Gaming device and method for enhancing the issuance or transfer of an award

• US 6,769,985 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Laakso, Jeffrey P., Kaminkow, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/583,482
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25, 463/20, 463/1, 463/31, 463/16, 463/17, 463/35, 463/26, 463/27, 463/12, 463/28, 463/29, 463/40, 463/42, 463/46, 463/47, 463/13, 273/237, 273/274, 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/142.A, 273/142.B, 273/142.C, 273/142.D, 273/138.2, 273/148.R, 273/148.B, 273/454, 273/459, 273/460, 273/143.R, 700/90, 700/91, 700/82
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars

Abstract

The present invention provides a gaming device and method for enhancing an award or a transfer of a plurality of credits. The gaming device and method initially displays one or more audio and visual signals as the device begins to transfer gaming device credits. At certain points, preferably in accordance with the gaming device theme, the device selectively adds one or more visual and audio signals to the original display, as the device transfers more and more credits. The method of adding consecutive layers of sound and visual displays creates denser, richer and more complex displays that associates with larger amounts of accumulated credits. The method contemplates basing the set points on a predetermined amount of time, or a percentage of total credits transferred or on a number of credits transferred. Preferably, when the final credit is issued, the gaming device and method provides a final sound and visual display, which terminates the previously built up layers and brings the credit accumulation to its conclusion.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing the transfer of an award, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transferring a plurality of credits;

(b) sequentially producing a plurality of initial sounds during the transfer of the credits;

(c) concurrently sequentially producing a plurality of additional sounds during the transfer of the credits after a predetermined set-point while continuing to sequentially produce the plurality of initial sounds, the initial and additional sounds signaling a longer transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial sounds are produced; and

(d) terminating the production of the initial and additional sounds at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring a plurality of credits includes transferring a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring a plurality of credits includes transferring a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring a plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after winning a base game.

5. The method of claim 1, which further includes repeating step (c) for a plurality of set points.

6. The method of claim 1, which further includes displaying a visual display associated with the transfer of the credits.

7. The method of claim 6, which further includes concurrently displaying a plurality of additional visual displays after the predetermined set point.

8. The method of claim 7, which includes repeating the step of concurrently displaying a plurality of additional visual displays for a plurality of predetermined set points.

9. The method of claim 8, which includes terminating the displaying of the visual displays.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined amount of time.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined percentage of credits are transferred.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined number of credits are transferred.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of terminating the production of the sounds includes terminating the production of the sounds upon transferring a final credit.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of terminating the production of the sounds includes terminating the production of the sounds after a predetermined period of time.

15. A method for enhancing the transfer of an award, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transferring a plurality of credits;

(b) displaying an initial visual display during the transfer of the credits;

(c) concurrently displaying an additional visual display during the transfer of the credits after a predetermined set-point while continuing to display the initial visual display, the initial and additional visual displays signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial visual display is provided; and

(d) terminating the displaying of the initial and additional visual displays at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the visual displays are animated.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the visual displays are static.

18. The method of claim 15, which further includes repeating step (c) for a plurality of set points.

19. The method of claim 15, which further includes producing a plurality of sounds associated with the transfer of the credits.

20. The method of claim 19, which further includes concurrently producing a plurality of additional sounds after the predetermined set point.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined amount of time.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined percentage of credits are transferred.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined number of credits are transferred.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of terminating the displaying of the visual displays includes terminating the displaying of the visual displays upon said transferring of a final credit.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of terminating the displaying of the visual displays includes terminating the displaying of the visual displays after a predetermined period of time.

26. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a speaker connected to the processor; and

a memory device for storing a program which is accessible by the processor, wherein the processor is operative with the program and the speaker to;

transfer a plurality of credits,

sequentially produce a plurality of initial sounds during the transfer of said credits,

concurrently sequentially produce a plurality of additional sounds after a predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to sequentially produce the initial sounds, the initial and additional sounds signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial sounds are produced, and

terminate the production of the initial and additional sounds at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

28. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

29. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after winning a base game.

30. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the set-point is a predetermined amount of time during the transfer of credits.

31. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the set-point is a predetermined percentage of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

32. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the set-point is a predetermined number of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

33. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a video monitor connected to the processor; and

a memory device for storing a program which is accessible by the processor, wherein the processor is operative with the program and the video monitor to;

transfer a plurality of credits,

display an initial visual display during the transfer of credits,

concurrently display an additional visual display after a predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to display said initial visual display, the initial and additional visual displays signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial visual display is provided, and

terminate the display of the initial and additional visual displays at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

34. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

35. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

36. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after winning a base game.

37. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the set-point is a predetermined amount of time during the transfer of credits.

38. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the set-point is a predetermined percentage of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

39. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the set-point is a predetermined number of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

40. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a speaker connected to the processor;

a video monitor connected to the processor; and

a memory device for storing a program which is accessible by the processor, wherein the processor is operative with the program, the speaker and the video monitor to;

transfer a plurality of credits,

sequentially produce an initial plurality of sounds during the transfer of credits,

display an initial visual display during the transfer of credits,

concurrently sequentially produce a plurality of additional sounds after a first predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to produce said initial sounds,

concurrently display an additional visual display after a second predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to produce said initial visual display, the initial and additional sounds and the initial and additional visual displays signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial sounds and visual display are provided, and

terminate the production of the initial and additional sounds and the display of the initial and additional visual displays at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

41. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein the first predetermined set point and the second predetermined set point are the same.

42. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein the first predetermined set point and the second predetermined set point are different.

43. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

44. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

45. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after winning a base game.

46. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein at least one set-point is a predetermined amount of time during the transfer of credits.

47. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein at least one set-point is a predetermined percentage of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

48. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein at least one set-point is a predetermined number of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

49. A method for enhancing the transfer of an award in a gaming device having a base game operable upon a wager by a player, said method comprising:

(a) transferring a plurality of credits;

(b) sequentially and repeatingly producing at least one initial sound during the transfer of the credits;

(c) concurrently sequentially and repeating producing a plurality of additional sound during the transfer of the credits after a predetermined set-point while continuing to sequentially and repeatingly produce said at least one initial sound, the initial and additional sounds signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial sounds are produced; and

(d) terminating the production of the initial and additional sounds at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein transferring a plurality of credits includes transferring a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein transferring a plurality of credits includes transferring a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein transferring a plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after a win in the base game.

53. The method of claim 49, which further includes repeating step (c) for a plurality of set points.

54. The method of claim 49, which further includes displaying a visual display associated with the transfer of the credits.

55. The method of claim 54, which further includes concurrently displaying a plurality of additional visual displays after the predetermined set point.

56. The method of claim 55, which includes repeating the step of concurrently displaying a plurality of additional visual displays for a plurality of predetermined set points.

57. The method of claim 56, which includes terminating the displaying of the visual displays.

58. The method of claim 49, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined amount of time.

59. The method of claim 49, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined percentage of credits are transferred.

60. The method of claim 49, wherein the set-point occurs after a predetermined number of credits are transferred.

61. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of terminating the production of the sounds includes terminating the production of the sounds upon transferring a final credit.

62. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of terminating the production of the sounds includes terminating the production of the sounds after a predetermined period of time.

63. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a speaker connected to the processor; and

a memory device for storing a program which is accessible by the processor, wherein the processor is operative with the program and the speaker to;

transfer a plurality of credits,

sequentially produce and repeat at least one initial sound during the transfer of said credits,

concurrently sequentially produce and repeat-a plurality of additional different sounds after a predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to sequentially produce and repeat said at least one initial sound, the initial and additional sounds signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only the initial sounds are produced, and

terminate the production of the initial and additional sounds at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

64. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

65. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

66. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after winning a base game.

67. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the set-point is a predetermined amount of time during the transfer of credits.

68. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the set-point is a predetermined percentage of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

69. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the set-point is a predetermined number of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

70. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a speaker connected to the processor;

a video monitor connected to the processor; and

a memory device for storing a program which is accessible by the processor, wherein the processor is operative with the program, the speaker and the video monitor to;

transfer a plurality of credits,

sequentially produce and repeat at least one initial sound during the transfer of credits,

display an initial visual display during the transfer of credits,

concurrently sequentially produce and repeat a plurality of additional sounds after a first predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to sequentially produce and repeat said at least one initial sound,

concurrently display an additional visual display after a second predetermined set point during the transfer of said credits while continuing to display said initial visual display, the initial and additional sounds and the initial and additional visual displays signaling a longer credit transfer than a credit transfer that occurs while only any initial sounds and visual display are provided, and

terminate the production of the initial and additional sounds and the display of the initial and additional visual displays at a time proximate to a completion of the transfer of credits.

71. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein the first predetermined set point and the second predetermined set point are the same.

72. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein the first predetermined set point and the second predetermined set point are different.

73. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a bonus award to a plurality of base game credits.

74. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes the transfer of a plurality of base game credits to a plurality of coins or tokens.

75. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein the transfer of the plurality of credits includes issuing a plurality of base game credits after winning a base game.

76. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein at least one set-point is a predetermined amount of time during the transfer of credits.

77. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein at least one set-point is a predetermined percentage of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.

78. The gaming device of claim 70, wherein at least one set-point is a predetermined number of credits transferred during the transfer of credits.