Slot machine with an additional payout indicator

• US 6,827,646 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Adams, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US10/243,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 273/143.R, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/142.R, 273/142.H, 463/20, 463/16, 463/1
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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

Gaming devices comprising a standard gaming unit, e.g., three reels, and a discernible additional payout indicator, e.g., a rotatable wheel. A preferred bonus payout indicator is clearly visible by the player and is actuatable when the reels of the slot machine stop on certain predetermined indicia. A preferred embodiment further comprises a payout multiplier which displays a plurality of values by which a payout may be multiplied.

Claims

1. A slot machine, comprising:

a value-input device;

a first slot machine reel having a plurality of first reel symbols disposed thereon;

a second slot machine reel having a plurality of second reel symbols disposed thereon;

a third slot machine reel having a plurality of third reel symbols disposed thereon;

a movable mechanical payout indicator comprising a rotatable wheel payout indicator having a face, said rotatable wheel payout indicator being rotatable about an axis that passes through said rotatable wheel payout indicator,

one of said first, second and third slot machine reels being rotatable about an axis that is not parallel to said axis about which said rotatable wheel payout indicator is rotatable;

a plurality of circumferentially arranged payout areas comprising a first payout area, a second payout area, and a third payout area, said circumferentially arranged payout areas being disposed on said face of said rotatable wheel payout indicator around said axis about which said rotatable wheel payout indicator is rotatable;

a plurality of payout amount symbols disposed on said rotatable wheel payout indicator in said payout areas, said payout amount symbols including a first payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said first payout area, a second payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said second payout area, and a third payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said third payout area;

a random generator that randomly selects a payout amount;

a control unit operatively coupled to said random generator, said control unit comprising a motor and being operatively coupled to said rotatable wheel payout indicator, and

an actuator button that, upon actuation by a player, causes said rotatable wheel payout indicator to rotate,

said actuator button being placed in an operative state after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to the player,

said control unit gradually reducing a rotational rate of said rotatable wheel payout indicator before said rotatable wheel payout indicator stops,

based on an action performed by said random generator, after said payout amount has been selected, said control unit then causing said rotatable wheel payout indicator to stop at a stop position based on said selected payout amount.

2. A slot machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotatable wheel payout indicator is rotated after display of a winning indicia set of said reel symbols.

3. A slot machine, comprising:

a value-input device;

a plurality of first reel symbols;

a plurality of second reel symbols;

a plurality of third reel symbols;

a movable mechanical payout indicator comprising a rotatable wheel payout indicator having a face, said rotatable wheel payout indicator being rotatable about an axis that passes through said rotatable wheel payout indicator,

a plurality of circumferentially arranged payout areas comprising a first payout area, a second payout area, and a third payout area, said circumferentially arranged payout areas being disposed on said face of said rotatable wheel payout indicator around said axis;

a plurality of payout amount symbols disposed on said rotatable wheel payout indicator in said payout areas, said payout amount symbols including a first payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said first payout area, a second payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said second payout area, and a third payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said third payout area,

a random generator that randomly selects a payout amount; and

a control unit operatively coupled to said random generator, said control unit comprising a motor and being operatively coupled to said rotatable wheel payout indicator,

said rotatable wheel payout indicator being rotated after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to a player,

based on an action performed by said random generator, after said payout amount has been selected, said control unit then causing said rotatable wheel payout indicator to stop at a stop position based on said selected payout amount.

4. A slot machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said selected payout amount corresponds to a payout amount indicated by one of said payout amount symbols.

5. A slot machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said rotatable wheel payout indicator is rotated after display of a winning indicia set of said reel symbols.

6. A slot machine as defined in claim 3 additionally comprising a fourth payout area circumferentially arranged about said axis and a fourth payout amount symbol disposed in said fourth payout area.

7. A slot machine as defined in claim 6 wherein all payout amount symbols disposed on said rotatable wheel payout indicator are simultaneously visible to the player.

8. A slot machine as defined in claim 3 additionally comprising:

a first slot machine reel that is rotatable;

a second slot machine reel that is rotatable; and

a third slot machine reel that is rotatable,

wherein said plurality of first reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said first slot machine reel,

wherein said plurality of second reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said second slot machine reel, and

wherein said plurality of third reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said third slot machine reel.

9. A slot machine as defined in claim 8 wherein one of said first, second and third slot machine reels is rotatable about an axis that is not parallel to said axis about which said rotatable wheel payout indicator is rotatable.

10. A slot machine as defined in claim 3 additionally comprising an actuator button that, upon actuation by the player, causes said rotatable wheel payout indicator to rotate, said actuator button being placed in an operative state after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to the player.

11. A slot machine, comprising:

a value-input device;

a plurality of first reel symbols;

a plurality of second reel symbols;

a plurality of third reel symbols;

a payout indicator that is movable about an axis;

a plurality of payout areas comprising a first payout area, a second payout area, and a third payout area, said payout areas being circumferentially arranged about said axis;

a plurality of payout amount symbols disposed in said payout areas, said payout amount symbols including a first payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said first payout area, a second payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said second payout area, and a third payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said third payout area;

a random generator that randomly selects a payout amount; and

a control unit operatively coupled to said random generator and to said movable payout indicator,

an actuator button that, upon actuation by a player, causes said movable payout indicator to move,

said actuator button being placed in an operative state after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to the player,

based on an action performed by said random generator, after said payout amount has been selected, said control unit then causing said movable payout indicator to stop at a stop position based on said selected payout amount.

12. A slot machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said selected payout amount corresponds to a payout amount indicated by one of said payout amount symbols.

13. A slot machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a movable mechanical member and wherein said control unit comprises a motor.

14. A slot machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a rotatable wheel and wherein said control unit comprises a motor.

15. A slot machine as defined in claim 11 additionally comprising:

a first slot machine reel that is rotatable;

a second slot machine reel that is rotatable; and

a third slot machine reel that is rotatable,

wherein said plurality of first reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said first slot machine reel,

wherein said plurality of second reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said second slot machine reel, and

wherein said plurality of third reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said third slot machine reel.

16. A slot machine as defined in claim 15 wherein one of said first, second and third slot machine reels is rotatable about an axis that is not parallel to said axis about which said movable payout indicator is movable.

17. A slot machine, comprising:

a value-input device;

a plurality of first reel symbols;

a plurality of second reel symbols;

a plurality of third reel symbols;

a payout indicator that is movable about an axis;

a plurality of payout areas comprising a first payout area, a second payout area, and a third payout area, said payout areas being circumferentially arranged about said axis;

a plurality of payout amount symbols disposed in said payout areas, said payout amount symbols including a first payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said first payout area, a second payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said second payout area, and a third payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said third payout area;

a random generator that randomly selects a payout amount; and

a control unit operatively coupled to said random generator and to said movable payout indicator.

said movable payout indicator being moved after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to a player,

based on an action performed by said random generator, after said payout amount has been selected, said control unit then causing said movable payout indicator to stop at a stop position based on said selected payout amount.

18. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 wherein said selected payout amount corresponds to a payout amount indicated by one of said payout amount symbols.

19. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a movable mechanical member and wherein said control unit comprises a motor.

20. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a rotatable wheel and wherein said control unit comprises a motor.

21. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 wherein said movable payout indicator is moved after display of a winning indicia set of said reel symbols.

22. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 additionally comprising a fourth payout area circumferentially arranged about said axis and a fourth payout amount symbol disposed in said fourth payout area.

23. A slot machine as defined in claim 22 wherein all payout amount symbols are simultaneously visible to the player.

24. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 additionally comprising:

a first slot machine reel that is rotatable;

a second slot machine reel that is rotatable; and

a third slot machine reel that is rotatable,

wherein said plurality of first reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said first slot machine reel,

wherein said plurality of second reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said second slot machine reel, and

wherein said plurality of third reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said third slot machine reel.

25. A slot machine as defined in claim 24 wherein one of said first, second and third slot machine reels is rotatable about an axis that is not parallel to said axis about which said movable payout indicator is movable.

26. A slot machine as defined in claim 17 additionally comprising an actuator button that, upon actuation by the player, causes said movable payout indicator to move.

27. A slot machine, comprising:

a value-input device;

a plurality of first reel symbols;

a plurality of second reel symbols;

a plurality of third reel symbols;

a mechanical member that is movable about an axis;

a plurality of payout areas comprising a first payout area, a second payout area, and a third payout area, said payout areas being circumferentially arranged about said axis;

a plurality of payout amount symbols disposed in said payout areas, said payout amount symbols including a first payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said first payout area, a second payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said second payout area, and a third payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said third payout area;

a random generator that randomly selects a payout amount;

a control unit operatively coupled to said random generator, said control unit comprising a motor and being operatively coupled to said movable mechanical member; and

an actuator button that, upon actuation by a player, causes said movable mechanical member to move,

said actuator button being placed in an operative state after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to the player,

based on an action performed by said random generator after said payout amount has been selected, said control unit then causing said movable mechanical member to stop at a stop position based on said selected payout amount.

28. A slot machine as defined in claim 27 wherein said movable mechanical member comprises a rotatable wheel.

29. A slot machine as defined in claim 27 wherein said movable mechanical member is moved after display of a winning indicia set of said reel symbols.

30. A slot machine as defined in claim 27 additionally comprising a fourth payout area circumferentially arranged about said axis and a fourth payout amount symbol disposed in said fourth payout area.

31. A slot machine as defined in claim 30 wherein all payout amount symbols are simultaneously visible to the player.

32. A slot machine as defined in claim 27 additionally comprising:

a first slot machine reel that is rotatable;

a second slot machine reel that is rotatable; and

a third slot machine reel that is rotatable,

wherein said plurality of first reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said first slot machine reel,

wherein said plurality of second reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said second slot machine reel, and

wherein said plurality of third reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said third slot machine reel.

33. A slot machine as defined in claim 32 wherein one of said first, second and third slot machine reels is rotatable about an axis that is not parallel to said axis about which said movable mechanical member is movable.

34. A slot machine, comprising:

a value-input device;

a plurality of first reel symbols;

a plurality of second reel symbols;

a plurality of third reel symbols;

a mechanical member that is movable about an axis;

a plurality of payout areas comprising a first payout area, a second payout area, and a third payout area, said payout areas being circumferentially arranged about said axis;

a plurality of payout amount symbols disposed in said payout areas, said payout amount symbols including a first payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said first payout area, a second payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said second payout area, and a third payout amount symbol comprising a numeral disposed in said third payout area;

a random generator that randomly selects a payout amount; and

a control unit operatively coupled to said random generator, said control unit comprising a motor and being operatively coupled to said movable mechanical member,

said movable mechanical member being moved after a plurality of said reel symbols are displayed to a player,

based on an action performed by said random generator, after said payout amount has been selected, said control unit then causing said movable mechanical member to stop at a stop position based on said selected payout amount.

35. A slot machine as defined in claim 34 wherein said movable mechanical member comprises a rotatable wheel.

36. A slot machine as defined in claim 34 wherein said movable mechanical member is moved after display of a winning indicia set of said reel symbols.

37. A slot machine as defined in claim 34 additionally comprising a fourth payout area circumferentially arranged about said axis and a fourth payout amount symbol disposed in said fourth payout area.

38. A slot machine as defined in claim 37 wherein all payout amount symbols are simultaneously visible to the player.

39. A slot machine as defined in claim 34 additionally comprising:

a first slot machine reel that is rotatable;

a second slot machine reel that is rotatable; and

a third slot machine reel that is rotatable.

wherein said plurality of first reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said first slot machine reel,

wherein said plurality of second reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said second slot machine reel, and

wherein said plurality of third reel symbols are disposed on a circumferential surface of said third slot machine reel.

40. A slot machine as defined in claim 39 wherein one of said first, second and third slot machine reels is rotatable about an axis that is not parallel to said axis about which said movable mechanical member is movable.

41. A slot machine as defined in claim 34 additionally comprising an actuator button that, upon actuation by the player, causes said movable mechanical member to move.

42. A slot machine as defined in claim 34 said control unit gradually reduces a rotational rate of said rotatable wheel payout indicator before said rotatable wheel payout indicator stops.