Gaming using terminating roaming wild positions

• US 7,396,279 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Lamb, Jacob, Martin, Adam, Berman, Bradley, Strand, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II; John M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIERCE, DAMON JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/939,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20060058095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/18, 463/25, 463/9, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A display grid includes a plurality of grid positions that are presented to a game player. One or more grid positions of the plurality of grid positions are defined as termination positions. One or more wild symbols are moved to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols using a random process. Winning results are determined using a pay table, based on both the one or more wild symbols and the symbols presented at the grid positions not associated with the one or more wild symbols after a spin. Random movement of the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols is repeated until the one or more (or all) wild symbols move to the termination positions.

Claims

1. A gaming method, comprising:

(a) displaying a display grid including a plurality of grid positions to a player;

(b) defining one or more grid positions of the plurality of grid positions as termination positions;

(c) originating one or more wild symbols from the termination positions;

(d) moving the one or more wild symbols to respective ones of the plurality of grid positions;

(e) generating symbols in the grid positions not occupied by the one or more wild symbols;

(f) awarding the player in accordance with a pay table and based on the generated symbols and the one or more wild symbols; and

(g) repeating steps (d) to (g) until the one or more wild symbols move to the one or more termination positions.

2. The method of claim 1, which includes repeating (d) to (g) until all of the one or more wild symbols move to the one or more termination positions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a center grid position is defined as the termination position.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid position to an adjacent grid position between successive generations of the symbols, until the at least one of the one or more wild symbols are moved to the termination positions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid position to an adjacent grid position according to a rule set.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid position to an adjacent grid position between successive generations of the symbols until the at least one of the one or more wild symbols are moved to the termination positions, the probability of a number of repetitions determined using an explicit probability distribution controlling the movement of the one or more wild symbols.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid position to a non-adjacent grid position between successive generations of the symbols until the at least one of the one or more wild symbols are moved to the termination positions, the probability of a number of repetitions determined using one or more movement rules controlling the movement of the one or more wild symbols.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid position to an adjacent grid position between successive generations of the symbols until the one or more wild symbols are moved to the termination positions, the probability of a number of repetitions determined using one or more movement rules controlling the movement of the one or more wild symbols.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more movement rules include eliminating from consideration at least one position otherwise available for a move.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more movement rules include randomly eliminating from consideration at least one position otherwise available for a move.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more movement rules include randomly eliminating from consideration at least one position away from the termination position that would otherwise be available for a move.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more movement rules include eliminating from consideration for a move any position that is currently occupied by a wild symbol.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more movement rules include never eliminating from consideration a move to the termination position after the first move.

14. A gaming method, comprising:

(a) defining a bonus event trigger;

(b) displaying a display grid including a plurality of grid positions to a player;

(c) generating symbols in each of the grid positions as a base game for each play by the player, until occurrence of the bonus event trigger;

(d) entering into a bonus game after occurrence of the bonus event trigger;

(e) defining one position of the plurality of positions as a termination position;

(f) originating a first wild symbol from the termination position, the first wild symbol moving to one of the plurality of grid positions;

(g) generating symbols in the grid positions not occupied by the first wild symbol;

(h) awarding the player according to a pay table based on the generated symbols and the first wild symbol;

(i) moving the first wild symbol to a subsequent one of the plurality of grid positions;

(j) repeating steps (g) to (j) until the first wild symbol moves back to the termination position; and

(k) returning the player to the base game.

15. The method of claim 14, including:

originating a second wild symbol from the termination position, the second wild symbol moving to one of the plurality of grid positions; and

moving the second wild symbol to subsequent grid positions.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid positions to adjacent grid positions between successive events until the first and second wild symbols are both moved to the termination position, wherein each event involves the generating of the symbols in the grid positions and a consequent awarding to the player.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second wild symbols are repeatedly moved from their current grid position to an adjacent grid position using a rule set.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first wild symbol is repeatedly moved from its current grid position to an adjacent grid position between successive events, including the symbol generations and the awarding the player, until the first wild symbol is moved to the termination position, wherein the probability of a number of repetitions is determined using an explicit probability distribution controlling the movement of the first wild symbol.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first wild symbol is repeatedly moved from its current grid position to an adjacent grid position between successive events, including the symbol generations and the awarding the player, until the first wild symbol is moved to the termination position, wherein the probability of a number of repetitions is determined using one or more movement rules controlling the movement of the first wild symbol.

20. The method claim 19, wherein the one or more movement rules include eliminating from consideration at least one position otherwise available for a move.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more movement rules include randomly eliminating from consideration at least one position otherwise available for a move.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more movement rules include randomly eliminating from consideration at least one position away from the termination position that would otherwise be available for a move.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more movement rules include eliminating from consideration for a move any position that is currently occupied by the first or second wild symbol.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more movement rules include never eliminating from consideration a move to the termination position after the first move.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more movement rules include removing possible moves based on a wild symbol'"'"'s current grid position.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein a center grid position is defined as the termination position.

27. A gaming method, comprising:

(a) displaying a display grid having a plurality of grid positions to a player;

(b) defining one or more grid positions of the plurality of grid positions as termination positions;

(c) originating one or more wild symbols from the termination positions, the one or more wild symbols moving to one of the plurality of grid positions;

(d) randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols;

(e) determining winning results using the one or more wild symbols and symbols generated at the grid positions not associated with the one or more wild symbols; and

(f) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the one or more wild symbols move to the one or more termination positions.

28. The gaming method of claim 27, further including randomly changing the symbols associated with the grid positions not associated with the one or more wild symbols for each move of the wild symbols.

29. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving one or more wild symbols includes distinguishing one or more grid positions as respective wild positions relative to the remaining grid positions.

30. The gaming method of claim 29, wherein distinguishing one or more grid positions includes highlighting the one or more wild positions relative to the remaining grid positions.

31. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving one or more wild symbols includes randomly moving a visually perceivable wild image to the proximate grid positions to cause the proximate grid positions to serve as respective wild positions.

32. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions adjacent to the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbol.

33. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions within a predetermined number of grid positions relative to the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols.

34. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein the display grid includes generated symbols of a mechanical reel arrangement, and wherein randomly moving one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes distinguishing the positions of the generated symbols from the positions of the remaining positions of the mechanical reel arrangement.

35. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein the display grid includes an electronic display grid, and wherein randomly moving one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes visually moving a visually perceivable wild image to electronic grid positions proximate the electronic grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols.

36. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein the one or more wild symbols are originated from the termination positions.

37. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein one or more movement rules are used to randomly eliminate from consideration at least one position that would otherwise be available for a move during the random movement of the one or more wild symbols.

38. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein the one or more wild symbols are moved for a number of repetitions before moving to the termination position, the probability of the number of repetitions determined using one or more movement rules controlling the movement of the one or more wild symbols.

39. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein the winning results include paylines formed from one or more combinations of the symbols and the one or more wild symbols.

40. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein one or more of the termination positions serve as a wild position.

41. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein the termination position includes a home position.

42. The gaming method of claim 27, including determining winning paylines using the one or more wild symbols and the symbols generated in the grid positions not occupied by the one or more wild symbols.

43. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein a single termination position serves as a home position for a plurality of moving wild symbols.

44. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions adjacent the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols.

45. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions vertically adjacent, horizontally adjacent, or diagonally adjacent to the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols.

46. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the grid positions associated with the one or more wild symbols includes randomly moving the one or more wild symbols to grid positions within a predetermined number of grid positions from current grid positions of the one or more wild symbols.

47. The gaming method of claim 27, wherein movement of the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the wild symbol'"'"'s current grid position includes presenting an animated movement of the one or more wild symbols to grid positions proximate the wild symbol'"'"'s current grid position.

48. A casino gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity having at least a standard mode of operation and a bonus mode of operation, the casino gaming apparatus comprising:

a display device configured to display a display grid having a plurality of grid positions;

a user interface to facilitate player participation in at least the standard mode of operation; and

a processor configured to operate with the display device and user interface to;

(a) enter a bonus mode of operation in response to a predetermined symbol combination occurring during the standard mode of operation;

(b) define a grid position of the plurality of grid positions as a termination position;

(c) originate a wild symbol from the termination position;

(d) move the wild symbol to one of the plurality of grid positions;

(e) generate symbols in each of the grid positions not occupied by the one or more wild symbols

(f) award the player according to a pay table based on the symbols generated, and

(g) repeat steps (d) to (g) until the one or more wild symbols move to the termination position.

49. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor includes a random number generator configured to randomly select the symbols for generation in the display grid.

50. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the casino gaming apparatus includes a slot machine, and the standard mode of operation of the slot machine is a slot game.

51. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the casino gaming apparatus includes a video poker machine, and the standard mode of operation of the video poker machine is a poker game.

52. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the casino gaming apparatus includes a video bingo machine, and the standard mode of operation of the video bingo machine is a bingo game.

53. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the casino gaming apparatus includes a video keno machine, and the standard mode of operation of the video keno machine is a keno game.

54. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured to originate the one or more wild symbols from the termination position before moving the one or more wild symbols to one of the plurality of grid positions.

55. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured to recognize the center grid position as the termination position.

56. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor repeatedly moves the one or more wild symbols from its current grid position to an adjacent grid position between successive generations of symbols and awardings of the player until the one or more wild symbols are moved to the termination position.

57. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor moves a second wild symbol to one of the plurality of grid positions between repetitions of successive generations of symbols, the second wild symbol terminating upon its movement to the termination position.

58. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 57, wherein the processor is configured to originate both the wild symbol and the second wild symbol from the termination position.

59. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured to apply a rule set to repeatedly move the one or more wild symbols from their current grid position to an adjacent grid position between subsequent generations of symbols and subsequent awardings of the player.

60. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured to employ an explicit probability distribution to repeatedly move the one or more wild symbols from their current grid positions to an adjacent grid position between subsequent generations of symbols and corresponding awardings to the player, wherein the probability of a number of repetitions is determined using the explicit probability distribution.

61. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured to employ a rule set to repeatedly move the one or more wild symbols from their current grid positions to adjacent grid positions between successive generations of symbols and corresponding awardings of the player, wherein the probability of a number of repetitions is determined using one or more movement rules from the rule set.

62. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 61, wherein the one or more movement rules include eliminating from consideration at least one position otherwise available for a move.

63. The casino gaming apparatus claim 61, wherein the one or more movement rules include randomly eliminating from consideration at least one position otherwise available for a move.

64. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 61, wherein the one or more movement rules include randomly eliminating from consideration at least one position away from the termination position that would otherwise be available for a move.

65. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 61, wherein the one or more movement rules include eliminating from consideration for a move any position that is currently occupied by a wild symbol.

66. The casino gaming apparatus of claim 61, wherein the one or more movement rules include never eliminating from consideration a move to the termination position after the first move.

67. A slot machine comprising:

a display device configured to display a display grid including a plurality of grid positions to a player; and

a processor configured to operate with the display device to;

(a) define one or more grid positions of the plurality of grid positions as a termination position;

(b) display one or more wild symbols originating from the one or more termination positions;

(c) display the one or more wild symbols moving to one of the plurality of grid positions;

(d) generate symbols in each of the grid positions not occupied by the one or more wild symbols;

(e) display an award to the player according to a pay table based on the one or more wild symbols and the symbols generated; and

(f) repeat steps (c) to (f) until the one or more wild symbols move to the one or more termination positions.

68. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for executing a moving wild home termination bonus event in a slot game, the computer-executable instructions performing steps comprising:

(a) displaying a display grid including a plurality of grid positions to a player;

(b) defining one or more grid positions of the plurality of grid positions as a termination position;

(c) moving one or more wild symbols to respective ones of the plurality of grid positions;

(d) generating symbols in each of the grid positions not occupied by the one or more wild symbols;

(e) awarding the player according to a pay table based on the symbols generated and the one or more wild symbols displayed; and

(f) repeating steps (c) to (f) until the one or more wild symbols move to the one or more termination positions.