Gaming device having concentric reels including an outer reel with display areas having different sizes and positions

• US 7,473,173 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Hecht, William L., Baerlocher, Anthony J., Peterson, Tonja M., Webb, Bayard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert E
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US10/945,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20050059478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,569 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463 20- 22, 463/25, 463/30, 463/46, 273/138.1, 273/142.R, 273/143.R, 273/143.A
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming device including a plurality of reel sets connected where at least one of the reel sets includes concentric reels having an inner reel and an outer reel. The inner reel includes a plurality of symbols and a plurality of symbol positions where at least two of the symbols are displayed by one of the symbol positions. The outer reel defines a plurality of different viewable areas where one of the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view at least one of the symbols through a first viewable area and a different number of the symbols through a second viewable area. A processor causes the inner reel and the outer reel to move and provides any outcome to the player based on any symbols displayed by the first viewable area or the second viewable area when the first or second viewable area is indicated on the outer reel.

Claims

1. A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a housing;

at least one display device supported by the housing, the at least one display device including;

(a) an inner reel including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of symbols, wherein at least one of the symbol positions includes a plurality of the symbols; and

(b) an outer reel defining a first viewable area and a second viewable area, the first viewable area being of a different size than the second viewable area, wherein the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view a first number of the symbols of the symbol position which includes a plurality of the symbols on the inner reel through the first viewable area and a different second number of the symbols of the symbol position which includes a plurality of the symbols on the inner reel through the second viewable area, the first and second numbers each being greater than zero, wherein the entire first viewable area is positioned on a first side of the outer reel to display the first number of the symbols of said symbol position which includes a plurality of the symbols, said displayed first number of the symbols being positioned on a first side of the inner reel,

wherein for one play of a game, the processor is programmed to cause the inner reel to move to display at least one of the symbols, cause the outer reel to move to indicate one of said first and second viewable areas on a payline, and cause the at least one display device to display an outcome based on any symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through one of;

(i) the first viewable area when the first viewable area is indicated on the payline such that if the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols is displayed, the outcome is based on the first number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols; and

(ii) the second viewable area when the second viewable area is indicated on the payline such that if the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols is displayed, the outcome is based on the different second number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of the inner reels and a plurality of the outer reels.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the symbol positions include a plurality of the symbols.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein all of the symbol positions include a plurality of the symbols.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second viewable area is positioned on a different second side of the outer reel to display a different second number of the symbols of said symbol position which includes a plurality of the symbols, said second symbol being positioned on the different second side of the inner reel.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one modifier associated with at least one of the first and second viewable areas.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of modifiers associated with at least one of the first and second viewable areas.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the inner reel and the outer reel are mechanical reels.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the outer reel to move to indicate one of the first and second viewable areas on at least one of a plurality of paylines.

10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein if one of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on any of the paylines, the outcome is based on any of the symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through the indicated one of the first and second viewable areas.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the outer reel includes at least one second symbol, and if the second symbol and one of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on the payline, the outcome is based on the second symbol and any of the symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of said indicated first and second viewable areas.

12. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel and at least one of the symbols on the inner reel are different.

13. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel and the symbols on the inner reel are different.

14. A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a housing;

at least one display device supported by the housing, the at least one display device including;

(a) an inner reel supported by the housing and including a plurality of symbols and a plurality of symbol positions, each of said symbol positions including at least two symbol locations, wherein each symbol location of at least one of the symbol positions includes one of the symbols; and

(b) an outer reel supported by the housing and defining a first viewable area and a second viewable area, the first viewable area sized to enable a player to view a first number of the symbol locations of the at least one symbol position including a symbol in each symbol location, the second viewable area being sized to enable the player to view a different second number of the symbol locations of the at least one symbol position including a symbol in each symbol location, the first and second numbers each being greater than zero, the outer reel being positionable to enable the player to;

(i) view the first number of the symbol locations of each symbol position through the first viewable area, and (ii) view the second number of the symbol locations of each symbol position through the second viewable area,

wherein for one play of a game, the processor is programmed to cause the inner reel to move to display a plurality of the symbol locations, cause the outer reel to move and indicate one of said first and second viewable areas on a payline and cause the at least one display device to display an outcome based at least in part on any symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through one of;

(i) the first viewable area when the first viewable area is indicated on the payline such that if the at least one symbol position including a symbol in each symbol location is displayed, the outcome is based on the first number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a symbol in each symbol location; and

(ii) the second viewable area when the second viewable area is indicated on the payline such that if the at least one symbol position including a symbol in each symbol location is displayed, the outcome is based on the different second number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a symbol in each symbol location.

15. The gaming device of claim 14, which includes a plurality of the inner reels and a plurality of the outer reels.

16. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein each of a plurality of the symbol positions includes at least one symbol in each of the symbol locations of said symbol positions.

17. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein each of the symbol locations of each of the symbol positions include at least one symbol.

18. The gaming device of claim 14, which includes at least one modifier associated with at least one of the first and second viewable areas.

19. The gaming device of claim 14, which includes a plurality of modifiers associated with at least one of the first and second viewable areas.

20. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the inner reel and the outer reel are mechanical reels.

21. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the outer reel to move to indicate at least one of the first and second viewable areas on any one of a plurality of paylines.

22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein if any of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on any one of the paylines, the outcome is based on any symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of said indicated first and second viewable areas.

23. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein if the second symbol and one of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on the payline, the outer reel includes at least one second symbol, and wherein the outcome is based on the second symbol and any of the symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of said indicated first and second viewable areas.

24. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel and at least one of the symbols on the inner reel are different.

25. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel and the symbols on the inner reel are different.

26. A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a housing;

at least one display device, the at least one display device including a plurality of reel sets rotatably connected to the housing, at least one of said reel sets including an inner reel and an outer reel which are aligned along the same axis of rotation, at least a portion of the outer reel overlapping the inner reel, said inner reel including a plurality of symbols positions, each of said symbol positions including at least one of a plurality of first symbols, at least one of said plurality of symbol positions including a plurality of said first symbols, said outer reel defining a first viewable area and a second viewable area, the first viewable area being of a different size than the second viewable area, the first viewable area sized to enable the player to view a first number of the symbols in the at least one symbol position including a plurality of said first symbols, the second viewable area sized to enable the player to view a different second number of the symbols in the at least one symbol position including a plurality of said first symbols, the first and second numbers each being greater than zero, wherein said outer reel is positionable to enable the player to view the first number of the first symbols of the inner reel in the symbol position including a plurality of said first symbols through the first viewable area, and the second number of the first symbols of the inner reel in the symbol position including a plurality of said first symbols through the second viewable area,

wherein, for one play of a game operable upon a wager, the processor is programmed to cause the inner reel to move to display at least one of the first symbols, cause the outer reel to move to indicate one of the first and second viewable areas on a payline, and cause the at least one display device to display an outcome based at least in part on any of the first symbols which are viewable through one of the first and second viewable areas when said one of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on the payline, wherein if the first viewable area is indicated on the payline and if the at least one symbol position including a plurality of said first symbols is displayed, said outcome is based on the first number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a plurality of said first symbols.

27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the outer reel includes a plurality of second symbols, and wherein if any of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on the payline, the outcome is based on any of the symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of said indicated first and second viewable areas.

28. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein at least one of the first symbols is different from at least one of the second symbols.

29. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein each of a plurality of the first symbols is different from each of a plurality of the second symbols.

30. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein each of the first symbols is different from each of the second symbols.

31. The gaming device of claim 26, which includes at least one modifier associated with at least one of the viewable areas.

32. The gaming device of claim 26, which includes a plurality of modifiers associated with at least one of the viewable areas.

33. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the outer reel to move to indicate at least one of the first and second viewable areas on at least one of a plurality of paylines.

34. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein if any of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on any of the paylines, the outcome is based on at least one of the first symbols, if any, which are viewable through any of said indicated first and second viewable areas.

35. A method for operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) displaying an inner reel including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of symbols, at least one of the symbol positions including a plurality of the symbols;

(b) displaying an outer reel including at least one modifier and defining a first viewable area and a second viewable area, the first viewable area sized to enable a player to view first number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols, the second viewable area sized to enable the player to view a different second number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols, the first and second numbers each being greater than zero, wherein the first viewable area is associated and aligned with the at least one modifier of the outer reel, wherein the outer reel is positionable to enable the player to view the first number of the symbols of the symbol position which includes a plurality of the symbols through the first viewable area and the different second number of the symbols of the symbol position which includes a plurality of the symbols through the second viewable area; and

(c) for one play of a game;

(i) moving the inner reel to display a plurality of the symbols;

(ii) moving the outer reel;

(iii) enabling the player to view the first number of the symbols on the inner reel when the first viewable area is indicated on a payline associated with the reels;

(iv) enabling the player to view the second number of the symbols on the inner reel when the second viewable area is indicated on the payline; and

(v) displaying an outcome based at least in part on any symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through one of the first and second viewable areas when said one of the first and second viewable areas is indicated on the payline, wherein if the first viewable area is indicated on the payline and if the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols is displayed, said outcome is based on the first number of the symbols of the at least one symbol position including a plurality of the symbols.

36. The method of claim 35, which includes associating at least one modifier with the second viewable area.

37. The method of claim 35, which includes associating a plurality of modifiers with at least one of the first and second viewable areas.

38. The method of claim 35, which includes associating a plurality of paylines with the reels.

39. The method of claim 38, which includes indicating at least one of the first and second viewable areas on any one of the plurality of paylines associated with the reels, wherein displaying the outcome includes displaying the outcome based on any symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of said indicated first and second viewable areas.

40. The method of claim 35, which includes providing at least one second symbol on the outer reel, wherein the outcome is based on at least one of the symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through one of the first and second viewable areas and the second symbol.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel and at least one of the symbols on the inner reel are different.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel and the symbols on the inner reel are different.

43. The method of claim 35, which includes operating the gaming device through a data network.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the data network is an internet.

45. A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a housing;

at least one display device;

an inner reel supported by the housing and including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of symbols, at least a designated one of the symbol positions including a plurality of the symbols; and

an outer reel supported by the housing and defining a plurality of viewable areas, said plurality of viewable areas including;

(a) a first viewable area positioned on a first side of the outer reel,

(b) a second viewable area positioned on a different second side of the outer reel, and

(c) a third viewable area, said third viewable area being of a different size than the first viewable area, and a different size than the second viewable area,

wherein the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view;

(i) a first one of the symbols of the designated symbol position through the first viewable area, said first symbol of the designated symbol position being positioned on a first side of the inner reel,

(ii) a different second one of the symbols of the designated symbol position through the second viewable area, said second symbol of the designated symbol position being positioned on a different second side of the inner reel, and

(iii) a designated plurality of the symbols of the designated symbol position through the third viewable area,

wherein for one play of a game, the processor is operable to cause the inner reel to move to display at least one of the symbols, cause the outer reel to move to indicate one of the plurality of viewable areas on a payline, and cause the at least one display device to display an outcome based on;

(a) the first symbol of the designated symbol position if the first viewable area is indicated on the payline and the designated symbol position is displayed,

(b) the second symbol of the designated symbol position if the second viewable area is indicated on the payline and the designated symbol position is displayed, and

(c) the designated plurality of the symbols of the designated symbol position if the third viewable area is indicated on the payline and the designated symbol position is displayed.

46. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes a plurality of the inner reels and a plurality of the outer reels.

47. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein a plurality of the symbol positions each include a plurality of the symbols.

48. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein all of the symbol positions include a plurality of the symbols.

49. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the plurality of symbols of the designated symbol position includes at least one of the first symbol of the designated symbol position and the second symbol of the designated symbol position.

50. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes at least one modifier associated with at least one of the plurality of viewable areas.

51. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes a plurality of modifiers associated with at least one of the plurality of viewable areas.

52. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the inner reel and the outer reel are mechanical reels.

53. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the processor is operable to cause the outer reel to move to indicate one of the plurality of viewable areas on one of a plurality of paylines and display an outcome based on:

(a) the first symbol of the designated symbol position if the first viewable area is indicated on one of the plurality of paylines and the designated symbol position is displayed,

(b) the second symbol of the designated symbol position if the second viewable area is indicated on one of the plurality of paylines and the designated symbol position is displayed, and

(c) the designated plurality of the symbols of the designated symbol position if the third viewable area is indicated on one of the plurality of paylines and the designated symbol position is displayed.

54. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein if any of the plurality of viewable areas is indicated on any one of the plurality of paylines, the outcome is based on at least one of the symbols, if any, of the inner reel which are viewable through the indicated first, second, and third viewable areas.

55. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the outer reel includes at least one second symbol, and if the at least one second symbol and any of the plurality of viewable areas is indicated on the payline, the outcome is based on the at least one second symbol and at least one of the symbols, if any, of the inner reel which are viewable through any indicated viewable area.

56. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the second symbol of the outer reel and at least one of the symbols of the inner reel are different.

57. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel is different from each of the symbols of the inner reel.

58. A method for operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) displaying an inner reel including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of symbols, at least a designated one of the symbol positions including a plurality of the symbols;

(b) displaying an outer reel defining a plurality of viewable areas, said plurality of viewable areas including;

(i) a first viewable area positioned on a first side of the outer reel,

(ii) a second viewable area positioned on a different second side of the outer reel, and

(iii) a third viewable area, said third viewable area being of a different size than the first viewable area, and a different size than the second viewable area,

wherein the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view;

(x) a first one of the symbols of the designated symbol position through the first viewable area, said first symbol of the designated symbol position being positioned on a first side of the inner reel,

(y) a different second one of the symbols of the designated symbol position through the second viewable area, said second symbol of the designated symbol position being positioned on a different second side of the inner reel, and

(z) a designated plurality of the symbols of the designated symbol position through the third viewable area;

(c) moving the inner reel to display at least one of the symbols;

(d) moving the outer reel to indicate one of the plurality of viewable areas on a payline; and

(e) displaying an outcome based on;

(i) the first symbol of the designated symbol position when the first viewable area is indicated on the payline and the designated symbol position is displayed,

(ii) the second symbol of the designated symbol position when the second viewable area is indicated on the payline and the designated symbol position is displayed, and

(iii) the designated plurality of the symbols of the designated symbol position when the third viewable area is indicated on the payline and the designated symbol position is displayed.

59. The method of claim 58, which includes associating at least one modifier with at least one of the viewable areas.

60. The method of claim 58, which includes associating a plurality of modifiers with at least one of the viewable areas.

61. The method of claim 58, which includes associating a plurality of paylines with the inner and outer reels.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein displaying the outcome includes indicating any one of the viewable areas on any one of the paylines, and displaying the outcome based on any symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of said indicated viewable areas.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein moving the inner reel and moving the outer reel include moving the inner and outer reels in the same direction.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein moving the inner reel and moving the outer reel include moving the inner and outer reels in different directions.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein moving the inner reel and moving the outer reel include simultaneously moving the inner and outer reels.

66. The method of claim 58, wherein of moving the inner reel and moving the outer reel include moving the inner and outer reels sequentially.

67. The method of claim 58, which includes displaying a second symbol on the outer reel, wherein the outcome is based on the second symbol and any of the symbols of the inner reel which are viewable through any of the viewable areas.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel is different from at least one of the symbols on the inner.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the second symbol on the outer reel is different from each of the symbols on the inner reel.

70. The method of claim 58, which includes operating the gaming device through a data network.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the data network is an interne.