Bonus game

• US 7,601,058 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Slomiany, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan; James S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pandya; Sunit
• Application Number:
  US10/890,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20040248639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,917 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 22
• US Class Current: 463/16
• 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: 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 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• 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 game for a gaming machine having a plurality of different items to be selected by a player, each item having a value in an amount preset for a given bonus round, and a respective initial quantity in a preset amount. The player selects an item, such as one of many items for purchase in a store, and the value for that item is registered, along with subtraction of a unit from the quantity of that item. Provided that the quantity for that item selected is not then zero, the player continues to select another item, with registration of the value for that item and subtraction until an item is selected thereby having a zero quantity.

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising:

a display device;

an input device;

a processor; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with said display device and said input device to control each play of a game by;

(a) causing one of a plurality of different selections to be picked, wherein at least one of said selections may be picked a plurality of times and prior to any of the selections being picked;

(i) each of said selections is associated with a quantity of outcomes that starts at an initial quantity of outcomes,

(ii) at least one of said initial quantities of outcomes is unknown to a player,

(iii) at least one of said initial quantities of outcomes is greater than one, and

(iv) at least two of said initial quantities of outcomes are different;

(b) displaying the outcome associated with said picked selection;

(c) providing each of the revealed outcomes to the player;

(d) reducing the quantity of outcomes associated with said picked selection prior to and independent of another one of said selections being picked; and

(e) repeating steps (a) to (d) until the reduced quantity of outcomes associated with one of said picked selections is a designated quantity of outcomes.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein prior to any one of the selections being picked, a plurality of said initial quantities of outcomes are each greater than one.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein prior to any one of the selections being picked, each of said initial quantities of outcomes is greater than one.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said designated quantity of outcomes is zero.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to control the play of the game by revealing to the player the initial quantity of outcomes associated with at least one of said selections before any of said selections are picked.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to control the play of the game by revealing to the player the outcome associated with at least one of said selections before any of said selections are picked.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to control the play of said game by enabling the player to pick said selections.

8. A gaming device comprising:

a display device;

an input device;

a processor; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with said display device and said input device to control each play of a game by;

(a) causing one of a plurality of different selections to be picked, wherein at least one of said selections may be picked a plurality of times and prior to any of the selections being picked;

(i) each of said selections is associated with a quantity of awards that starts at an initial quantity of awards,

(ii) at least one of said initial quantities of awards is unknown to a player,

(iii) at least one of said initial quantities of awards is greater than one, and

(iv) at least two of said quantities of awards are different;

(b) reducing the quantity of awards associated with said picked selection prior to and independent of another one of said selections being picked;

(c) determining if the reduced quantity of awards associated with said picked selection is a designated quantity of awards;

(d) if the reduced quantity of awards associated with said picked selection is said designated quantity of awards, associating a terminator with said picked selection;

(e) displaying the award and any terminator associated with said picked selection;

(f) providing each of the revealed awards to the player; and

(g) repeating steps (a) to (f) until at least one terminator is revealed.

9. The gaming device of claim 8, which includes a plurality of terminators.

10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause said processor to control the play of the game by repeating steps (a) to (f) until a plurality of terminators are revealed.

11. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein prior to any one of the selections being picked, a plurality of said initial quantities of awards are greater than one.

12. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein prior to any one of the selections being picked, each of said initial quantities of awards is greater than one.

13. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein said designated quantity of awards is zero.

14. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to control the play of the game by revealing to the player the initial quantity of awards associated with at least one of said selections before any of said selections are picked.

15. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to control the play of the game by revealing to the player the award associated with at least one of said selections before any of said selections are picked.

16. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to control the play of said game by enabling the player to pick said selections.

17. A gaming device operable under the control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

an input device configured to operate with said processor; and

a display device configured to operate with said processor to display a game, said game including;

a designated quantity of outcomes;

a plurality of different items, wherein prior to any one of the items being picked, each of said items is associated with a quantity of outcomes that starts at an initial quantity of outcomes, at least one of said initial quantities of outcomes is unknown to a player, at least one of said initial quantities of outcomes is greater than one, at least two of said quantities of outcomes are different, a plurality of different initial quantities of outcomes are each greater than said designated quantity and when one of said items is picked, the quantity of outcomes associated with said picked item is reduced prior to and independent of another one of said items being picked;

a terminating event, wherein said terminating event occurs when the quantity of outcomes of any one of said items is reduced to the designated quantity of outcomes; and

at least one award provided to the player, wherein each provided award is based on each of the items picked before the occurrence of said terminating event.

18. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein pr to any one of the items being picked, each of said different initial quantities of outcomes are greater than said designated quantity.

19. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein each of said items are picked by the player.

20. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein said designated quantity of outcomes is zero.

21. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the initial quantity of outcomes associated with at least one of said items is revealed to the player before any of said items are picked.

22. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein at least one of said awards is revealed to the player before any of said items are picked.

23. A gaming device operable under the control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

an input device configured to operate with said processor; and

a display device configured to operate with said processor to display a game, said game including;

a plurality of different selections, wherein each selection is associated with a number of times said selection may be picked prior to an occurrence of any terminating condition, the number of times at least one of the selections may be picked prior to the occurrence of any terminating condition is unknown to a player, and at least one selection is associated with a number of times greater than one that said selection may be picked prior to the occurrence of any terminating condition;

a terminating condition, wherein said terminating condition occurs when any one of the selections has been picked the associated number of times said selection may be picked; and

at least one award provided to the player, wherein each provided award is based on each of the selections picked before the occurrence of said terminating condition.

24. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein a plurality of said selections are associated with a number of times greater than one that each of said selections may be picked.

25. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein prior to an occurrence of any terminating condition, each of said selections is associated with a number of times greater than one that each of said selections may be picked.

26. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein terminating condition occurs when at least one of said selections has been picked one time.

27. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the number of times one of said selections may be picked is revealed to the player before any of said selections are picked.

28. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein at least one of said awards is revealed to the player before any of said selections are picked.

29. A method of operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a pick of one of a plurality of different selections, wherein prior to any of the selections being picked, each of said selections is associated with a quantity of outcomes that starts at an initial quantity of outcomes, at least one of said initial quantities of outcomes is unknown to a player, at least one of said initial quantities of outcomes is greater than one, at least two of said quantities of outcomes are different, and at least one of said selections may be picked a plurality of times;

(b) causing a display device to display the outcome associated with said picked selection;

(c) providing the displayed outcome to the player;

(d) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reduce the quantity of outcomes associated with said picked selection prior to and independent of another one of said selections being picked; and

(e) repeating steps (a) to (d) until the quantity of outcomes associated with one of said picked selections is a designated quantity of outcomes.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein prior to any one of the selections being picked, a plurality of said initial quantities of outcomes are greater than one.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein prior to any one of the selections being picked, each of said initial quantities of outcomes is greater than one.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said designated quantity of outcomes is zero.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the initial quantity of outcomes associated with at least one of said selections is revealed to the player before any of said selections are picked.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the outcome associated with at least one of said selections is revealed to the player before any of said selections are picked.

35. The method of claim 29, which includes enabling the player to pick said selections.

36. A method of operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a pick of one of a plurality of different selections, wherein prior to any of said selections being picked, each of said selections is associated with a quantity of awards that starts at an initial quantity of awards, at least one of said initial quantities of awards is unknown to a player, at least one of said initial quantities of awards is greater than one, at least two of said quantities of awards are different, and at least one of said selections may be picked a plurality of times;

(b) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reduce the quantity of awards associated with said picked selection prior to and independent of another one of said selections being picked;

(c) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine if the reduced quantity of awards associated with said picked selection is a designated quantity of awards;

(d) if the reduced quantity of awards associated with said picked selection is said designated quantity of awards, causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to associate a terminator with said picked selection;

(e) causing a display device to display the award and any terminator associated with said picked selection;

(f) providing the displayed award to the player; and

(g) repeating steps (a) to (f) until at least one terminator is revealed.

37. The method of claim 36, which includes repeating steps (a) to (f) until a plurality of terminators are displayed.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein prior to any one of said selections being picked, a plurality of said initial quantities of awards are greater than one.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein prior to any one of said selections being picked, each of said initial quantities of awards is greater than one.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein said designated quantity of awards is zero.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the initial quantity of awards associated with at least one of said selections is revealed to the player before any of said selections are picked.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the award associated with at least one of said selections is displayed to the player before any of said selections are picked.

43. The method of claim 36, which includes enabling the player to pick said selections.

44. A method of operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a display device to display a plurality of different items as consumer products for purchase, wherein prior to any of said items being selected, each of said items has a quantity of values that starts at an initial quantity of values greater than zero, at least one of said initial quantities of values is unknown to a player, at least two of said quantities of values are different and a plurality of said initial quantities of values are greater than one;

(b) enabling the player to select one of said different items;

(c) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to register the value associated with said player selected item;

(d) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reduce the quantity of values associated with said selected item prior to and independent of another one of said selections being picked; and

(e) repeating steps (a) to (d) until the quantity of values associated with one of said items is zero, wherein for each subsequent selection, the player is enabled to reselect one of said items which was previously selected by the player.