Gaming units with an enhanced group bonus round

• US 7,758,423 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Foster, William J., Tedsen, Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling; John M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hylinski; Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US10/401,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,671 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 22, 463 25- 28, 463/29, 463 40- 42, 463/31, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/31
• 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

Abstract

A group bonus round game may be played on a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming units connected together to form a networked gaming system. Each of the gaming units having a light device located thereon, wherein the light device is adapted to display a bonus indicia. The group bonus game includes the generation of a display of bonus indicia on a first subset of the gaming units, and subsequently a second subset of the gaming units, wherein the display of the bonus indicia on the different subsets of gaming units creates an illusion that the bonus indicia are spinning, or revolving through the gaming system before stopping at a specific gaming unit. The group bonus round may additionally utilize music and/or bonus stages to create other bonus round gaming themes, for example a “musical chairs” type group bonus round.

Claims

1. A gaming system for generating a gaming system bonus game, said gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming apparatuses, each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses comprising;

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a light device having at least one independently operable light;

a gaming apparatus controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said light device, and said value input device, said gaming apparatus controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to allow a player to make a wager,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing a game,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to determine, after said video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image; and

a gaming system controller operatively coupled to each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses, said gaming system controller comprising a processor and a memory;

said gaming system controller being programmed to initiate a gaming system bonus game comprising a plurality of stages that operate in succession to one another, wherein said gaming system bonus game is initiated by said gaming system controller in response to a signal issued by said gaming apparatus controller to said gaming system controller without being polled by said gaming system controller,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine the eligibility of each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to participate in said gaming system bonus game, wherein the number of the plurality of stages is equal to one less than the number of the eligible gaming apparatuses,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine an outcome of said gaming system bonus game,

said gaming system controller being programmed to cause said light devices of a first subset of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in at least a first stage of the plurality of stages by generating a bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset,

said gaming system controller being program to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset,

said gaming system controller being programmed to cause said light devices of a second subset of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in the at least first stage of the plurality of stages by generating the bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses on said second subset,

said gaming system controller being programmed to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses on said second subset,

said gaming system controller being programmed to re-determine eligibility of each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses at the conclusion of each stage, where the total number of eligible gaming apparatuses decreases for each stage after the at least first stage of the plurality of stages,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine if the number of eligible gaming apparatuses participating in the gaming system bonus game at a conclusion of each stage is equal to, greater than, or less than a predetermined number of eligible gaming apparatuses, and to conclude play of said gaming system bonus game when the number of eligible gaming apparatuses is less than the predetermined number, wherein the predetermined number is always greater than or equal to one,

said gaming system controller being programmed to continue generating and extinguishing the bonus indicia on said light devices on each re-determined eligible gaming apparatus of the plurality of gaming apparatuses during each subsequent stage of the plurality of stages that operate in succession to one another,

said gaming system controller being programmed to conclude play of said gaming system bonus game by only generating the bonus indicia on a gaming apparatus of said re-determined eligible gaming apparatuses determined to be the winner of said gaming system bonus game; and

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of said gaming system bonus game.

2. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said bonus state comprises a bonus image displayed on said light device.

3. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said bonus state comprises the illumination of said at least one independently operable light of said light device.

4. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are arranged in a generally circular physical arrangement, and wherein said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses is adjacent said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses.

5. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses and said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses are exclusive of each other.

6. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to cause said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to not be in said bonus state before causing said light devices of said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to be in said bonus state.

7. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, said gaming apparatus controllers being programmed to allow said player to decline to participate in said gaming system bonus game.

8. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said gaming apparatus controllers being programmed to allow said player to make a wager on the outcome of said gaming system bonus game.

9. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are arranged in different geographic locations.

10. A gaming method comprising:

causing a video image representing a game to be generated, said video image representing one of the following games;

video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno or video bingo,

said video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,

said video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,

said video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,

said video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and

said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo;

determining a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image;

causing a group bonus game to be initiated on a plurality of gaming apparatuses, each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses having a light device having at least one independently operable light, wherein the bonus game is initiated by said plurality of gaming apparatuses;

determining which of said plurality of gaming apparatuses is eligible to participate in said group bonus game, wherein the number of a plurality of stages is equal to one less than the number of the eligible gaming apparatuses;

causing a first subset of said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in at least a first stage of the plurality of stages by generating a bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset;

causing the first subset of said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset;

causing a second subset of said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in the at least first stage of the plurality of stages by generating a bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset;

causing the second subset of said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses on said second subset;

re-determining eligibility of said plurality of gaming apparatuses during the bonus game, where the total number of eligible gaming apparatuses decreases for each stage after the at least first stage of the plurality of stages of the bonus game and prior to an outcome of the bonus game;

continuing generating and extinguishing the bonus indicia on said light devices on each re-determined eligible gaming apparatus of the plurality of gaming apparatuses during each subsequent stage of the plurality of stages operating in succession to one another;

concluding play of said group bonus game when the number of eligible gaming apparatuses is less than a predetermined number, wherein the predetermined number is always greater than or equal to one; and

determining a value payout associated with the outcome of said group bonus game.

11. A gaming method as defined in claim 10, additionally comprising:

causing the group bonus game to be initiated on the eligible gaming apparatuses as a result of determining a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image.

12. A gaming method as defined in claim 10, additionally comprising:

determining which of said plurality of gaming apparatuses is eligible to participate in said group bonus game by determining which of said plurality of gaming apparatuses contains a value wager.

13. A gaming method as defined in claim 10, wherein the plurality of said gaming apparatuses are located in geographical different locations.

14. A gaming method as defined in claim 10, additionally comprising:

said plurality of gaming apparatuses being physically arranged in the shape of a polygon; and

causing said first subset of said light devices to not be in a bonus state before causing said second subset of said light devices to be in a bonus state, wherein said second subset of said light devices is immediately adjacent said first subset of said light devices.

15. A gaming method as defined in claim 10, wherein said bonus state comprises a bonus image displayed on said light device.

16. A gaming method as defined in claim 10, wherein said bonus state comprises the illumination of said at least one independently operable light of said light device.

32. A gaming system as defined in claim 16, said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to allow said player to decline to participate in said gaming system bonus game.

17. A gaming system for generating a gaming system bonus game, said gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming apparatuses, each of said gaming apparatuses comprising;

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a light bezel having at least one independently operable light;

a gaming apparatus controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said light bezel, and said value input device, said gaming apparatus controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to allow a player to make a wager,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing a game,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to determine, after said video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image; and

a gaming system controller operatively coupled to each of said plurality of gaming apparatus, said gaming system controller comprising a processor and a memory;

said gaming system controller being programmed to initiate a gaming system bonus game comprising a plurality of stages that operate in succession to one another, wherein said gaming system bonus game is initiated by said gaming system controller in response to a signal issued by an initiating gaming apparatus of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to said gaming system controller without being polled by said gaming system controller,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine eligibility of each of said plurality of gaming apparatus to participate in said gaming system bonus game, wherein the number of the plurality of stages is equal to one less than the number of the eligible gaming apparatuses,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine an outcome of said gaming system bonus game,

said gaming system controller being programmed to cause said light bezels of a first subset of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in at least a first stage of the plurality of stages by generating a bonus indicia on said light bezels of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset,

said gaming system controller being program to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light bezels of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset,

said gaming system controller being programmed to cause said light bezels of a second subset of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in the at least first stage of the plurality of stages by generating the bonus indicia on said light bezels of said eligible gaming apparatuses on said second subset,

said gaming system controller being programmed to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light bezels of said eligible gaming apparatuses on said second subset,

said gaming system controller being programmed to re-determine eligibility of said plurality of gaming apparatuses at the conclusion of each stage, where the total number of eligible gaming apparatuses decreases for each stage after the at least first stage of the plurality of stages,

said gaming system controller being programmed to continue generating and extinguishing the bonus indicia on said light bezels on each re-determined eligible gaming apparatus of the plurality of gaming apparatuses during each subsequent stage of the plurality of stages that operate in succession to one another,

said gaming system controller being programmed to conclude play of said gaming system bonus game by only generating the bonus indicia on a predetermined number of gaming apparatuses of said re-determined eligible gaming apparatuses determined to be a winning gaming apparatus of said gaming system bonus game, wherein the predetermined number of gaming apparatuses is always greater than or equal to one, and

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of said gaming system bonus game, and to award the value payout to each of said initiating gaming apparatus and said winning apparatus.

18. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said bonus state comprises a bonus image displayed on said light bezel.

19. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said bonus state comprises the illumination of said at least one independently operable light of said light bezel.

20. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are arranged in a generally circular physical arrangement, and wherein said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses is adjacent said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses.

21. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses and said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses are exclusive of each other.

22. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to cause said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to not be in said bonus state before causing said light bezels of said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to be in said bonus state.

23. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, said gaming apparatus controllers being programmed to allows said player to decline to participate in said gaming system bonus game.

24. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said gaming apparatus controllers being programmed to allow said player to make a wager on the outcome of said gaming system bonus game.

25. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are arranged in different geographic locations.

26. A gaming system for generating a gaming system bonus game, said gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming apparatuses, each of said gaming apparatuses comprising;

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a light device having at least on independently operable light;

a gaming apparatus controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said light device, and said value input device, said gaming apparatus controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to allow a player to make a wager,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing a game,

said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to determine, after said video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image; and

a gaming system controller operatively coupled to each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses, said gaming system controller comprising a processor and a memory;

said gaming system controller being programmed to initiate a gaming system bonus game, wherein said gaming system bonus game has a plurality of stages before play is concluded, and wherein said gaming system bonus game is initiated by said gaming system controller in response to a signal issued by said gaming apparatus controller to said gaming system controller without being polled by said gaming system controller,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine the eligibility of each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to participate in each of said stages of said gaming system bonus game, wherein the number of the plurality of stages is equal to one less than the number of the eligible gaming apparatuses,

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine an outcome each of said stages of said gaming system bonus game,

said gaming system controller being programmed to cause light devices of a first subset of said eligible gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state in at least a first stage of the plurality of stages by generating a bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset,

said gaming system controller being program to extinguish the bonus indicia on said light devices of said eligible gaming apparatuses in said first subset,

upon conclusion of the at least first stage of the plurality of stages, said gaming system controller being programmed to re-determine the eligibility of each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to continue to participate in a next stage of said gaming system bonus game, where the eligibility of the next stage is at least one fewer gaming apparatus than each previous stage, resulting in progressively fewer gaming apparatuses participating in the gaming system bonus game during each subsequent stage of the plurality of stages that operate in succession to one another,

upon conclusion of the plurality of stages, said gaming system controller being programmed to conclude play of said gaming system bonus game by only generating the bonus indicia on a predetermined number of gaming apparatuses of said re-determined eligible gaming apparatuses determined to be the winner of said gaming system bonus game, wherein the predetermined number of gaming apparatuses is always greater than or equal to one, and

said gaming system controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of said gaming system bonus game, wherein the value payout is awarded only upon conclusion of said gaming system bonus game.

27. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein said gaming system controller is programmed to cause said light devices of a first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state, said gaming system controller being programmed to cause said light devices of a second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to be in a bonus state, where said bonus state comprises a bonus image displayed on said light device.

28. A gaming system as defined in claim 27, wherein said bonus state comprises the illumination of said at least one independently operable light of said light device.

29. A gaming system as defined in claim 27, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are arranged in a generally circular physical arrangement, and wherein said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses is adjacent said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses.

30. A gaming system as defined in claim 27, wherein said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses and said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses are exclusive to each other.

31. A gaming system as defined in claim 27, said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to cause said first subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to not be in said bonus state before causing said light devices of said second subset of said plurality of gaming apparatuses to be in said bonus state.

33. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein said gaming apparatus controller being programmed to allow said player to make a wager on the outcome of said gaming system bonus game.

34. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are arranged in different geographic locations.

35. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein eligibility for each stage of gaming system bonus game is randomly determined.

36. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein eligibility for each stage of gaming system bonus game is determined based on a player action.

37. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein eligibility for each stage of gaming system bonus game is determined based on a player action in response to a bonus indicia displayed on the player'"'"'s respective gaming apparatus.