Method and apparatus for bonus round play
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
- enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game;
causing at least one gaming system processor to execute a plurality of instructions to operate with at least one display device to display the play of the primary game;
when a triggering event occurs in association with the play of the primary game, causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display a play of a bonus round, said play of the bonus round including;
(i) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round outcome,(ii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round outcome,(iii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round award based on the determined bonus round outcome, and(iv) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round award;
causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with at least one input device to receive an indication of a request by the player to take a tour of the bonus round on a wagering game machine; and
enabling the player to take the tour, wherein an entity provides a payment to an operator of the wagering game machine in exchange for the player taking the tour, the tour is taken without any occurrence of the triggering event, the gaming system processor, the player, the entity, and the operator of the wagering game machine are each distinct from each other and said tour of the bonus round includes;
(i) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round tour outcome,(ii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round tour outcome,(iii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round tour award based on the determined bonus round tour outcome, and(iv) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round tour award.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.
43 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
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enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game; causing at least one gaming system processor to execute a plurality of instructions to operate with at least one display device to display the play of the primary game; when a triggering event occurs in association with the play of the primary game, causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display a play of a bonus round, said play of the bonus round including; (i) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round outcome, (ii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round outcome, (iii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round award based on the determined bonus round outcome, and (iv) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round award; causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with at least one input device to receive an indication of a request by the player to take a tour of the bonus round on a wagering game machine; and enabling the player to take the tour, wherein an entity provides a payment to an operator of the wagering game machine in exchange for the player taking the tour, the tour is taken without any occurrence of the triggering event, the gaming system processor, the player, the entity, and the operator of the wagering game machine are each distinct from each other and said tour of the bonus round includes; (i) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round tour outcome, (ii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round tour outcome, (iii) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a bonus round tour award based on the determined bonus round tour outcome, and (iv) causing the at least one gaming system processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the determined bonus round tour award. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a plurality of instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
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enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game; cause at least one display device to display the play of the primary game; when a triggering event occurs in association with the play of the primary game, cause the at least one display device to display a play of a bonus round, said play of the bonus round including; (i) determining a bonus round outcome, (ii) displaying the determined bonus round outcome, (iii) determining a bonus round award based on the determined bonus round outcome, and (iv) displaying the determined bonus round award; receive an indication of a request by the player to take a tour of the bonus round on a wagering game machine; and enable the player to take the tour, wherein an entity provides a payment to an operator of the wagering game machine in exchange for the player taking the tour, the tour is taken without any occurrence of the triggering event, the gaming system processor, the player, the entity, and the operator of the wagering game machine are each distinct from each other and said tour of the bonus round including; (i) determining a bonus round tour outcome, (ii) displaying the determined bonus round tour outcome, (iii) determining a bonus round tour award based on the determined bonus round tour outcome, and (iv) displaying the determined bonus round tour award. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a gaming system processor; and a computer readable medium in communication with the gaming system processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to; enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game; display the play of the primary game; when a triggering event occurs in association with the play of the primary game, display a play of a bonus round, said play of the bonus round including; (i) determining a bonus round outcome, (ii) displaying the determined bonus round outcome, (iii) determining a bonus round award based on the determined bonus round outcome, and (iv) displaying the determined bonus round award; receive an indication of a request by the player to take a tour of the bonus round on a wagering game machine; and enable the player to take the tour, wherein an entity provides a payment to an operator of the wagering game machine in exchange for the player taking the tour, the tour is taken without any occurrence of the triggering event, the gaming system processor, the player, the entity, and the operator of the wagering game machine are each distinct from each other and said tour of the bonus round including; (i) determining a bonus round tour outcome, (ii) displaying the determined bonus round tour outcome, (iii) determining a bonus round tour award based on the determined bonus round tour outcome, and (iv) displaying the determined bonus round tour award. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification