Slot machine game with additional award indicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a wager for a turn of a game to be played using a slot machine;
spinning, using the slot machine, a set of reels;
stopping the set of reels at a first reel combination;
awarding a first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager;
prior to activating an additional award indicator at the slot machine a first time during the turn of the game, determining, by processing unit, a number of times to activate the additional award indicator prior to ending the turn of the game, wherein the additional award indicator is configured to indicate at least one of a plurality of awards;
activating, during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator the first time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator until the additional award indicator stops and displays a first award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a second prize determined using (i) the first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager, and (ii) the first award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the first time;
after activating the additional award indicator the first time during the turn of the game, activating, during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator a second time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator a second time during the turn of the game until the additional award indicator stops and displays a second award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a third prize determined using (i) the same first prize used to determine the second prize, and (ii) the second award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the second time; and
ending the turn of the game after the additional award indicator is activated the number of times during the turn of the game.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus to implement special features on slot machine games. An additional award indicator, such as a bonus wheel, a perimeter prize wheel, an additional reel, etc., can be used to modify an award of a main game. The additional award indicator can be successively activated while a resultant combination of mains reels of the slot game remain fixed.
272 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving a wager for a turn of a game to be played using a slot machine; spinning, using the slot machine, a set of reels; stopping the set of reels at a first reel combination; awarding a first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager; prior to activating an additional award indicator at the slot machine a first time during the turn of the game, determining, by processing unit, a number of times to activate the additional award indicator prior to ending the turn of the game, wherein the additional award indicator is configured to indicate at least one of a plurality of awards; activating, during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator the first time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator until the additional award indicator stops and displays a first award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a second prize determined using (i) the first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager, and (ii) the first award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the first time; after activating the additional award indicator the first time during the turn of the game, activating, during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator a second time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator a second time during the turn of the game until the additional award indicator stops and displays a second award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a third prize determined using (i) the same first prize used to determine the second prize, and (ii) the second award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the second time; and ending the turn of the game after the additional award indicator is activated the number of times during the turn of the game. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An article of manufacture including tangible non-transitory computer readable media with instructions encoded therein, the instructions comprising:
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instructions for receiving a wager for a turn of a game to be played using a slot machine having a set of reels; instructions for spinning the set of reels; instructions for stopping the set of reels at a first reel combination; instructions for awarding a first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager; instructions for determining, prior to activating an additional award indicator at the slot machine a first time during the turn of the game, a number of times to activate the additional award indicator prior to ending the turn of the game, wherein the additional award indicator is configured to indicate at least one of a plurality of awards; instructions for activating, during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator the first time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator until the additional award indicator stops and displays a first award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a second prize determined using (i) the first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager, and (ii) the first award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the first time; instructions for activating during the turn of the game, after activating the additional award indicator the first time during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator a second time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator a second time during the turn of the game until the additional award indicator stops and displays a second award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a third prize determined using (i) the same first prize used to determine the second prize, and (ii) the second award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the second time; and ending the turn of the game after the additional award indicator is activated the number of times during the turn of the game. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A slot machine system comprising:
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a money collection unit configured to receive a wager for a turn of a game to be played using a slot machine; an input unit configured to accept commands from a player of the slot machine; a processing unit configured to (i) spin a set of reels at the slot machine, (ii) stop the set of reels at a first reel combination, (iii) award a first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager, (iv) determine, prior to activating an additional award indicator at the slot machine a first time during the turn of the game, a number of times to activate the additional award indicator prior to ending the turn of the game, wherein the additional award indicator is configured to indicate at least one of a plurality of awards, (v) activate, during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator the first time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator until the additional award indicator stops and displays a first award selected from the plurality of awards and then awarding a second prize determined using the first prize based on the first reel combination and the wager and the first award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the first time, (vi) activate, during the turn of the game after activating the additional award indicator the first time during the turn of the game, the additional award indicator a second time of the determined number of times so as to animate the additional award indicator a second time during the turn of the game until the additional award indicator stops and displays a second award selected from the plurality of awards, and then awarding a third prize determined using the same first prize used to determine the second prize and the second award displayed by the additional award indicator in response to activating the additional award indicator the second time; and one or more output devices configured to display the set of reels, the additional award indicator, awards, and prizes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification