Slot machine with synchronized spinning reels
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of spinning at least three symbol-bearing reels in a slot machine game, the method comprising the following operations:
- executing instructions on a computer controlling the slot machine game to perform;
generating a triggering condition that triggers a synchronous mode;
after generating the triggering condition, performing at least one of a plurality of synchronous-mode operations at least once, wherein the plurality of synchronous-mode operations include;
from a stopped position, moving a first reel of the symbol-bearing reels only an offset number of stops in a direction, wherein the offset number of stops is greater than zero, from a stopped position, moving a second reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in the direction, wherein the first reel and the second reel are moved synchronously in unison, and awarding a payout, if earned, based on a final displayed combination of symbols on the at least three symbol-bearing reels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A slot machine that can spin two or more of the reels in unison. Thus, the machine can spin and stop the reels in a standard fashion. If a special trigger occurs, then two or more reels can further spin with an identical offset. The further spin can generate additional rewards for the player.
28 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of spinning at least three symbol-bearing reels in a slot machine game, the method comprising the following operations:
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executing instructions on a computer controlling the slot machine game to perform; generating a triggering condition that triggers a synchronous mode; after generating the triggering condition, performing at least one of a plurality of synchronous-mode operations at least once, wherein the plurality of synchronous-mode operations include; from a stopped position, moving a first reel of the symbol-bearing reels only an offset number of stops in a direction, wherein the offset number of stops is greater than zero, from a stopped position, moving a second reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in the direction, wherein the first reel and the second reel are moved synchronously in unison, and awarding a payout, if earned, based on a final displayed combination of symbols on the at least three symbol-bearing reels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic slot machine, comprising:
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a display operable to display at least three symbol-bearing reels; a computer connected to the display, configured to; determine if a synchronous mode trigger has occurred and, if so, perform at least one of a plurality of synchronous-mode operations at least once, wherein the plurality of synchronous-mode operations include; from a stopped position, move a first reel of the symbol-bearing reels only an offset number of stops in a direction, wherein the offset number of stops is greater than zero, from a stopped position, move a second reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in the direction, wherein the first reel and the second reel are moved synchronously in unison, and award a payout, if earned, based on a final displayed combination of symbols on the at least three symbol-bearing reels. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of spinning at least three symbol-bearing reels in a slot machine game comprising the following operations:
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executing instructions on a computer controlling the slot machine game to; perform a plurality of spin operations at least once, wherein the plurality of spin operations include; randomly determining an offset number of stops greater than zero, from a stopped position, spinning a first reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in a direction, from a stopped position, spinning a second reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in the direction, wherein the first reel and the second reel are spun synchronously in unison, and award a payout, if earned, based on a final displayed combination of symbols on the symbol-bearing reels. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electronic slot machine, comprising:
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a display operable to display at least three symbol-bearing reels; a computer connected to the display, configured to; perform a plurality of spin operations at least once, wherein the plurality of spin operations includes; randomly determine an offset number of stops greater than zero, from a stopped position, spin a first reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in a direction, and from a stopped position, spin a second reel of the symbol-bearing reels only the offset number of stops in the direction, wherein the first reel and the second reel are spun synchronously in unison, and award a payout, if earned, based on a final displayed combination of symbols on the symbol-bearing reels. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method to determine a reel mapping, comprising:
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executing on a computer, instructions to perform the following; determining a set of reels and a reel mapping of symbols for each reel in the set of reels; determining a mapping of all possible outcomes of symbols on each reel using each reel'"'"'s respective reel mapping, referenced by a number, each number having equal weight; modifying the mapping by selectively remapping individual mappings for selected numbers so that the respective combination has more near misses for a predetermined set of paylines into a modified mapping; utilizing the modified mapping in a slot machine game, by; determining a random number; retrieving a plurality of symbols from the modified mapping respective to the determined random number; spinning reels on a slot machine game; stopping the reels on each reel'"'"'s respective symbol of the plurality of symbols; and establishing a payout based on a combination of the plurality of symbols. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A slot machine system to provide a remapped reel set, comprising:
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a computer, configured to perform the following; determine a set of reels and a reel mapping of symbols for each reel in the set of reels; determine a mapping of all possible outcomes of symbols on each reel using each reel'"'"'s respective reel mapping, referenced by a number, each number having equal weight; modify the mapping by selectively remapping individual mappings for selected numbers so that the respective combination has more near misses for a predetermined set of paylines into a modified mapping; a slot machine game, comprising a computer configured to; determine a random number; access the modified mapping; retrieve from the modified mapping a plurality of symbols representing a mapping respective to the determined random number; spin reels; stop the reels on each reel'"'"'s respective symbol of the plurality of symbols; and establish a payout based on a combination of the plurality of symbols. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification