Wagering game having player-directed population of a bonus feature
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method of conducting a wagering game that populates a bonus feature according to player inputs, the method comprising:
- detecting, via one of one or more input devices, a physical item associated with monetary value that establishes a credit balance displayed on a credit meter;
receiving, via at least one of the one or more input devices, a wager input indicative of an initial wager from a player drawn on the credit balance to initiate the wagering game;
displaying, via a display device, a bonus wheel having a plurality of wheel segments and at least one stop indicator located at a periphery of the bonus wheel that indicates a winning wheel segment;
receiving, via at least one of the one or more input devices, one or more selections by the player of one or more of the plurality of wheel segments, wherein an award marker is placed on the one or more player-selected wheel segments;
placing, via at least one of the one or more processors and prior to spinning the bonus wheel to indicate a winning wheel segment of the plurality of wheel segments, one or more additional award markers on one or more unselected wheel segments of the plurality in accordance with an algorithm and based on relative positions of the player-selected wheel segments;
spinning and stopping the bonus wheel to indicate, via the at least one stop indicator, a randomly selected winning segment; and
in response to any award marker being placed on the randomly selected winning segment, awarding the player an award associated with the award marker placed on the randomly selected winning segment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system presents a wagering game that includes a bonus wheel having a plurality of wheel segments. A player directs the placement of at least one award marker on a wheel segment of the plurality, and the wagering game randomly selects a winning wheel segment of the plurality.
27 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of conducting a wagering game that populates a bonus feature according to player inputs, the method comprising:
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detecting, via one of one or more input devices, a physical item associated with monetary value that establishes a credit balance displayed on a credit meter; receiving, via at least one of the one or more input devices, a wager input indicative of an initial wager from a player drawn on the credit balance to initiate the wagering game; displaying, via a display device, a bonus wheel having a plurality of wheel segments and at least one stop indicator located at a periphery of the bonus wheel that indicates a winning wheel segment; receiving, via at least one of the one or more input devices, one or more selections by the player of one or more of the plurality of wheel segments, wherein an award marker is placed on the one or more player-selected wheel segments; placing, via at least one of the one or more processors and prior to spinning the bonus wheel to indicate a winning wheel segment of the plurality of wheel segments, one or more additional award markers on one or more unselected wheel segments of the plurality in accordance with an algorithm and based on relative positions of the player-selected wheel segments; spinning and stopping the bonus wheel to indicate, via the at least one stop indicator, a randomly selected winning segment; and in response to any award marker being placed on the randomly selected winning segment, awarding the player an award associated with the award marker placed on the randomly selected winning segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A gaming system configured to conduct a wagering game that populates a bonus feature according to player inputs, the gaming system comprising:
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one or more input devices; one or more display devices; one or more processors; and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to; detect, via one of the one or more input devices, a physical item associated with monetary value that establishes a credit balance displayed on a credit meter; receive a wager input indicative of a wager from a player drawn from the credit balance to initiate the wagering game; display a bonus wheel having a plurality of selectable wheel segments and at least one stop indicator located at a periphery of the bonus wheel that indicates a winning wheel segment; receive initial selections by the player of a primary award marker for placement on a wheel segment of the plurality of selectable wheel segments, after receiving the initial selections and prior to spinning the bonus wheel to indicate a winning wheel segment of the plurality of selectable wheel segments, place one or more additional award markers on one or more unselected wheel segments of the plurality of wheel segments according to an optimizing algorithm that places the one or more additional award markers so as to distribute any high-value award markers as evenly as possible; spin and stop the bonus wheel to indicate, via the at least one wheel stop indicator, a randomly selected winning segment; and in response to the primary award marker being placed on the randomly selected winning segment, award the player an award associated with the primary award marker. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A gaming system configured to conduct a wagering game that populates a bonus feature according to player inputs, the gaming system comprising:
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one or more input devices; one or more display devices; one or more processors; and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to; detect, via one of the one or more input devices, a physical item associated with monetary value that establishes a credit balance displayed on a credit meter; receive a wager input indicative of a wager from a player drawn on the credit balance that initiates the wagering game; display a bonus wheel having a plurality of selectable wheel segments and a plurality of stop indicators located at a periphery of the bonus wheel that indicate at least one winning wheel segment; receive initial selections by the player of a primary award marker and a wheel segment of the plurality of selectable wheel segments, and place the primary award marker on the player-selected wheel segment; after receiving the initial selections and prior to spinning the bonus wheel to indicate a winning wheel segment of the plurality of selectable wheel segments, place one or more additional award markers on one or more unselected wheel segments of the plurality of wheel segments according to an optimizing algorithm that places the one or more additional award markers so as to distribute any high-value award markers as evenly as possible; spin and stop the bonus wheel to indicate, via at least one stop indicator of the plurality of stop indicators, a randomly selected winning segment; and in response to the primary award marker being on the randomly selected winning segment indicated by the at least one stop indicator, award the player an award associated with the primary award marker. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification