Gaming device having changed or generated player stimuli

• US 7,258,613 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Lucchesi, Matthew, Kremer, Jason D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert E
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUFFY, DAVID W
• Application Number:
  US10/841,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040209685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463 30- 35, 273/138.1, 273/143.R, 273/269, 273/292, 273459-461
• US Class Current: 463/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 Game play aspects of gaming systems
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

A gaming device having at least one changed or generated player stimulus and a method of changing or generating at least one player stimulus of a gaming device are disclosed for enhancing a player'"'"'s interest, excitement, length of play, and enjoyment of the gaming device. The gaming device comprises at least one input device. A number or duration of activations of the input device is monitored and temporarily stored by a processor. The processor is capable of generating or changing at least one player stimulus or combinations thereof after a predetermined or random number of activations has been input into the gaming device or after a predetermined period of time the input mechanism has been activated. Further, the gaming device comprises of-at least one reset mechanism connected to the processor capable of resetting the gaming device for the generation of another gaming experience while a player is operating the device.

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising:

a plurality of different player stimuli;

a game operable upon a wager, said game having a plurality of different outcomes;

a display device operable to display the game to a player;

at least one input device operable to enable the player to initiate multiple consecutive plays of the game; and

a processor operable with the display device and input device to;

(a) maintain a count of how many of the consecutive plays of the game occur;

(b) produce a same one of the player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays of the game, the designated quantity being at least two; and

(c) produce a different one of the player stimuli for one or more of the plays of the game that occur after the designated quantity is reached, the different stimulus produced independent of any of the outcomes of the plays of the game.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to randomly determine the designated quantity.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one other input device operable to enable the player to cause the processor to provide any payout due to the player and reset the count.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to reset the count when a designated event occurs.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the player stimuli includes a stimulus selected from the group consisting of an auditory stimulus, a visual stimulus, an audio-visual stimulus, a length of time stimulus and a combination of a plurality of said stimuli.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable with the input device to enable a player to place a same wager in each of the designated quantity of consecutive plays of the game.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable with the input device to enable a player to place a maximum wager in each of the designated quantity of consecutive plays of the game.

8. A method for operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of different player stimuli;

(b) providing a plurality of outcomes for a game operable upon a wager;

(c) enabling a player to initiate multiple consecutive plays of the game;

(d) maintaining a count of how many of the consecutive plays of the game occur;

(e) producing a same one of the player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays of the game, the designated quantity being at least two; and

(f) producing a different one of the player stimuli for one or more of the plays of the game that occur after the designated quantity is reached, the different stimulus produced independent of any of the outcomes of the plays of the game.

9. The method of claim 8, which includes randomly determining the designated quantity.

10. The method of claim 8, which includes enabling the player to receive any payout due to the player and reset the count.

11. The method of claim 8, which includes resetting the count when a designated event occurs.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein providing a plurality of different player stimuli includes providing a stimulus selected from the group consisting of an auditory stimulus, a visual stimulus, an audio-visual stimulus, a length of time stimulus and a combination of a plurality of said stimuli.

13. The method of claim 8, which includes enabling a player to place a same wager in each of the designated quantity of consecutive plays of the game.

14. The method of claim 8, which includes enabling a player to place a maximum wager in each of the designated quantity of consecutive plays of the game.

15. A method for operating a gaming device having a plurality of different player stimuli, the method comprising:

(a) enabling a player to provide funding to the gaming device;

(b) enabling the player to initiate multiple consecutive plays of a game operable upon a wager;

(c) causing at least one of a plurality of outcomes to occur in each of the plays of the game;

(d) maintaining a count of how many of the consecutive plays of the game occur;

(e) producing a same one of the player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays, the designated quantity being at least two;

(f) producing a different one of the player stimuli for one or more of the plays of the game that occur after the designated quantity is reached, the different stimulus produced independent of any of the outcomes of the plays of the game;

(g) stopping the production of the different stimulus when the player cashes-out; and

(h) providing any payout due to the player based on the funding provided by the player and the outcomes of the plays of the game.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein enabling a player to initiate multiple plays of the game includes enabling the player to place a plurality of wagers.

17. The method of claim 15, which includes resetting the count and repeating steps (a) through (h) at least once.

18. The method of claim 15, which includes randomly generating the designated quantity.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the steps of producing one of the player stimuli and producing a different one of the player stimuli include producing a plurality of different player stimuli wherein each of said different player stimuli include a player stimulus selected from the group consisting of an auditory stimulus, a visual stimulus, an audio-visual stimulus, a length of time stimulus and a combination of a plurality of said stimuli.

20. The method of claim 19, which includes randomly determining the different player stimuli.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the steps of producing one of the player stimuli and producing a different one of the player stimuli include producing a plurality of different audio or visual outputs.

22. The method of claim 15, which includes providing a plurality of games for the gaming device, each of the games enabling the player to initiate multiple consecutive plays of said game.

23. The method of claim 15, which includes enabling a player to place a same wager in each of the designated quantity of consecutive plays of the game.

24. The method of claim 15, which includes enabling a player to place a maximum wager in each of the designated quantity of consecutive plays of the game.