Gaming device having physical concentric symbol generators which are operable to provide a plurality of different games to a player

• US 7,753,773 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J., Kaminkow, Joseph E., Vasquez, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US11/212,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

A gaming system with a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different game programs to one, more or each of the gaming devices, wherein each gaming device executes the communicated game program by utilizing one, more or each of the concentric reels. Each game program represents a different setting, configuration or type game which may be played on one, more or each of the gaming devices in the gaming system.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets, wherein at least a first one of the reel sets includes an inner reel and an outer reel concentrically arranged around the inner reel, the outer reel of the first reel set defines at least one viewable area through which the inner reel is viewable;

at least one input device;

at least one display device; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the plurality of reel sets, the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) provide at least one play of a first game when the first game is selected to be played after a first wager amount is placed, said first game having a first set of symbols including;

(i) a plurality of symbols on the outer reel of the first reel set, and (ii) at least one first game symbol on the inner reel of the first reel set, and the at least one play of the first game includes generating at least one of the symbols of the first set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel to be positioned such that the generated first game symbols on the inner reel are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel, said selection to play the first game being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of any second game; and

(b) provide at least one play of a second game when the second game is selected to be played after said first wager amount is placed, said second game being different than the first game, said second game having a second set of symbols including;

(i) the plurality of symbols on the outer reel of the first reel set, and (ii) at least one second game symbol on the inner reel of the first reel set, said second game symbols being different than said first game symbols, and the at least one play of the second game includes generating at least one of the symbols of the second set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel to be positioned such that the generated second game symbols on the inner reel are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel, said selection to play the second game being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of the first game.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first set of symbols includes a plurality of first game symbols.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the play of the first game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the first set of symbols.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second set of symbols includes a plurality of second game symbols.

5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the play of the second game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the second set of symbols.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each game is associated with a different paytable which is used if said game is selected.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first and second games are processor selectable.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first and second games are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

9. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets, wherein each of the reel sets includes an inner reel and an outer reel concentrically arranged around the inner reel, the outer reel of the each reel set defines at least one viewable area through which the inner reel of said set is viewable;

at least one input device;

at least one display device; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the plurality of reel sets, the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) provide at least one play of a first game when the first game is selected to be played after a first wager amount is placed, said first game having a first set of symbols including;

(i) a plurality of symbols on the outer reels of the reel sets, and (ii) a plurality of first game symbols on the inner reels of the reel sets, and the at least one play of the first game includes generating at least one of the symbols of the first set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel of said reel set to be positioned such that the generated first game symbols on said inner reel of said reel set are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel of said reel set, said selection to play the first game being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of any second game; and

(b) provide at least one play of a second game when the second game is selected to be played after said first wager amount is placed, said second game being different than the first game and having a second set of symbols including;

(i) the plurality of symbols on the outer reels of the reel sets, and (ii) a plurality of second game symbols on the inner reels of the reel sets, said second game symbols being different than said first game symbols, and the at least one play of the second game includes generating at least one of the symbols of the second set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel of at least one of said reel sets to be positioned such that the generated second game symbols on the inner reel of said reel set are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel of said reel set, said selection to play the second game being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of the first game.

10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein each game is associated with a different paytable which is used if that game is selected.

11. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the play of the first game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the first set of symbols.

12. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the play of the second game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the second set of symbols.

13. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the first set of symbols includes a plurality of first game symbols on one of the inner reels of one of the reel sets.

14. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the second set of symbols includes a plurality of second game symbols on one of the inner reels of one of the reel sets.

15. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the first and second games are processor selectable.

16. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the first and second games are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

17. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets configured to operate with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel including a plurality of symbols, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area which is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area; and

at least one memory device configured to operate with the processor, said at least one memory device stores;

(a) a first game program associated with a first wager amount, wherein the first game program is associated with each of the symbols of the outer reel and any selection to play the first game program being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of any second game program; and

(b) a second game program associated with the first wager amount, any selection to play the second game program being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of the first game program, wherein the stored game program is associated with a plurality of symbols of the outer reel and at least one of the symbols of the inner reel, wherein if one of the symbols of the inner reel is generated during a play of the second game program, the outer reel of at least one of the concentric reel sets moves to indicate one of said viewable areas and the inner reel of said concentric reel set is positioned such that the at least one symbol of the inner reel is viewable through the indicated viewable area.

18. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the first stored game program is also associated with at least one of the symbols of the inner reel.

19. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the symbols of the inner reel associated with the first stored game program is different than at least one of the symbols of the inner reel associated with the second stored game program.

20. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area which is positionable such that a plurality of the symbols on the inner reel are viewable through the viewable area.

21. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the first and second game programs are processor selectable.

22. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the first and second game programs are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

23. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a first symbol set and a second selectable symbol set, the first symbol set associated with a first game and including a plurality of first symbols and the second symbol set associated with a second game and including at least one second symbol which is different than the symbols of the first symbol set; and

an outer reel including a plurality of third symbols, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area which is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

at least one input device;

at least one display device; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the plurality of reel sets, the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) when the first game is selected after a first wager amount is placed, in at least one play of the first game, move the outer reel of at least one of the concentric reel sets to indicate one of said viewable areas and the inner reel of said concentric reel set is positioned such that one of the symbols of the first symbol set is viewable through the indicated viewable area and said selection to play the first game being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of the second game; and

(b) when the second game is selected after said first wager amount is placed, in at least one play of the second game, move the outer reel of at least one of the concentric reel sets to indicate one of said viewable areas and the inner reel of said concentric reel set is positioned such that one of the symbols of the second symbol set is viewable through the indicated viewable area, said selection to play the second game being independent of any generation of any symbols associated with any play of the first game.

24. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the second symbol set includes a plurality of second symbols.

25. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein at least one symbol of the plurality of first symbols is different than at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

26. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein at least one symbol of the plurality of first symbols is the same as at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

27. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the at least one second symbol is different than at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

28. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the at least one second symbol is the same as at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

29. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the first and second games are processor selectable.

30. The gaming device of claim 23, wherein the first and second games are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

31. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a memory device configured to operate with the controller, wherein said memory device stores a plurality of different game programs, each game program is associated with at least one of a plurality of subsets of symbols, wherein said symbols of said plurality of subsets of symbols form a static set of symbols and at least two of the different game programs include different subsets of symbols; and

a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the controller, each gaming device including a processor and a plurality of reel sets configured to operate with the processor, the plurality of reels sets including a plurality of symbols which form said static set of symbols, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel which defines at least one viewable area, wherein the outer reel is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

wherein for each gaming device, the controller is programmed to select one of the different game programs and communicate the selected game program to said gaming device, said selection of one of the different game programs being independent of any generation of any of said symbols;

wherein each gaming device which the selected game program is communicated to is programmed, for at least one play of the selected game program, to;

(a) cause each of the reel sets to generate at least one symbol from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program, wherein for each concentric reel set, the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program and the outer reel moves to indicate one of said viewable areas;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

32. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the inner reel and outer reel are each electromechanical.

33. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the selected game program is from a group consisting of a predetermined game program, a randomly determined game program, a game program based on the player'"'"'s status in a player tracking system, a game program based on the player'"'"'s wager, a game program based on a selection by the player a game program based on time, and a game program based on a level of a jackpot award.

34. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein each game program is associated with a paytable which is used if that game program is selected.

35. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein at least one symbol is associated with different functions for different game programs.

36. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the outer reel includes at least one symbol.

37. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the outer reel includes a plurality of symbols.

38. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the inner reel of the gaming device which the selected game program displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by moving the inner reel into a designated position.

39. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the inner reel of the gaming device which the selected game program displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by locking the inner reel in a designated position.

40. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a memory device configured to operate with the controller, wherein said memory device stores a plurality of different game programs, wherein a plurality of game programs are each associated with a different function of at least one physical reel set; and

a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the controller, each gaming device including a processor and a plurality of physical reel sets configured to operate with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel which defines at least one viewable area, wherein the outer reel is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

wherein for each gaming device, the controller is programmed to select one of the different game programs and communicate the selected game program to said gaming device, said selection of one of the different game programs being independent of any generation of any of said symbols;

wherein each gaming device which the selected game program is communicated to is programmed to execute the selected game program, for at least one play of the selected game program, by;

(a) causing at least one of the reel sets to generate one of the symbols, wherein which reel sets generate which symbols is based on the selected game program and for each concentric reel set which generates one of the symbols, the inner reel indicates one of the symbols and the outer reel indicates one of said viewable area;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

41. The gaming system of claim 40, wherein the selected game program is from a group consisting of a predetermined game program, a randomly determined game program, a game program based on the player'"'"'s status in a player tracking system, a game program based on the player'"'"'s wager, a game program based on a selection by the player, a game program based on time and a game program based on a level of a jackpot award.

42. The gaming system of claim 40, wherein each game program is associated with a paytable which is used if that game program is selected.

43. The gaming system of claim 40, wherein at least one symbol is associated with different functions for different game programs.

44. The gaming system of claim 40, wherein at least one game program is associated with movement of at least one outer reel and at least one game program is associated with the non-movement of at least one outer reel.

45. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets configured to operate with the processor, the plurality of reels sets including a plurality of symbols which form a static set of symbols, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel which defines at least one viewable area, wherein said outer reel is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area; and

a memory device for storing a plurality of different game programs, wherein each game program is associated with at least one of a plurality of different subsets of symbols, wherein said symbols of said plurality of subsets of symbols form said static set of symbols;

wherein the processor is configured to operate with said memory device and said reel sets to select one of said game programs independent of any generation of any of said symbols and for at least one play of the selected game program;

(a) cause each of the reel sets to generate at least one symbol from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program, wherein for each concentric reel set, the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program and the outer reel moves to indicate one of said viewable areas;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

46. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by moving the inner reel into a designated position.

47. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by locking the inner reel in a designated position.

48. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the plurality of different game programs are each processor selectable.

49. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the plurality of different game programs are each selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

50. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets configured to operate with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel including a plurality of symbols, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area and is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area; and

a memory device for storing a plurality of different game programs;

wherein the processor is configured to operate with the memory device and the reel sets to select one of the different game programs independent of any generation of any of said symbols and for at least one play of the selected game program;

(a) cause at least one of the reel sets to generate one of the symbols, wherein which reel sets generate which symbols is based on the selected game program and for each concentric reel set which generates one of the symbols, the inner reel indicates one of the symbols and the outer reel indicates one of said viewable areas;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

51. The gaming device of claim 50, wherein the plurality of different game programs are each processor selectable.

52. The gaming device of claim 50, wherein the plurality of different are each selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.