AU2006204619B2

AU2006204619B2 - Gaming Machine with Alternate Win Outcomes

Info

Publication number: AU2006204619B2
Application number: AU2006204619A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jared Kells; Ichiro Tsuchida; Takehiro Tsutsumi
Original assignee: Konami Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Konami Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-30
Filing date: 2006-08-30
Publication date: 2013-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-30
Also published as: AU2006204619A1

Abstract

-27 A gaming machine provided with a spinning primary game and a separate feature game; a predetermined event. in said primary game triggering said separate feature game; said feature game having a win outcome arrangement including the possibility of winning a. number of free primary games and at least .one jackpot prize in each play of said feature game; said free primary games and said at least one jackpot prize awarded according to a numerical value determined through play of said feature game; said numerical. value determined according to the number of win indicating symbols revealed in win indicating symbol containing locations displayed in said feature. game; said win indicating symbol locationescomprising selected ones of a number of opened initially closed boxes; said number of opened boxes dependent on a random number alloc~t.or selected by a player.of said feature game. -27- Fig. I

Description

P/00/009 Regulation 3.10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: GAMING MACHINE WITH ALTERNATE WIN OUTCOMES The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref 062015 -2 GAMING MACHINE WITH ALTERNATE WIN OUTCOMES The present invention relates to gaming machines and, more particularly, to gaming machines providing additional bonus games and jackpot outcomes to players. 5 BACKGROUND Gaming, or poker machines, have become a major source of amusement and diversion in such places as clubs, hotels and casinos in many parts of the world. Traditionally such machines were mechanical devices 10 where a number of reels marked with a plurality of numbers or symbols could be made to spin randomly by the application of some mechanical input. If the subsequent patterns of numbers or symbols displayed on the reels, when these returned to a rest state, corresponded to 15 predetermined patterns, the machine would provide a prize or payout. Generally such gaming machines have come to be regulated by government authorities as to their number and in the manner in which the machines must return a percentage of the monetary turnover to the players. 20 The introduction of electronics, computers and electronic graphical displays, has allowed a continual increase in the complexity and variations of gaming machines, games and displays while maintaining at least some of the basic concepts of the traditional machine. 25 Machines and games that offer novel and stimulating variations on the basic game theme and environment are -3 eagerly sought by the gaming industry and there is consequently intense competition between machine manufacturers to innovate. Nevertheless the repetitive playing of even modern gaming machines can lead to boredom of the players with a consequent under-ut'ilization of machines and increase in player dissatisfaction. It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. NOTE: The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) . is. used in this specification in the .inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION In a first broad form of the invention there is provided a gaming machine with a spinning primary game and a separate. feature game; a predetermined event in said primary game triggering said separate feature game; said feature game. having a win outcome arrangement including the possibility .of winning a number of free primary games and at least one jackpot prize in each play of said feature game; said free primary games and said at least one jackpot prize awarded according to- a numerical value determined through play of said feature game; -4. said numerical value determined according to the number of win indicating symbols revealed in win indicating symbol containing locations displayed in said feature game;. said win indicating symbol locations comprising selected ones of a number of opened initially closed boxes; said number of - opened boxes dependent on a random number allocator selected by a player of said feature game. Preferably, each play of said feature game confers a prize on a player of said feature game. Preferably,. said. at least one jackpot. prize May be won in any play. of. said feature game.. Preferably, a number of free primary games may be won in any play of said feature game. Preferably, said at least one jackpot prize is one of a selection of three jackpot prizes. Preferably, one of said selection of three jackpot prizes combined v/ith~ a number of free primary games may be won in. any play of said feature game. Preferably, a displayed prize table for-, said feature game indicates to a said player that a said. jackpot prize may be won in a said play of said feature game.

Preferably, each outcome of a play of said feature game is a numerical value. Preferably, said numerical value is determinant of awarding a said player said free primary games or a said jackpot prize. Preferably, said numerical value is determinant of awarding a said player said free primary games in combination with a said jackpot prize. Preferably, said numerical value represents a total quantity of opened numbered boxes containing a win indicating symbol; said opened numbered boxes containing said win indicating symbol comprising a subset of an allocated quantity of initially closed numbered boxes. Preferably, said allocated quantity of initially closed numbered boxes is a subset of a fixed total -.quantity of initially closed numbered boxes displayed during play of said feature game. Preferably, said allocated quantity ~of initially closed numbered boxes is determined by a random number selected from a fixed range of numbers. Preferably, said random number is allocated to a said player according to a selection by said player of one said random -6 number allocator from a plurality of displayed random number allocators. Preferably, said random number allocators are displayed to a said player as four playing cards; each said playing card displaying an undifferentiated first face prior to selection by a said player. Preferably, each of said random number allocators is randomly allocated a said random number in the range of twenty to. sixty. Preferably, said random number in the. range of twenty to sixty allocated to a said player determines the maximum number of initially closed numbered boxes to be opened. Preferably, said random number determines a selection~ of identifying numbers of said initially closed numbered boxes; said selection .of identifying numbers randomly chosen from numbers in the range of one to eighty. Preferably, fixed total of initially closed numbered boxes displayed to a said player is eighty initially closed -numbered boxes. Preferably, a randomly selected twenty initially closed numbered boxes of said eighty initially closed numbered boxes contain a said win indicating symbol.

-7 Preferably, said twenty of said initially closed numbered boxes prior to opening of any of said numbered boxes, are indicated to a player by a differentiating colour. Preferably, said initially closed numbered. boxes corresponding to said selection of identifying numbers, are opened during. play of said feature game; the number of opened boxes containing a said win indicating symbol -determining said numerical value. Preferably, opening of said initially closed .numbered boxes is terminated if said numerical value reaches twenty.

Preferably., numerical values displayed on said prize table comprises a selection of numbers in. the range of zero to twenty. Preferably, any. prize of one or more of said free primary games is associated with a single said numerical value. Preferably, any prize of one or more said free primary games is associated with any said numerical value lying within. a range of numerical values. Preferably, any .said jackpot prize is associated with a. single said numerical value.

-8 Preferably, any said jackpot prize is associated with a said numerical value lying within a range of numerical values. Preferably, said jackpot prize is one of three progressive jackpot prizes. Preferably, a said feature game is awarded to a player of said gaming machine on the occurrence of a predetermined event in a primary game played on said gaming machine. Preferably, said gaming machine is a -dual display gaming machine; said dual display comprising a primary display and. a secondary display. Preferably, said gaming machine is a stand-alone gaming machine. Preferably, said gaming machine is a gaming. machine in -a bank of linked gaining machines. Preferably, said feature game is played on said- primary display after a primary game conferring said feature game is completed. Preferably, said feature game is played on a portion of said secondary display after said primary game conferring .. said feature game is completed.

-9 Preferably, at least a portion of said secondary display is adapted for display of said prize table. Preferably, management of said feature game and awarding of a said prize is controlled by software resident on a control module of said gaming machine. Preferably, management of said feature game and awarding of said prize is controlled by a central controller linked to said bank of linked gaming machines. Preferably, the awarding of a feature game on any one of said linked gaming machines is communicated to remaining said gaming machines. In a further broad form of the invention there is provided method for the awarding of prizes for winning outcomes of a feature game played on a gaming machine; said method including the steps of: (a) initiating said feature game at the occurrence of a predetermined event in a primary spinning reel game played on said gaming machine, (b) a player of said feature game selecting a random number allocator from a plurality of displayed random number allocators, - 10' (c) a number allocated by a selected said random number allocator determining a number of win symbol containing locations to be opened as a subset of a displayed number of said win symbol containing locations, (d) determining one numerical value from a range of possible numerical values at an outcome of. said feature game; said numerical value dependent on the number of opened said win symbol containing locations containing -a said win symbol, (e) associating selected ones of said numerical values with selected ones of said prizes, and wherein said prizes include both free primary games and a selection of jackpot prizes. Preferably, a player -awarded said feature game is invited .to select one random number allocator from a plurality.. of displayed number allocators. Preferably, each of said random number allocators is associated with a random number within a predetermined range of numbers. Preferably, said random number within a predetermined range of numbers is the number of initially closed numbered boxes to be randomly opened during play of said feature game; said number a subset of a fixed total number of initially closed numbered boxes displayed during a play of said feature game. Preferably, said total number of initially closed numbered boxes includes a subset of said numbered boxes; each of said subset randomly provided with win indicating symbol. Preferably, said numerical value determined at a said outcome of said feature game is the sum of each randomly opened initially closed numbered box containing .a said win indicating symbol. Preferably, said displayed random number allocators . ate four playing cards; said cards displaying a uniform first face prior to selection by a said player; said cards displaying a second face with said random number subsequent to said selection. Preferably, said random number lies in the range. of twenty to sixty. Preferably, said fixed total number of ~initially closed numbered boxes displayed during a play of said feature game is. eighty. Preferably,' said jackpot prize is one of at least two jackpot prizes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS - 1-2 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical stand 5 alone gaming machine suitable for implementation of a system of alternate win outcomes according to the invention, Figure 2 is a view of a display of a primary game conferring a feature game of the present invention to a 10 player of the gaming machine of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a display indicating to a player the outline or rules governing a feature game, Figures 4A to 4C are representations of displays informing a player of the gaming machine of Figure 1 of 15 possible win outcomes of play of the feature game, Figure 5 is a representation of a display providing a player of the feature game with a choice of random number allocators, Figure 6 is a representation of a display showing a 20 process by which a winning outcome of the feature game is determined, Figure 7 is a bank of linked gaming machines according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a control 25 module, input keyboard and display for implementing the feature game of the present invention.

- 13 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, a gaming machine 10 is provided with both a primary display 12 and a secondary 5 display 14, preferably, though not necessarily, arranged with the secondary display in the upper portion of top box 16 of machine 10. Primary display 12 is adapted for the play of a primary game, the primary game being any one of a number of 10 games of chance, for example implemented as an array of spinning reels as shown in Figure 2, or Keno, in which predetermined events indicate winning outcomes. Winning outcomes of the primary game are treated in the normal manner, conferring a monetary or other predetermined 15 payout. At least some predetermined outcomes of the primary game may confer on the player a feature game. The feature game may be played on the primary display 12, or on a portion of the secondary display 14, at the completion of the primary game. 20 At least a portion of secondary display 14 is arranged for the display of information relating to the rules of play, such as shown in Figure 3, and to the possible prizes which a player may obtain from a winning outcome of the feature game as shown in Figures 4A to 4C. The feature game 25 has a number of possible winning outcomes ("hits"), each of - 14 which is identified by a numerical value within a range of numerical values. A displayed prize table, such as the ones shown in the examples of Figures 4A to 4C, indicates numerical values, 5 or ranges of numerical values associated with particular prizes, comprising either a number of free primary games or one of a selection of jackpot prizes, or a combination of these. A particular aspect of the feature game of the present 10 invention, is that a player who is provided with an opportunity to play a feature game, is aware from the displayed prize table that the possible outcomes of the feature game includes both winning free primary games and the chance of winning a jackpot prize. In one described 15 preferred form of the feature game below, a game outcome will confer either a number of free primary games or one of a selection of jackpot prizes as indicated in the exemplary prize tables of Figures 4A and 4B. In another preferred form a game outcome may again confer a number of free 20 primary games but also may confer one of a selection of jackpot prizes in combination with a number of free primary games, as indicated in the exemplary prize tables of Figure 4C. First Preferred Embodiment - 15 A feature game according to the present invention proceeds by a sequential display of a series of screens, a sample of some of which are shown in Figures 3 to 6. An initial screen (Figure 3) outlines the rules 5 governing the feature game, including the triggering events of the primary game conferring the feature game. Figures 4A to 4C are examples of prize tables displayed to a player of the feature game as previously described, indicating the various numerical values or "hits" associated with a range 10 of free games and jackpot prizes. As can be seen from the prize tables of Figures 4A and 4B, any numerical value in the range of zero to twenty will confer a prize, either a number of free primary games, or one of a selection of jackpot prizes. In the alternative 15 exemplary prize table of Figure 4C, some numerical values in the range from zero to ten, will confer a combination of both a number of free primary games and a jackpot prize. As illustrated in Figure 5, a player is firstly presented with representations of a plurality of random 20 number allocators by the game "dealer" 20. In a preferred form, four random number allocators comprising four playing cards 22 are displayed, with the player invited to select one of the cards. cards 22 initially display uniform first faces as shown in Figure 5, but after selection, the 25 selected card is turned over to reveal a random number.

- 16 The random number thus displayed on the selected card lies between a predefined minimum and maximum, for example between the numbers twenty and sixty. The allocated random number determines the number (quantity) of "safes" or 5 initially closed numbered boxes 30 out of a fixed total number of numbered boxes displayed (see Figure 6), which will be opened to define the numerical value or "hits" of the game outcome. The fixed total number of boxes 30 may for example be 10 eighty boxes as illustrated in Figure 6. Of these a subset, for example twenty boxes, contain a win indicating symbol such as a gold coin 32 as can be seen in some of the opened boxes, for example box number twentyfour, in Figure 6. The actual identifying numbers in the range of one to eighty of 15 the safes or boxes thus allocated to the player for opening, are drawn at random by the game dealer 20. Prior to the opening of any of the boxes 30, the subset of twenty boxes containing win indicating symbols 32 is colour differentiated so that a player will keenly 20 observe these boxes hoping that as many as possible, or that number of them conferring a hoped for prize from the prize table, will be opened. The boxes with the identifying numbers allocated to the player for opening are now opened at random. Each 25 opened box 30 which contains a win indicating gold coin symbol 32 adds to the numerical value determining the game - 17 outcome. Since the minimum number of boxes allocated is twenty (the random numbers ranging from twenty to sixty in this example of the game), it is possible for any player to accumulate a maximum numerical "hit" value of twenty, 5 although clearly, the higher the random number drawn through the selection of the random number allocator, the better the chance of opening a greater number of boxes containing a gold coin. No further boxes are opened if all twenty gold coins have been revealed and the maximum 10 numerical value of twenty accumulated. It will be apparent to a player of a feature game from the displayed prize tables that a win of some prize is assured, since even a numerical value of zero is associated with a number of free primary games. It is however the 15 indication from the prize table that any play of the feature game has the potential of awarding one of the selected jackpot prizes, that provides heightened interest and excitement to a player. Preferably, more than one jackpot prize is included in 20 the prizes listed in any prize table of the feature game. The jackpot prizes are progressive, so that a player who continues to play primary games on the machine will see an increase in the value of the jackpot prizes at each subsequent offer of the feature game. A win of a jackpot 25 prize will return its value to a default base value from - 18 which it then continues to increment at each play of the feature game in which that jackpot prize is not won. Although the feature game has been described above with reference to particular numerical values for the 5 various aspects of the game, other numerical values may be selected to provide for particular probabilities and other desired features of the game without departing from the principle components of the game. 10 SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT It will be understood, that the arrangements of alternate win outcomes of the feature game of the present invention may equally be applied to a bank 200 of linked gaming machines 100 such as shown in Figure 7. In this 15 embodiment, the triggering of the feature game to be offered on any of the machines 100 and the management of outcomes, incrementing of jackpots and the offering of free primary games, may be under the management of a separate central controller 210 linked to the machines 100. 20 In such an arrangement, further interest may be generated by players of the linked machines 100 being made aware by the central controller 210 that a bonus feature game has been awarded to a player of one of the machines. In a linked arrangement of machines, the progressive 25 jackpot values displayed on all of the machines could be incremented when the play of a feature game on any of the -19 machines fails to trigger an award of either or any of the jackpots, thus generating added interest in the players of the other machines. 5 Game Implementation The above described feature game may be implemented on any gaming machine or group of gaming machine provided with a control module. As shown in Fig. 8, a control module 160 is provided with a microprocessor 162 and working random 10 access memory (RAM). The program code driving any of the described embodiments may be introduced into the control module 60 by connection of a data storage device 166. The device may take any of a number of forms, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable read only memory (EPROM), Compact 15 Flash Card, PCMCIA card and the like. Alternatively, control module 160 may incorporate a hard disc drive to which the code may be written via a suitable input device. Control module 60 acts to implement appropriate elements of the program code according to inputs from a 20 user keyboard 168 and outputs video imagery to at least a main display module 170. The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing 25 from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gaming machine provided with a spinning primary game and a separate feature game; a predetermined event in said primary game triggering said separate. feature game;. said feature game having a win outcome arrangement including the possibility of winning a number of free primary games and at least one jackpot prize in each play of said feature game; said free primary games and said at least one jackpot prize awarded according to a numerical value determined through play of said feature game; said numerical value determined according to the number of win indicating symbols revealed -in win indicating symbol.. containing locations displayed in said feature game; said win indicating symbol locations comprising selected ones of a number of opened initially closed boxes; said number :.of opened boxes dependent on a random number allocator selected by a player of said feature game.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein each play of said feature game confers a prize on a player of said feature game.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein said at least one jackpot prize is one of a selection of three. jackpot prizes. -21

4. The gaming machine of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein a displayed prize table for said feature game indicates. to a said player that a said jackpot prize may- be . won in a said play of said feature game.

5. The gaming machine of any one of claims I to 4 in which each outcome- of a play of said feature game. is .a numerical value.

G. The gaming machine of claim 5 wherein said numerical. value is determinant of awarding a said player said- free primary games in combination with a said jackpot prize.

7, The gaming machine.. of claim 5 . or 6 wherein said numerical value represents a total: quantity of opened numbered boxes containing a said win indicating -.symbol; said opened numbered boxes containing a win indicating symbol comprising a . subset of an allocated quantity .of initially closed numbered boxes.

8. The gaming machine of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said random number is allocated to a said player according to a selection by said player of one said random number allocator from a plurality of displayed random number allocators. -22

9. The gaming machine of claim 8 wherein each of said random number allocators is randomly allocated a said. random' number' in the range of twenty to sixty,

10. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said random number in the range of twenty to sixty allocated to a said player determines the maximum number of initially closed numbered boxes to be opened.

11. The gaming machine of claim 10 wherein said random number determines a selection of identifying numbers of said initially -closed numbered boxes; said selection of* identifying numbers randomly chosen from numbers .in the range of one to eighty.

12. The gaming- machine of claim 11 wherein initially closed numbered boxes corresponding to said.- selection, of identifying numbers, are opened during play of said feature game; the number of opened boxes containing. a said win indicating symbol determining said numerical value.

13. The gaming machine of claim- 12 wherein opening of. said initially closed numbered boxes is terminated if. said numerical value reaches twenty.

14. The gaming machine of any one of claims .1 to 13 wherein numerical values displayed on -sa4-d a prize table - 23 comprises a selection of numbers in the range of zero to twenty.

15. The gaming machine of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said jackpot prize is one of three progressive jackpot prizes,

16. The gaming machine of any one of claims 1 to .15 wherein a said feature game is awarded to a player of said gaming machine on the occurrence of a predetermined event in a primary game played on said gaming machine.

17. The gaming machine of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said gaming machine is a dual display gaming machine; said dual display comprising a primary display and a secondary display.

18. The gaming machine of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said gaming machine is a stand-alone gaming machine.

19. The gaming machine of any one of claims I to .16 wherein said gaming machine is a gaming machine in a. bank of linked gaming machines. -24

20. A method for the awarding of prizes for winning outcomes of a feature game played on a gaming machine; said method including the steps of: (a) initiating said feature game at the occurrence of a predetermined event in a primary spinning reel game played on said gaming machine, (b) a player of said feature game selecting a random number allocator from a plurality of displayed random number allocators, (c) a number allocated by a selected said random number allocator determining a number of win symbol containing locations to be opened as a subset of a displayed number of said win symbol containing locations, (d) determining one numerical value from a range of possible numerical values at an outcome of said feature game; said numerical value dependent on the number of opened said win symbol containing locations containing a said win symbol, (e) associating selected ones of said numerical values with selected ones of said prizes, -25 and wherein said prizes include both free primary games and a selection of jackpot prizes.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein each of said random number allocators is associated with a random number within a predetermined range of numbers.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said random . number within a predetermined range of numbers is the number of initially closed .numbered boxes to be randomly opened during play of said feature game; said number a subset of a fixed total number of initially closed numbered -boxes displayed during a play of said feature game.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said total number of initially closed numbered boxes includes a subset of said numbered boxes; each of said subset randomly provided with. win indicating symbol.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said numerical value determined at a said outcome of said feature. game is the sum of each randomly opened initially, closed .numbered box containing a said win indicating symbol,

25. The method of any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein said jackpot prize is one of at least two jackpot prizes. -26

26. The method of any one of claims 20 to 25 wherein said jackpot prize is one of at three jackpot prizes; said jackpot prizes including a mini jackpot, a minor jackpot.. and a major jackpot prize.

27. Media for storing enabling digital code for playing games according to any of claims 1 to 26; said media. comprising solid state data retaining devices including, read only memory (ROM) and erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), compact flash cards and ,PCMCIA cards;. said media further including disc-based storage. devices.