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Patent 2430047 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2430047
(54) English Title: MULTIPLE SPIN SLOT MACHINE
(54) French Title: MACHINE A SOUS A ROTATIONS MULTIPLES
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • G07F 17/34 (2006.01)
  • G07F 17/32 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • GEIGER, KENNETH S. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY, INC (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • PARK PLACE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION (United States of America)
(74) Agent: GOWLING LAFLEUR HENDERSON LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2003-05-29
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2003-11-30
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
10/159,978 United States of America 2002-05-31

Abstracts

English Abstract



A slot machine offers a player an increased number of pulls on the slot mace
pine in
return for additional wager amounts at the beginning of a new game. Depending
upon the
amount of the additional wager, the slot machine will offer the player one or
two additional
pulls of the slot machine. If the additional wager is in an amount sufficient
to pay for one
additional pull, after the first pull occurs and the reels of the slot machine
come to rest, the
player is informed by the slot machine that an extra pull can be made at no
additional cost. If
the additional wager is in an amount sufficient to pay for two additional
pulls, after the second
pull, the player is again informed by the slot machine that a second extra
pull can be made at no
additional cost.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A method of playing a game of chance on a slot machine, the slot machine
having
a plurality of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot
reels spin and come
to rest, the method comprising:
(a) receiving one or more wager units from a player to play the game; and
(b) before the slot reels begin to spin, the slot machine determining the
number of spins
that are to be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an
additional wager unit, based
on the number of the wager units received from the player, wherein the number
of spins may be
greater than one depending upon the number of received wager units.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the number of wager units is proportional to
the
determined number of spins.

3. A method of playing a game of chance on a slot machine, the slot machine
having
a plurality of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot
reels spin and come
to rest, the method comprising:
(a) receiving a wager from a player to play the game: and
(b) before the slot reels begin to spin, the slot machine determining the
number of spins
that are to be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an
additional wager, based on
the amount of the wager received from the player, wherein the number of spins
may be greater
than one depending upon the amount of the received wager.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
(c) the player initiating the spinning of the slot reels a first time;
(d) the slot machine presenting a first random outcome when the slot reels
come to rest
a first time; and

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(e) if the determined number of spins is greater than one, the slot machine
prompting the
player to initiate the spinning of the slot reels a second time without
requiring receipt of an
additional wager.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
(f) the player initiating the spinning of the slot reels a second time;
(g) the slot machine presenting a second random outcome when the slot reels
come to
rest a second time; and
(h) if the determined number of spins is greater than two, the slot machine
prompting
the player to initiate the spinning of the slot reels a third blue without
requiring receipt of an
additional wager.

6. A method of playing a game of chance on a slot machine, the slot machine
having
a plurality of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot
reels spin and come
to rest, the slot machine dispensing a payout if the presented random outcome
matches one of a
plurality of winning outcomes as determined by the slot machine, the method
comprising:
(a) receiving one or more wager units from a player to play the game, the sum
of the
received wager units being less than or equal to a maximum wager limit;
(b) the player initiating the spinning of the slot reels a first time;
(c) the slot machine presenting a random outcome when the slot reels come to
rest a first
time; and
(d) dispensing a payout if the random outcome of step (c) matches one of the
winning
outcomes, wherein the size of the payout is larger if the sum of the received
wager units is
equal to the maximum limit and the random outcome matches a specific one of
the winning
outcomes

7. A method of playing a game of chance on a slot machine, the slot machine
having
a plurality of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot
reels spin and come
to rest, the method comprising:
(a) receiving a wager from a player to play the game; and

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(b) before the slot reels begin to spin, the slot machine determining a number
of extra
spins of the slot reel that can be initiated by the player without requiring
receipt of an additional
wager, based on the amount of the wager received from the player, wherein the
numbed of spins
may be greater than one depending upon the amount of the received wager.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
(c) informing the player of the determined number of extra spins,
(d) the player initiating the spinning of the slot reels a first time;
(e) the slot machine presenting a first random outcome when the slot reels
come to rest a
first time; and
(f) if the determined number of extra spins is greater than zero; the slot
machine
informing the player that the spinning of the slot reels can be initiated a
second time without
requiring receipt of an additional wager.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
(g) the player initiating the spinning of the slot reef a second time;
(h) the slot machine presenting a second random outcome when the slot reels
come to
rest a second time; and
(i) if the determined number of extra spins is greater than one, the slot
machine
informing the player that the spinning of the slot reels can be initiated a
third time without
requiring receipt of an additional wager.

10. A slot machine for playing a game of chance on a slot machine, the slot
machine
having a plurality of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the
slot reel spin
and come to rest, the slot machine comprising:
(a) means for receiving one or more wager units from a player to play the
game; and
(b) means for determining, before the slot reels begin to spin, the number of
spins that
are to be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an additional
wager unit, based on

11



the number of the wager units received from the player, wherein the number of
spins may be
greater than one depending upon the number of received wager units.

11. The slot machine of claim 10 wherein the number of wager units is
proportional
to the determined number of spins.

12. A slot machine for playing a game of chance, the slot machine having a
plurality
of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot peels spin and
come to rest, the
method comprising:
(a) means for receiving a wager from a player to pity the game; and
(b) means for determining, before the slot reels begin to spin, the number of
spies that
are to be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an additional
wager, based on the
amount of the wager received from the player, wherein the number or spins may
be greater than
one depending upon the amount of the received wager.

13. The slot machine of claim 12 further comprising:
(c) means for prompting the player to initiate the spinning of the slot reels
a second time
without requiring receipt of an additional wager, after the player initiates
the spinning of the
slot reels a first time and if the determined number of spins is greater than
one.

14. The slot machine of claim 13 further comprising:
(d) means for prompting the player to initiate the spinning of the slot reels
a third time
without requiring receipt of an additional wager, after the player initiates
the spinning of the
slot reels a second time and if the determined number of spins is greater than
two.

15. A slot machine for playing a game of chance, the slot machine having a
plurality
of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot reels spin and
come to rest, the
slot machine dispensing a payout if the presented random outcome matches one
of a plurality of
winning outcomes as determined by the slot machine, the slot machine
comprising:
(a) means for receiving one or more wager units from a player to play the game
the sum
of the received wager units being less than or equal to a maximum wager limit;
and

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(b) means for dispensing a payout if the random outcome matches one of the
winning
outcomes, wherein the size of the payout is larger if the sum of the received
wager units is
equal to the maximum limit and the random outcome matches a specific one of
the winning
outcomes.

16. A slot machine for playing a game of chance. the slot machine having a
plurality
of slot reels which present a random outcome each time the slot reels spin and
come to rest, the
method comprising:
(a) means for receiving a wager from a player to play the game; and
(b) means for determining, before the slot reels begin to spin, a number of
extra spins of
the slot reel that can be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of
an additional wager,
based on the amount of the wager received from the player, wherein the number
of spins may
be greater than one depending upon the amount of the received wager.

I7. The slot machine of claim 16 further comprising:
(c) means for informing the player of the determined number of extra spins;
(d) means for informing the player, after the player initiates the spinning of
the slot reels
a first time, that the spinning of the slot reels can be initiated a second
time without requiring
receipt of an additional wager if the determined number of extra spins is
greater than zero.

18. The slot machine of claim 17 further comprising:
(e) means for informing the player, after the player initiates the spinning of
the slot reels
a second time, that the spinning of the slot reels can be initiated a third
time without requiring
receipt of an additional wager if the determined number of extra spins is
greater than one.

-13-

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02430047 2003-05-29
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
(0001 j Multiple Spin Slot Machine
BACKGFtOIJND OF THE Ih'''ENTION
[0002] In conventional schemes used in slot machines; additional wager amounts
may be
input prior to a spin or pull of a slot machine. In a multiplier game, as more
coins (wa:;er
amounts) are put in, the resultant payouts are multiplied. In a buy game
("but'-a-pay"). the
more coins (wager amounts) that are put in, the more combinations of syrabols
on a si~~glc line
can be a winner. Each coin buys a specific section of the pay table. In mufti-
line gam. (e.g., 3
line pay, S line pay), as more coins (wager amounts) are put in, additional
lines can be ~ ~ovinner.
The lines may be straight across, or may make patterns that cross over into
adjacent lit.ns. The
lines are referred to as ''pay lines" (paylines). In such conventional
schemes, when e~.-t ra wager
amounts are paid to the slot machine, the player is provided only one
opportunity to sp n the
reels of the slot machine. Thus, game play lasts only as long as the time it
takes to complete the
one spin.
[0003] In al~ottter conventional scheme, a "hold-and-respin" slot game permits
a player to
hold the results of one or more reels and spin the remaini..ng reels a second
time in an at tempt to
improve the resulting random outcome presented by the reels. Only one payout
result;. from
this scheme.
[0004] When additional coins are dropped into mechanical one line pay stopper
cep 1 slot
machines before the reel is pulled, the additional coins drop down into the
pay hopper ~ ~r return
coin hopper, and are not held by the machine as a credit for another spin.
Thus, such shot
machines have no ability to allow for multiple pulls for additional wager
amounts.
[0005] Pig. 1 shows hoGV a cowentional slot machine operates. In step 105, the
slat
machine receives a wager from a player. The wager may Consist of one or more
coins, or rnay
be debited from an account associated with the player through the use of a
debit or cre~.iit card.
In step 110, the player initiates the spinning of the slot reels by "pulling"
on a lever or caressing
a button on the slot machine. In step I 15, the spinning reels of the slot
machine come t o rest
and the slot ma.ehi.lle presents a random outcome. If a winning outcome is
presented by.~ the slot
machine (step 1?0), a payout is dispensed to the player by the slot machine
(slot 125). Thus,
7G~53 ~ t

CA 02430047 2003-05-29
the pace of the game is very rapid; and the player must provide a new wager
for each
opportunity to spin the reels) of the slot machine.
[0006[ It is desired to extend the time of game play and increase the
interactiontin~e
between the slot player and the slot machine without altering the overall
payback perch: stages
of the slot machine. The present invention fulfills this need by providing a
new eategcry of slot
machine that accepts additional ~s~ager amounts. The slot machine plays a
"single-line" game.
The number of coin initially dropped into the slot machine, or credited using
a debit
arrangement, determines the number of extra pulls (:pins) that the player may
initiate.
BF'TEF SlJIvhVIt3RY Or THE INVENTION
[0007] The pcesent iwention allows a player to play a game of chance on a slot
machine.
The slot machine has a plurality of reels which present a random outcome each
time th~: reels
spin and come to rest. One or more wager units are received from a player to
play the game.
Before the slot reels begin to spin, the slot machine determines the number of
spins tha are to
be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an additional cvaaer
unit, based oa the
number of the water units received from the player. The number of spins may be
areaier than
one depending upon the number of received wager units. The number of atager
units r~ gay be
proportional to the determined number of spins.
[UOU8~ )(n another embodiment of the present invention, a wager i5 received
from tl~e player
to play the game. Before the slut reef begin to spin, the slut machine
determines the n~,~rnber of
spins that are to be initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an
additional wa;~.er,
based on the amount of the wager received from the player. The number of spins
may o;
greater than one depending upon the amount of the received wager.
[0009] The player may initiate the spinning of the slot reels a first time.
The slot machine
may present a fast random outcome when the slut reels come to rest a first
time. If the
deteranined number of spins is greater than one, the slot machine may prompt
the playev to
initiate the spinning of the slot reels a second time without requiring
receipt of an additional
wader.
[0010) The player may initiate the spinning of the slot reels a second time.
The slog
maclaine may present a second random outcome when the slot reels come to react
a secovd time.
If the determined number of spins is greater than ttvo, the slot machine may
prompt the player

CA 02430047 2003-05-29
to initiate the spinning ef the slot reels a third time without requiring
receipt of an addi :ional
wager.
(0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the slot machine
dispenses a
payout if the presented random outcome matches one of a plurality of winning
outcom ~a as
determined by the slot machine. One or more wager units are received ~rom a
player t;~ play the
game The sum of the received wager units is less than or equal to a maximum
wager limit.
The player initiates the spinning of the slot reels a first tune. The slot
machine present ~ a
random outcome when the slot reels come to rest a first tune. A payout is
dispensed ii the
random outcome matches one of the winning outcomes. The size of the payout is
larg..:r if the
sum of the received wager units is equal to the tnax.imum limit and the random
autcosc~e
matches a specific one of the winning outcomes.
(OOlz] 1n yet another embodiment ofthe present invention, a wager is received
from a
player to play the game. Before the slot reels begin to spv~, the slot machine
determin.~s a
number of extra spins of the slot reels that can be initiated by the player
without requic ~ng
1S receipt of an additional wager, based on the amount of the wager received
from the player.
(0013] The player may be informed ofthe deternuned number of extra spins. The
player
initiates the spinning of the slot reels a first time. The slot machine
presents a first random
outcome when the slot reels come to rest a fast time. If the determined number
of ext° a spins is
greater than aero, the slot machine informs the player that the spinning of
the slot reek. can be
initiated a second time without requiring receipt of a~~ additional wager.
j0014] The player may initiate the spinning of the slot reels a second time.
The s1 .t
machine may present a second random outcome when the slot reels come to rest a
sec nd time.
1'f the determined number of extra spins is greater than one, the slot machine
may infoc m. the
player that the spinning of the slot reels can be initiated a third time
without requiring receipt of
an additional wager.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAr.'~%~WS OF THE DRAVPING
(0015] Thte following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the
invention will
be better understood ~~hen read ii conjunction with the appended dra.7,rings.
for the propose of
illustrating the invention, there are shown in the deau~ings embodiments which
are presently
preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited
to the pr: ~cisc
arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
-3 -

CA 02430047 2003-05-29
[0016] In the drawings:
(0017] Fig. 1 slows a hi;h-level functional flowcluut including steps
implemented by a
conventional slot machine;
(0018] Fig. 2 shows a high-level functional flowchart including steps
implemented i.a
accordance with the present invention;
(0019] Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C show° an example of a slot machine in
accordance with a
prefewed embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] Fig. 4 sho~c~s a payout table in accordance with one embodi.rttent of
the pres ant
i nvention.
bBTAI~,ED DESCRIPTION Or THE INVENTION
(0021] The basic premise of the present invention is to increase the reel spin
value for the
time that a slot player is using a specific slot machine. A ylayer is allowed
to make additional
spins (i.e., additional pulls of the wheel) during the play period. A desired
percentage Gold is
implemented by a single-line (one-payline) game wherein one coin (one wager
amou.n~ ) would
IS entitle the player to two pulls or spins (2 for 1). two coins two wager
amounts) would entitle
the player to three pulls (3 for 1), and so on. A pay table is used by the
slot machine tc~ play a
"single-line game." The number of coins initially dropped into the machine (or
credited using a
debit arrangement) determines the number of extra pulls (spins).
(0022] If the player inserts only a single wager amount at the start of game
play (e ,;., one
coin or the equivalent in debits), the player gets one pull and can win on
only cane line. This is
similar to the manner in which a conventional slot machine operates.
[0023) In one embodiment of the present invention, if the slot player inserts
an add itional
wager amount at the start of game play (i.e., double the single wager amount),
the play~:r gets a
total of two pulls, but can still only win on one line for each of the pulls.
The player is
informed at the start of the game play that the additional wager amount
entitles the pla,~er to an
extra pull, The extra pull occurs after the all of the reels come to rest
after the first pull, The
slot machine prompts the player at the end of the first pull that an extra
pull can be ma. e, for
example by indicating to the player to "play your extra spin." The player must
initiate the
second pull. All of the reel positions are spun again during the second pull.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, if the player inserts
two ad ~iitional
wager amounts at the start of game play (i.e., tziple the sin6le wager
amount), the player gets a
-4-

CA 02430047 2003-05-29
total of three pulls. but can still only win on one line for each of the
pulls. The player
informed at the start of the game play that the additional wager amounts
entitle the pla~~.~er to
two extra pubs. The details of the three-pull scheme are identical to the two-
pull scheme,
except that the player is informed twice (instead of once) during gauge play
that an ext. a pull
can be made.
(OU2SJ In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top awards
for a ~rarticular
random outcome presented by the reels of the slot machine are paid at a
premium rate v,vhen the
player buys extra spins with additional coins. The promotional information on
the slot machine
will encourage the player to play ''rnax coin'' or "may: bet" (i.e., put in 3
coins, instead ~f just I)
to get extra spins and extra payouts. The odds ofwinning a payout
(irrespecti~~e of its ~~alue) is
higher for the two and three spin options, than when making a single wager for
only ot~ ~ spin.
[0026] The slot machine may be marketed as a "2 for 1" or "3 for 1" game, por
example;
the one play wager amount and the additional wager amount may be marketed as a
siy lc wager
amount for which the player receives two spins. Likewise, the one play wager
amount and the
1 ~ two additional wager amounts may be marketed as a single wager amount for
which th~~ player
receives three spins. Effectively, the player is paying far e~.-tra spins with
extra coins 1l ~St as if
the slot machine was fed a single coin, spun, fed another coin, spun, and so
on. The on' noted
difference is that the odds of ~~innine ar a better for the player when using
the iroultiple -pin
option provided by the slot ma.c.hine.
[0027] Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a
wager for
three pulls of a slot machine is received by the slot machine. The present
invention is not
necessarily limited to the preferred embodiment. as any number of pulls may be
associ,. tcd with
a wager in accordance with the present invention, In step 205, the slot
machine receive; a
wager from a player. The wager may consist of one or more coins, or may be
debited t ~-am an
account associated with the player through the use of a debit or credit card.
In step 21G. a
processor in the slot machine determines the number of credited spins that the
player a iy
initiate without an additional wager. The number of credited spins is
determined based on the
wager that the slot machine receives from the player prior to the first spin.
In step 21 ~, the
player initiates the spinning of the slot reels o~the slot machine a first
time by "pulling' on a
lever or pressing a button on the slot machine. In step 220, the spinning
reels come to ~ eyt and
the slot machine presents a first random outcome. If the determined number of
credited spins is
not greater than one (i.e.. it is one), the slot machine will not allow the
player to initiate the
-5-

CA 02430047 2003-05-29
spinning of the. reels a se.c.ond time until another u~age.r is received by
the slot machine If the
determined number of credited spins is greater than one (step 225), the player
is prompted to
initiate the spinning of the reels a second time (step 230). (n step 235, the
player initiates the
spinning of the slot reels a second time. In step 240, the spinning reels come
to rest an~i the slot
machine presents a second random outcome. If the determined number of credited
spies is
greater than two (step 245), the player is prompted to initiate the spinning
of the reels a third
time (step 2~0). In step 255, the player initiates the spinning of the slot
reels a third tirue. In
step 260, the spinning reels come to rest and the slot machine presents a
tliird random t utcome.
If any of the random outcomes we winning outcomes, a payout is dispensed to
the plainer by the
slot machine for each winning outcome After the third rmdom outcome, the
player n-~sst
provide a new wager before again spinning the reels ofthe slot machine,
~0028~ Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate an example of a slot machine 300
operatinC t ~
accordance with the preferred embodiment described above. The slot machine 300
inc i.udes a
processor 30~, a memory 3I0, a display 315, a wager receiwer/counter 320, a
means 3~:5 for
initiating the spinning of the slot reels of slot machine 300, and random
outcome mean : 330 for
presenting a random outcome. Random outcome means 330 includes one or more
slot reels
(e.g., see reels l, 2 and 3).
[0029 A game of chance is played on slot machine 300 which presents a random
outcome
each time the slot reeli of the slot machine 300 spin and come to rest. The
wager
receiver/counter 320 receives a wager from a player to play the game. The
wager may consist
of one or more coins (e.g., one, two or three quarters), or may be debited
from an accow.mt
associated with the player throug)a the use of a debit or credit card. Before
the slot reel ~ begin
to spin, the processor 305 in slot machine 300 determines the number of spins
that are to be
initiated by die player without requiring receipt of an additional wager,
based on the amount of
the wager received from the player by vcrager receiver/counter 320. As shown
in Fig. 3 ~, if an
additional wager unit is received by vs~ager receiver/counter 320, the display
315 inforrvs the
player that he or she is entitled to at least one extra spin (e.g., "you paid
for two e~ctra spins").
The player initiates the spinning of the slot reels a first time by activating
the means 32 ~ for
initiating the spinning ofthe slot reels of slot machine 300 (e.g., the player
pulls a handle/lever,
3U or pushes a button). The random outcome means 330 of slot machine 300
presents a first
random outcome when the slot reels of the random outcome means come to rest a
fast vne. If
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CA 02430047 2003-05-29
the first random outcome is a winning outcome, a payout is dispensed to the
player by ~ he slot
machine 300.
[0030] As shown in Fig. 3I3, if the number of spins determined by processor
305 is greater
than one (or the number of extra spins is at least one), the display 315 of
slot machine . U0
prompts the player to initiate the spinning of the slot reels a second time
{e.g., "play yon ~r 1 st
e~ctra spin" j without requiring receipt of an additional waeer. V~rhen the
player initiates the
spinnine of the slot reels a second time, the slot machine 300 presents a
second random
outcome when the slot reels come to rest a second time. If the second random
outcomf is a
winninn outcome, a payout is dispensed to the player by the slot machine 300.
(0031] As shown in Fig. 3C, if the number of spins determined by processor 305
is greater
than tv~~o (or the number of extra spins is at least two), the display 3 l 5
of slot machine ; 00
prompts the player to initiate the spinning of the slot reels a third time v~-
ithout requirin~~ receipt
of an additional wager (e.g., "play your 2nd e~-tra spin"). When the player
initiates the ;pinning
of the slot reels a third time, the slot machine 300 presents a third random
outcome whe n the
slot reels come to rest a third time If the third random outcome is a
v~~inning outcome, ..: payout
is dispensed to the player by the slot machine 300
[0032] The wager received by the wager recei:Verlcounter 320 may consist of
one of more
wager units (e.g., coins). The processor 305 determines the number of spins
that are to I~e
initiated by the player without requiring receipt of an additional wager unit,
based on th.~
number of the wager units. The nuriaber of wager units can be proportional to
the determined
number of spins (e.g., one coin per spin, two coins per spin, etc.).
(0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the slot machine 300
dispen:.es a
payout if the presented random outcome matches one of a plurality of winning
outcome:- as
determined by the slot machine 300. One or more wager units ane received from
a play< r to
play the game. The sum of the received waber units is less than or equal to a
maximum wager
limit. The player initiates the spinning of the slot reels a frst time. The
slot machine 3C~)
presents a random outcome when the slot reels come to rest a first tune. The
slot machi~~e 300
dispenses a payout if the random outcome matches one of the winning outcomes .
The si to of
the payout is larger if the sum of the received wager units is equal to the
maximum limit and the
random outcome matches a specif c oae of the winning outcomes.
[0034] Pig 4 shows an example of a payout table 400 (also referred to as a
"pay schedule"
or "paytable") used for determi~ung the amount of a payout that is to be
disbursed by the slot
_7_

CA 02430047 2003-05-29
machine 300 when a winning outcome results. As described above, when a minimum
.eager is
received by the slot machine 300, a special payout is paid if a specific.
winning outcome results
(e.g., 1000 credits for DD DD DD). if the ma~;imurn eager is not received, a
smaller p ayout is
disbursed (e.g., 800 credits for DD DD DD).
[0035] The coding for the example in Fig. 4 is as follo»rs:
[0036) DD = Double Diamond;
[0037] 7 = Seven;
[0038) 3B -- Triple Bar;
[0039] 2B = Double Bar;
[0040] 1B = Single Bar;
[0041] AB = Any Bar (i.e., a single, double or triple bar);
[0042] 2 CH = Two Cherries; and
(0043] 1 CH = Single Cherry.
(0044] The scope of the present invention includes embodiments with any number
~i~slot
reels, including only one slot reel. The present in~~ention may be implemented
with an~~
combination of hardware anal software. If implemented as a computer-
implemented apparatus,
the present invention is implemented using means for performing all of the
steps and fi ~nrtions
described above-
(0045] The present invention may be implemented with any combination of
hardware and
sofl<vare. The present invention can be included in an article of manufacture
(e g., one or more
computer program products) having, for instance, computer useable media. The
~medi;~ bas
embodied therein, for instance, computer readable progra>Ti code means for
providing ~~nd
facilitating the mechanisms of the present invention. The article of
manufacture can b~
included as part of a computer system or sold separately.
[004G] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could
be made to the
embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments cnsclosed,
but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the
present invention
_g_

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2003-05-29
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2003-11-30
Dead Application 2009-05-29

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2008-05-29 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE
2008-05-29 FAILURE TO REQUEST EXAMINATION

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2003-05-29
Application Fee $300.00 2003-05-29
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2004-04-21
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2005-05-30 $100.00 2005-03-18
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2005-10-03
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2006-05-29 $100.00 2006-05-04
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2007-05-29 $100.00 2007-05-03
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY, INC
Past Owners on Record
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
GEIGER, KENNETH S.
PARK PLACE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2003-05-29 1 19
Description 2003-05-29 8 449
Claims 2003-05-29 5 206
Drawings 2003-05-29 6 98
Representative Drawing 2003-07-30 1 12
Cover Page 2003-11-04 1 41
Assignment 2005-10-03 5 130
Assignment 2003-06-20 4 141
Assignment 2003-05-29 2 75
Assignment 2004-04-21 3 76