Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING AN APPEARANCE OF
MECHANICAL DEVICES DISPLAYED ON A GAMING MACHINE
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] This invention is directed to gaming machines, and more particularly,
to a
method and apparatus for changing an appearance of mechanical devices
displayed on a gaming machine.
Background
[0002] Wagering base games such as mechanically driven spinning reel slots, or
electronically driven video slots, video poker, video blackjack, video keno,
video
bingo, video pachinko, and video lottery, etc., provided by gaming machines
are
well known in the gaming industry. Recently, special feature games have been
used in conjunction with the base games to enhance player enjoyment and
therefore encourage game play. Special feature games generally provide a
greater chance of winning than the base games and therefore utilize different
math models which yield more favorable player odds than the math models
utilized for base games. The special feature game play, including bonus game
play (where an additional wager is not required) and special secondary game
play (where an additional wager may be required) may be similar to or
completely different from the base game play.
[0003] Visual images provided by video displays are easily changed and
therefore, the visual images displayed on a gaming machine during special
feature game play are often different from visual images displayed during base
game play. Among other things, this enables a player to easily differentiate
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between special feature game play and base game play. As a result, player
awareness is increased and base game play down-time is decreased, thereby
minimizing revenue loses possibly incurred during special feature game play.
In
addition, gaming regulations in some jurisdictions require that a player must
have
the opportunity to visually differentiate between base game play and special
feature game play when different math models are used for each; a
differentiation easily accomplished by video gaming machines.
[0004] Mechanical devices displayed on gaming machines ("displayed
mechanical devices"), including mechanical wheels, mechanical dice, mechanical
spinning reels, etc., are often used in conjunction with special feature game
play.
Unlike the ease with which visual images provided by video displays are
changed, the appearance of a displayed mechanical device is fixed and is
therefore not easily changed. Thus, potential increases in a player's
awareness
are not available when displayed mechanical devices are utilized for special
feature game play. In addition, gaming machines having displayed mechanical
devices may not be compliant with certain gaming regulations requiring visual
notification to the player when he/she moves between base and special feature
game play.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for changing the
appearance of a displayed mechanical devices) on a gaming machine during
special feature game play. Such an appearance change visually notifies a
player
when base game play is underway and when special feature game play is
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underway. The special feature game may be a bonus game or any other
secondary game offered by the gaming machine. The displayed mechanical
device may be a plurality of mechanical spinning reels, a mechanical wheel,
mechanical dice or any other mechanical device used for special feature game
play. The method includes receiving a wager to play a wagering base game,
detecting a first indication to play a special feature game and, in response
to
detecting the first indication, changing an appearance of the displayed
mechanical device. Although the appearance change preferably includes
changing a color of the displayed mechanical device using an illumination
source, the appearance change may also include superimposing a colored filter
or superimposing a video image upon the displayed mechanical device. The
illumination source may include black-light, colored or white light emitting
diodes
(LEDs), organic light emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs or colored film used
in
conjunction with incandescent bulbs or LEDs. The colored LEDs may be single
color LEDs or multicolor LEDs, for example dual-LEDs capable of producing two
primary colors and a third combination color. The method further includes
detecting a second indication to terminate play of the special feature game,
and
in response to detecting the second indication, restoring the appearance of
the
displayed mechanical device. If an illumination source is utilized to change
the
color of the displayed mechanical device, restoring the appearance of the
displayed mechanical device is accomplished by de-illuminating the
illumination
source upon completion of special feature game play (i.e., causing the
illumination source to be in an off-state upon completion of special feature
game
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play). If a superimposed video image is utilized to change the appearance of
the
displayed mechanical device, restoring the appearance of the displayed
mechanical device is accomplished by removing the superimposed video image.
[0006] Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of
ordinary
skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments,
which is
made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided
below.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gaming machine
where the appearance of displayed mechanical devices is changed in
accordance with the invention.
[0008] FIGURE 2 is an exemplary reel display area of the gaming machine of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the exemplary visual reel display
area
showing placement of a series of illumination sources configured behind the
reel
display area to illuminate reel symbols in accordance with an embodiment of
the
invention.
[0010] FIGURE 4 is a side view of an exemplary mechanical spinning mechanical
reel that may be included in the gaming machine of FIG. 1 with portions broken
away to reveal internal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of the electronic components of the gaming
machine of FIG. 1.
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[0012] FIGURE 6 is a flowchart of an appearance changing routine that may be
performed during operation of the gaming machines of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIGURES 7-15 are a series of exemplary visual reel display areas that
may be displayed during performance of the appearance changing routine of
FIG. 6.
Description of the Preferred Examples
[0014] The description of the preferred examples is to be construed as
exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention.
Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current
technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which
would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0015] In general, the present invention provides a gaming machine having one
or more displayed mechanical devices configured to allow a change to the
appearance of the displayed mechanical devices) in accordance with the
invention. The displayed mechanical devices may include mechanical reels,
mechanical wheels, mechanical dice, etc. In response to moving or
transitianing
between base game play (with base game mathematical odds) and special
feature game play (typically with special feature mathematical odds more
favorable to the player), visual changes or changes to the appearance of
displayed mechanical devices are accomplished using any number of illumination
sources including black-light, colored or white light emitting diodes (LEDs),
organic LEDs (OLEDs), incandescent bulbs, and/or colored film or filter in
conjunction with incandescent bulbs and/or LEDs. The colored LEDs may be
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single color LEDs or multicolor LEDs, for example dual-LEDs capable of
producing two primary colors and a third combination color. The illumination
sources may be positioned in front of, behind, on top of, on the bottom of, on
the
sides of, or anywhere around the displayed mechanical devices, depending on
the configuration of the gaming machine. The visual change to the appearance
preferably includes altering or changing a color of the displayed mechanical
device. The visual change may also include highlighting, front lighting or
backlighting all or a portion of the displayed mechanical device, edge
lighting the
displayed mechanical device, darkening an area around the displayed
mechanical device, or superimposing a colored filter (e.g., colored film
material)
or superimposing a video image on the displayed mechanical device. A method
and apparatus for superimposing a video image on mechanical reels is described
in a United States Patent No. 6,517,433, entitled "Reel Spinning Slot Machine
with Video Superimposed Image", naming Loose et al. as inventors, issued
February 11, 2003 and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0016] As described below, the present invention is preferably implemented in
a
mechanical spinning reel slot machine. It is contemplated that the present
invention may also be implemented in a video slot machine or in other types of
video gaming machines having displayed mechanical devices utilized for special
feature game play.
(0017] An advantageous feature of changing the appearance of mechanical
devices displayed on a gaming machine in accordance with the invention is
increased player awareness during special feature game play. Another
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advantageous feature of changing the appearance of mechanical devices during
special feature game play in accordance with the invention is compliance with
gaming regulations requiring visual notification to a player when he/she moves
from base game play to special feature game play and from special feature game
play to base game play.
[0018) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a gaming
machine 10 where the appearance of displayed mechanical devices is changed
in accordance with the invention. The gaming machine 10 may be any type of
wagering gaming machine having displayed mechanical devices and therefore
may have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the
gaming machine 10 may be a mechanical spinning reel gaming machine (with or
without an arm mechanism) configured to play a base slot game and a special
feature game using the mechanical reels, or it may be a video gaming machine
having mechanical dice configured to play a video wagering game and a special
feature game using the mechanical dice, and so on. For exemplary purposes,
various elements of the gaming machine 10 are described below, but it should
be
understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be utilized in any
number of combinations to create a variety of gaming machine types.
[0019) Referring to Fig. 1, the gaming machine 10 includes a cabinet 12 having
a
door 14 to provide access fio the interior of the gaming machine 10. Attached
to
the door 14 are audio speakers) 17 and a belly glass area 18 that typically
displays game theme artwork. The audio speakers) 17 may be used to
generate a variety of sounds such as the sound of spinning slot machine reels,
a
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dealer's voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to the
wagering
game.
[0020] Also attached to the door 14 are a number of value input devices that
allow a player to insert value for game play. The value input devices may
include
a coin slot acceptor 20 or a note acceptor 22 to input value to the gaming
machine 10. The note acceptor 22 may accept value in any number of forms,
including currency or a currency-sized paper ticket voucher inscribed with
information such as a bar code representing value, the name of the casino, the
date, etc. As used herein, the term "value" may encompass gaming tokens,
coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, smart cards,
and
any other object representative of value.
[0021] The gaming machine 10 may also include a player tracking area 23 having
a card reader 24, a keypad 25 and a display 26. As will be appreciated by
those
of ordinary skill in the art, the player tracking area 23 may be located in
any
number of areas of the gaming machine 10. The display 26 may be implemented
using a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an
LED
display, and/or a touch screen to display information to a game player or
casino
employee. The card reader 24 may include any type of card reading device,
such as a magnetic card reader, smart card reader or an optical card reader.
The card reader 24 may be used to read data from a card (e. g., a credit card,
a
player tracking card, a smart card, etc.) offered by a player. If provided for
player
tracking purposes, the card reader 24 may be used to read data from, andlor
write data to, cards capable of storing data. Such data may include the
identity
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of a player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits, etc. Once
gathered, the data can be "mined" (i.e., the data is sorted to identify
patterns and
establish relationships) for any number of purposes including administering
player awards, distinguishing player preferences and habits, accounting, etc.
[0022] The gaming machine 10 also includes a main display device 31 for
displaying a symbol array of artwork and blank symbols affixed to the
mechanical
spinning reefs. The symbol array may include occurrences of non-winning
symbol combinations where no value payout is awarded to the player, or
occurrences of winning symbol combinations (reflected in a pay table) where
value payouts are awarded to the player. In addition, the main display device
31
may display other mechanical devices or may display animation, 2-D images, 3-
D images or digital video playback, to name a few.
[0023] In the case of a video gaming machine, the main display device 31 may
be configured with a video display for displaying video game images (e.g.,
simulated reel symbols, simulated cards, simulated numbers, etc.). Such a
video
display may be implemented as a CRT, an LCD, a plasma display, or other type
of video display suitable for use in a gaming machine, and may be configured
with or without a touch screen. For example, in a video gaming machine
offering
a card game such as poker, the main display device 31 may include an LCD-TFT
display displaying one or more cards.
[0024] For mechanical spinning reel slot machines, the main display device 31
may further include a reel display area adapted to display game information to
a
player while, at the same time, allowing a player to view a reel symbol array
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provided by the stopped mechanical spinning reels. The game information
displayed via the reef display area may include game denominations, available
credits, pay lines, wagering information, and other suitable game information.
When the mechanical spinning reels are rotated and stopped, the resulting
symbol array in conjunction with game information displayed in the reel
display
area provide a game outcome and game status to the player.
[0025] For example, FIG. 2 is an exemplary reel display area 50 for a slot
game,
X-tra Hot 7'sT"", that may be included in the main display device 31. The
exemplary reel display area 50 includes one pay line 51 superimposed across
three mechanical spinning reels, a denomination indicator 52 for indicating a
value-per-credit (e.g., twenty-five cents per credit), a credit meter 53 for
displaying a number of credits available for game play, a win meter 54 for
displaying credits resulting from a winning symbol combination, a bet
indicator 55
for displaying the number of credits wagered for a particular play, and an
additional information display 56. The credit meter 53, the win meter 54, the
bet
indicator 55, and the additional information display 56 may be enabled via an
array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a cathode ray tube (CRT), an LCD, a
plasma display, or any other type of suitable display.
[0026) FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the exemplary visual reel display area
50
showing placement of a plurality of illumination sources 60 behind the reel
display area (i.e.; the interior side of the exemplary visual reel display
area 50 ) to
illuminate reef symbols in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Each of the illumination sources 60 may include a series of white or colored
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LEDs, or one or more white or colored incandescent lights affixed in a
suitable
manner to the interior side of the exemplary reel display area 50. Such LEDs
or
incandescent fights are configured to cast colored lighting upon the
mechanical
reels and therefore upon the reel symbol arrays displayed to the player during
special feature game play. Thus, if white LEDs or white incandescent lights
are
utilized, colored film located between the LEDS or incandescent lights and the
mechanical spinning reels can be added to provide color to the light cast upon
the reels. In addition, if black-light sensitive ink is utilized for a portion
of the
reels symbols, the illumination sources 60 may be configured with black light
to
change the symbol appearance when the illumination sources 60 are activated
during special feature game play. Although located behind the reel display
area
50, above and below the displayed reel symbols, the illumination sources 60
may
be located in any suitable position to illuminate reel symbols in accordance
with
an embodiment of the invention.
(0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary mechanical spinning mechanical
reel 62 that may be included in the gaming machine 10 with portions broken
away to reveal internal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. In addition to the illumination sources 60 providing front
lighting, the
exemplary mechanical spinning mechanical reel 62 further includes illumination
sources 70 configured to provide backlighting to the exemplary mechanical
spinning mechanical reel 62. The illumination sources 70 may be configured to
as white LEDs or incandescent lights to simply backlight the reel symbols, or
may
be configured with both white and colored LEDs (e.g., single color LEDs, dual
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color LEDs) or incandescent lights to provide backlighting during base slot
game
play and colored backlighting during special feature game play in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 may also include a top
box 34 having additional speakers) 36 and a top box display device 38.
Although not separately illustrated, the top box may also include a camera, a
microphone, and/or a displayed mechanical device. The top box display device
38 may enable a number of game enhancements such as bonus games,
interactive tournament games, progressive jackpot games, etc. !n the case of a
mechanical spinning reel slot machine, the top box display device 38 may be a
static display configured to display award information such as pay tables for
base
or special feature games via glass art.
[0029] The gaming machine 10 may also include a player control panel 44. The
player control panel 44 may be provided with a number of pushbuttons or touch-
sensitive areas (i.e., touch screen) that may be pressed by a player to select
games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc. As used herein, the term
"button" is intended to encompass any device that allows a player to make an
input, such as a mechanical input device that must be depressed to make an
input selection or a display area that a player may simply touch. The number
of
pushbuttons may include one or more "Bet" buttons for wagering, a "Max Bet"
button for making the maximum wager allowable for the game, a "Play" button
for
beginning pay, a "Repeat" button for repeating the previous wagering
selection, a
"Collect" button for terminating play and cashing out of the game, a "Help"
button
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for viewing a help screen, a "See Pays" button for causing the main display
device 31 to generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout
information for the game or games provided by the gaming machine 10, and a
"Call Attendant" button for calling an attendant. Further, although the
control
panel 44 is shown to be separate from the main display device 31, it should be
understood that the control panel 44 could be generated by the main display
device 31 as a touch-sensitive screen.
[0030] The player control panel 44 may further include a number of wager
selection buttons that allow a player to specify a wager amount for each pay
line
selected (via selecting multiple amounts of the smallest wager accepted). In
addition, the gaming machine 10 may include a number of pay fine selection
buttons that allow the player to select one of a number of possible of pay
lines
prior to spinning the reels. For example, five selection buttons may be
provided
to allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine pay lines prior to
each
reel spin. if required, additional buttons such as a bonus button 19 may be
provided on the player control panel 44 for special feature game play.
Options for Chancing the Appearance of Displayed Mechanical Devices
[0031] Although not separately illustrated in FIG.1, the gaming machine 10 may
also include illumination sources such as black-light, colored or white LEDs,
OLEDs, incandescent bulbs, and/or colored film in conjunction with
incandescent
bulbs or LEDs. The illumination sources may be positioned in front of, behind,
on
top of, on the bottom of, on the sides of, or anywhere around displayed
mechanical devices (e.g., mechanical spinning reels) of the gaming machine 10,
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depending on the configuration of the gaming machine. When activated, one or
more of the aforementioned illumination sources is configured to cause a
visual
change to the appearance of the displayed mechanical device(s). The visual
change preferably includes changing a color of the displayed mechanical device
however, the visual change may also include highlighting, front lighting or
backlighting all or a portion of the displayed mechanical device, edge
lighting the
displayed mechanical device, darkening an area around the displayed
mechanical device, or superimposing a colored fitter or a video image upon the
displayed mechanical device.
[0032] Referring again to F1G. 1, when a player inserts value in the gaming
machine 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited are
shown on a credit meter for example, on the credit meter 53 (FIG. 2). After
depositing the appropriate amount of value and making a pay lines) selection,
the player can begin game play by pulling the mechanical arm or by pushing an
appropriate button such as the Bet button, the Max Bet button, or the Play
button
on the player control panel 44. Additional details describing game play on the
gaming machine 10 where the appearance of displayed mechanical devices is
changed in accordance with the invention are included below (FIG. 6).
[0033] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a number of components that may be
incorporated in each of the gaming machines) 10 of FIG 1. Referring to Fig. 5,
the gaming machine 10 includes a controller 200 that may comprise a program
memory 202, a microcontroller-based platform or microprocessor (MP) 204, a
random-access memory (RAM) 206 and an input/output (I/O) circuit 208, all of
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which may be interconnected via a communications link, or an addressldata bus
210. The microprocessor 204 is capable of controlling the display of images,
symbols and other indicia such as characters, people, places, things, and
faces
of cards to be displayed. The RAM 206 is capable of storing event data (e.g.,
coins-in, coins-out, games played) or other data used or generated during a
base
or special feature game play. The program memory 202 is capable of storing
program code which controls the gaming machine 10 so that base or special
feature game play can occur in accordance with applicable math models, game
rules, and pay tables. Although the program memory is preferably implemented
as a non-volatile read only memory (ROM), it could also be a flash or battery
backed RAM in order for the program memory 202 to be updated by a coupled
server or floor controller. For example, when a player transitions from base
mechanical slot game play to special feature game play, the microprocessor
204,
executing code in the program memory 202, causes the appearance of the
mechanical reels to change by activating color-tinted front lighting to
illuminate
the mechanical reels.
(0034) It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor 204 is
shown, the controller 200 may include multiple microprocessors 204. For
example, the controller 200 may include one microprocessor for executing low
level gaming functions and another processor for executing higher level game
functions such as some communications, security, maintenance, etc. Similarly,
the memory of the controller 200 may include multiple RAMS 206 and multiple
program memories 202, depending on the requirements of the gaming machine
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10. Although the I/O circuit 208 is shown as a single block, it should be
appreciated that the I/O circuit 208 may include a number of different types
of IIO
circuits. The RAM(s) 206 and program memory(s) 202 may be implemented as
semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically
readable memories, etc. Further, the term "controller" is used herein to refer
collectively to the program memory 202, the microprocessor 204, the RAM 206
and the I/O circuit 208.
[0035] Fig. 5 illustrates that multiple peripheral devices, depicted as
peripheral
devices 211, 212, and 214, may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit 208.
The peripheral devices may include a control panel with buttons, a coin slot
acceptor, a note acceptor, a bill validator, a card reader, a keypad, a sound
circuit driving speakers, a card reader display, a video display, a touch
screen, a
mechanical wheel, mechanical dice, etc. In the case of a spinning reel slot
machine, the peripheral devices may include a number of electro-mechanical
spinning reels and a mechanical arm similarly coupled to the I/O circuit 208.
Although three peripheral devices are depicted, more or less peripheral
devices
may be included.
[0036] It should be appreciated that although the controller 200 is a
preferable
implementation of the present invention, the present invention also includes
implementation via one or more application specific integrated circuits
(ASICs),
field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), adaptable computing integrated
circuits, one or more hardwired devices, or one or more mechanical devices.
Furthermore, although the controller 200 preferably resides in the gaming
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machine 10, the present invention includes providing some or all of its
functions
at another location such as a server coupled to the gaming machine 10.
[0037] One manner in which the gaming machine 10 may operate is described
below in connection with one or more flowcharts) which represents a number of
portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may be stored in
one or more of the memories of the controller 200. The computer programs) or
portions thereof may also be stored remotely outside of the gaming machine 10
and may therefore control the operation from a remote location.
[0038] Traditionally the appearance of a displayed mechanical device on a
gaming machine was not changed when a player transitioned between base
game play and special feature game play. Thus, the player may not have been
aware of the end of base game play and the beginning of special feature game
play, particularly in those cases where base game play and special feature
game
play required the same player action (e.g., initiating a reel spin). In
addition,
because of a lack of an ability to change the appearance of the displayed
mechanical devices, manufacturers of certain gaming machines utilizing
displayed mechanical devices for special feature game play are believed to
have
been precluded from selling their gaming machines in particular jurisdictions.
[0039] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the appearance of
displayed mechanical devices of the gaming machine 10 is changed when the
controller 200 detects an indication of a player transition from base game
play to
special feature game play, and vice versa. The indication may be based on a
player selection or based on an occurrence of a triggering event (e.g., an
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occurrence of special symbol) during base game play. In one example, OLEDs
placed around mechanical dice may be activated to illuminate when the
controller
200 receives an indication that the player selects a button to suspend base
game
play and begin special feature game play utilizing the dice. In another
example,
a color of the mechanical reels of the gaming machine 10 is changed via
illuminating tinted or colored front lighting when the controller 200 receives
an
indication that base game play is suspended due to a triggering event and
special feature game play utilizing the mechanical reels is imminent.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an appearance changing routine 300 that may be
performed by the controller 200 of the gaming machine or by another controller
coupled to the gaming machine 10. The appearance changing routine 300
provides one example of changing the appearance of displayed mechanical
devices (e. g., mechanical reels) of the gaming machine 10 when a player moves
from base game play (e.g., mechanical slot game) to special feature game play
(e.g., a Can't Lose T"" bonus game, described in United States Patent
Application
entitled "Gaming Machine Having a Player Time-Selectable Bonus Award
Scheme", naming Alfred Thomas as inventor, filed June 30, 2003 and herein
incorporated by reference in ifs entirety). Although discussed below in the
context of a mechanical base slot game and the Can't LoseT"" bonus game for
illustrative purposes, it is contemplated the appearance changing routine 300
may be executed in conjunction with any number of other wagering games
provided by gaming machines utilizing displayed mechanical devices for special
feature game play.
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[0041] Referring to FIG. 6, the appearance changing routine 300 begins
operation when the controller 200 detects a wager for base game play (step
302). Detection of a wager includes detecting a value input, detecting a bet,
and
detecting game play initiation by a player. The controller 200 detects the
value
input when a player deposits one or more of coins, paper currency, a card, or
a
voucher into a value input device of the gaming machine 10. When the
controller 200 detects the value input, a number of credits corresponding to
the
amount deposited are displayed on a credit meter of the main display device
31,
for example, on the credit meter 53. After value input detection, the
controller
200 enables game play. In the illustrated example of a base slot game, game
play may begin with pay line selection by the player, If there is more than
one
pay line, the controller 200 enables a bet-per-pay line selection. If
selected, the
bet-per-pay line selection is displayed to the player via a bet meter (e.g.,
the bet
meter 55) on the gaming machine 10. In addition, the controller 200 provides
the
player with an option to select a maximum bet (via a "Max Bet Spin" button).
Thus, the player may choose the maximum bet option causing maximum pay line
selection and maximum credits rather than the pay line selection and the bet
per
pay line selection.
[0042] Upon detecting the pay lines) and bet-per-pay line selections (if
applicable) and verifying the value input, the controller 200 enables (step
304)
play of the base game; in the illustrated example, enabling reel spin. The
player
may spin the reels of a slot game by depressing a button such as a "Spin
Reels"
pushbutton provided on the player control panel 44 or by pulling a handle if
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provided on the gaming machine 10. In either case, the controller 200, having
determined a game outcome based on operation of a pseudo random generator
device, stops the reels such that they display a symbol array representing the
game outcome.
[0043] If the symbol array displayed by the stopped reels includes one of the
winning symbol combinations displayed on a pay table, the controller 200
credits
(step 306) the player with a value payout associated with the displayed
winning
symbol combination. The.additional value payout is reflected as credits on a
credit meter (e.g., the credit meter 53). If the symbol array displayed by the
stopped reefs does not include one of the winning symbol combinations
displayed on a pay table, no value payout is credited to the player.
[0044] In addition the controller 200 determines whether an indication to
initiate
special feature game play has been detected (step 308). In some cases, the
time of initiating special feature game play is determined by the controller
200
based on a triggering event occurring during base game play. In the
illustrated
example, however, the time of redemption of accrued winning outcomes, and
therefore special feature game play, is determined by the player via selection
of a
Can't Lose T"~ bonus button. If no indication to initiate special feature game
play
is detected by the controller 200, the player is given an option to continue
base
game play (step 320) when another wager is detected (step 302). If another
wager is not detected, the controller 200 may detect selection of a cash-out
option by the player, for example, via selection of the "Collect" button
provided on
the gaming machine 10 and respond by dispensing remaining value to the player
2U
CA 02466573 2004-05-06
(step 322). The value may be dispensed as coins, paper currency, a credit on a
card, or a voucher indicating credit, depending on operation of the gaming
machine 10 and the player's preferences.
[0045] If the controller 200 detects an indication to initiate special feature
game
play, the controller 200 activates the appropriate black-lights, colored or
white
LEDs, OLEDs, incandescent bulbs, etc. to cause a change to the appearance of
displayed mechanical devices (step 310). As mentioned above, the indication
may be based on a player selection or based on an occurrence of a triggering
event during base game play. In the illustrated example, when the controller
200
detects player selection of the Can't LoseT"" bonus button, the controller 200
preferably causes activation of colored front lighting. The colored front
lighting is
configured to cast a color upon the mechanical reels to change the appearance
of the mechanical reel symbols displayed in the exemplary reels display area
50.
The changed appearance of the mechanical reel symbols visually notifies the
player that Can't Lose T"~ bonus game play (having more favorable mathematical
odds) has been initiated, and that the player should play accordingly. The
controller 200 causes the reels to spin and then stop to display a winning
symbol
combination associated with Can't LoseT"" bonus game play (step 312) and
award the player accordingly.
[0046] During play of the special feature game, the appearance of the
displayed
mechanical device remains changed from its appearance during base game play.
In the illustrated example, the colored front lighting remains activated to
maintain
the changed reel appearance during Can't Lose T"" bonus game play. As a
result,
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CA 02466573 2004-05-06
a winning symbol combination displayed during the Can't Lose T"" bonus game is
a different color than the same winning symbol combination displayed during
base slot game play. In addition, because both the base slot game and the
Can't
Lose T"" bonus game require the same player action, initiating a reel spin,
visual
notification to the player of the transition to special feature game play is
desirable.
(0047) Referring again to FIG. 6, upon receiving an indication to end special
feature game play (step 314), the controller 200 causes the appearance of the
displayed mechanical device to be restored to its base game play appearance
(step 316). Thus, when the controller 200 detects an indication signifying the
end
of special feature game play, the controller 200 deactivates the appropriate
black-lights, colored or white LEDs, OLEDs, incandescent bulbs, etc. to
restore
the displayed mechanical devices) to a base game play appearance. In the
illustrated example, the indication to end Can't Lose T"" bonus game play may
be
detection of player selection of the Max Bet button or the Spin Reels button
indicating that he/she is no longer redeeming winning outcomes) and is instead
wagering for base slot game play. Alternatively, the indication to end Can't
LoseT"~ bonus game play may be player selection of the Cash Out button
indicating that he/she is ending all game play on the gaming machine 10. Thus
when the controller 200 detects an indication signifying the end of special
feature
game play, the controller 200 deactivates the colored front lighting.
[0048) For example, FIGs. 7-15 are a series of exemplary visual reel display
areas that may be displayed during performance of the appearance changing
CA 02466573 2004-05-06
routine 300 described above. Although Can't Lose''"~ bonus game play is used
for illustrative purposes, it is contemplated that any other bonus games
utilizing
displayed mechanical devices may be used.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 7, the exemplary reel display area 402 includes one
pay
line 403, a denomination indicator 404 for indicating a value-per-credit, a
credit
meter 405 for displaying a number of credits available for game play, a win
meter
406 for displaying credits resulting from a winning symbol combination, a bet
indicator 407 for displaying the number of credits wagered for a current game.
Also included in the exemplary reel display area 402 are a "Spin Reels" button
408, a "Max Bet" button 409, a "Cash Out" button 410, and the bonus game
button 419. The bonus game button 419 includes a counter display 421 and a
feature name, (i.e., "Can't Lose") and is adapted to enable a player who has
accumulated winning outcomes, to redeem the winning outcomes at a time of
his/her choosing (i.e.. Can't LoseT"" bonus game play). The counter display
421
increments each time a winning outcome is accrued during base slot game play
and decrements each time the winning outcome is redeemed during Can't
Lose T"" bonus game play.
[0050] In the illustrated example, the credit meter 405 displays 696 available
credits for additional base slot game play, the win meter 406 displays no
credits
indicating that the player did not get a winning symbol combination, and the
counter display 421 on the bonus game button 419 displays seven accrued
winning outcomes.
23
CA 02466573 2004-05-06
[0051] As a result of a "Spin Reels" selection by the player during base slot
game
play (FIG. 8), the reels spin (FIG. 9) and then stop (FIG. 10), yielding
another
accrued winning outcome. The additional winning outcome is reflected on the
counter display 421 as eight accrued winning outcomes. The credit meter 405
displays 693 available credits for additional game play and the win meter 406
displays no credits indicating that the player did not get a winning symbol
combination.
[0052] As mentioned above, the Can't Lose T"" bonus game allows the player to
choose a time to redeem accumulated winning outcomes. When the player
chooses to redeem a winning outcome (FIG. 11), the player selects the bonus
game button 419 (i.e., indicates initiation of special feature game play).
Upon
detecting selection of the bonus game button 419, the controller 200 causes
colored front lighting to be activated (i.e., activates an appearance change
to the
mechanical reels) thereby changing the appearance of the mechanical reels
displayed in the exemplary reels display area 402 (FIG. 12). The controller
200
also causes the reels to spin and stop (FIG. 13) to display a winning symbol
combination (e.g., 2 triple bars and 1 single bar) and the counter display 421
is
decremented by one, yielding seven remaining winning outcomes. As a result of
the winning symbol combination, the number of available credits is increased
by
five from 693 to 698 credits.
[0053] Continuing with the example, the player selects the Spin Reels button
(FIG. 14) indicating a desire to resume base slot game play. Upon detection of
selection of Spin Reels button, the controller 200 causes the colored front
lighting
24
CA 02466573 2004-05-06
to be deactivated (i.e., deactivates an appearance change to the mechanical
reels) thereby restoring the appearance of the mechanical reels to their base
slot
game play appearance. In addition, the controller 200 causes the reels to spin
(FIG. 15) and stop as discussed in connection with FIGs. 9 and 10. Thus, in
the
illustrated example, the appearance of the mechanical reels is changed from a
base game appearance to a special feature game appearance when a player
transitions from base slot game play to Can't LoseT"" game play, and is
restored
to the base game appearance when the player transitions from Can't Lose T"~
game play to base slot game play.
[0054] As may be apparent from the discussion above, the present invention
providing an appearance change to a displayed mechanical devices) on a
gaming machine provides visual player notification that special feature game
play
is underway rather than base game play. The appearance change is activated
when the player transitions from base game play to special feature game play
and continues during special feature game play. The appearance of the
displayed mechanical devices) is restored when the player transitions from
special feature game play to base game play.
[0055] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and
modifications may be affected without departing from the scope of the novel
concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitations with
respect to
the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be
inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such
modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
