EP1996302A1 - Gaming apparatus with bonus award - Google Patents

Gaming apparatus with bonus award

Info

Publication number
EP1996302A1
EP1996302A1 EP07710555A EP07710555A EP1996302A1 EP 1996302 A1 EP1996302 A1 EP 1996302A1 EP 07710555 A EP07710555 A EP 07710555A EP 07710555 A EP07710555 A EP 07710555A EP 1996302 A1 EP1996302 A1 EP 1996302A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
symbols
display area
symbol display
substitute
symbol
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07710555A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1996302A4 (en
Inventor
Mario R. Castellari
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2006901264A external-priority patent/AU2006901264A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1996302A1 publication Critical patent/EP1996302A1/en
Publication of EP1996302A4 publication Critical patent/EP1996302A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3267—Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to gaming apparatus. It relates particularly to gaming apparatus which displays a random arrangement of symbols and awards a win based on a pattern of symbols which complies with a predetermined set of rules.
  • a slot machine also known as a poker machine or a fruit machine.
  • a slot machine is a coin-operated machine with three or more reels that rotate when a lever on the side of the machine is pulled. The machine typically pays off based on patterns of matching symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops.
  • More contemporary slot machines use a video display in place of rotating reels to display symbols, although the images shown on the video display are usually designed to imitate the appearance of rotating reels.
  • a "spin” typically involves inserting money into a slot, or in more contemporary machines providing a payment such as an electronic payment and selecting a stake amount, and then pulling a handle, pressing a button or in some other way activating the machine, which then causes the reels to rotate (or the simulated reels to simulate rotation) or some other movement of symbols (for example dropping something into a bucket or a spinning action on each symbol as opposed to the spinning of the reels) before coming to rest and displaying a pattern of symbols.
  • a common type of variation is a "free spin", in which the player is awarded one or more free spins after playing a predetermined number of losing spins, or when a predetermined triggering event occurs.
  • a free spin occurs after having achieved a display pattern of symbols which does not qualify for a "win” according to the predetermined rules of the game, but which does qualify for a free spinHowever, the use of free spins is disadvantageous from the machine owner's point of view because it results in reduced revenue. From the player's point of view, the degree of excitement generated by a free spin is relatively small because a free spin has no lasting value, and the free spin is typically identical to a paid spin apart from the insertion of money or wagering of a new stake.
  • gaming apparatus including: (a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols;
  • a symbol selection component which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;
  • a win-indicating component which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules
  • the gaming apparatus may include a stake selection component which enables a player to select different amounts to wager as a stake on different games. This enables the player to set a higher stake when a bonus substitute period is indicated, which is desirable from the player's point of view because the probability of winning is higher during a bonus substitute period.
  • a bonus-triggering combination may be any suitable combination of symbols.
  • a bonus-triggering combination consists of one or more trigger symbols.
  • the length of the bonus substitute period and/or the number of substitute symbols available during a bonus substitute period can be determined by one or more of the following:
  • the symbols appearing in the symbol display area are arranged in rows and columns, and when substitute symbols are inserted, they fill one or more complete columns.
  • the one or more substitute symbols are shown outside the symbol display area during a bonus substitute period and appear to fly into the symbol display area when a pattern of symbols is displayed.
  • the substitute symbols are added as an extra column to the columns displayed in the symbol display area.
  • a method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of: (a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area;
  • a gaming apparatus including:
  • a symbol selection component which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;
  • a win-indicating component which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules
  • a substitute symbol insertion component which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a substitute symbol has been purchased; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
  • a method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of:
  • the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules; (c) the gaming apparatus indicating the possibility to purchase a substitute symbol;
  • the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more purchased substitute symbols into the symbol display area; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a gaming apparatus.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of various elements of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of various control components used to control operation of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a display area of gaming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart showing steps involved in the operation of a first embodiment of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 shows the display area of Figure 4 with the Free Substitute
  • Figure 7 shows the display area of Figure 6 with available substitute symbols shown during a bonus substitute period.
  • Figure 8 shows the display area of Figure 6 with substitute symbols applied.
  • Figure 9 shows the display area of Figure 8 with two winning combinations highlighted.
  • Figure 10 shows the display area of Figure 7 with the substitute symbols applied as an extra column or "bonus reel".
  • Figure 1 1 is a flow chart showing steps involved in the operation of a second embodiment of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1 .
  • a gaming apparatus 100 including various standard components, such as a controller 200 for controlling the operation of the gaming apparatus 100 and the games run on it, a coin/token/card input 202 for receiving bets, a coin/token/card output 204 for paying out winnings, a display 206 for displaying game screens, and user inputs 208 for allowing user interaction, which may include e.g. buttons 210 and which may e.g. be provided as part of the display 206 in a touch-screen type manner.
  • a controller 200 for controlling the operation of the gaming apparatus 100 and the games run on it
  • a coin/token/card input 202 for receiving bets
  • a coin/token/card output 204 for paying out winnings
  • a display 206 for displaying game screens
  • user inputs 208 for allowing user interaction, which may include e.g. buttons 210 and which may e.g. be provided as part of the display 206 in a touch-screen type manner.
  • the gaming apparatus 100 may be a stand-alone machine. It may also be networked with other gaming apparatuses and/or a control centre via a suitable communications network 212, such as a LAN and/or WAN, in order to play networked (e.g. intranet or Internet) games, such as a linked jackpot.
  • a suitable communications network 212 such as a LAN and/or WAN, in order to play networked (e.g. intranet or Internet) games, such as a linked jackpot.
  • the gaming apparatus 100 will display an initial gaming screen on the display 206.
  • a player will insert coins, tokens and/or a payment card into the input 202, and will press a button 210 to initiate play. How matters then proceed will depend on the type of game being played. For example, in a slot machine- type game, the gaming apparatus will display virtual reels of symbols, and will spin and stop these reels in various win and lose symbol combinations on a payline in accordance with a stored gaming algorithm and random number generator. The player may interact with the machine via the buttons 210, so as e.g. to spin or hold reels, or to obtain and throw away cards. Whatever game is played, a common element will be win events, e.g. particular symbol or card combinations, that pay out a prize or jackpot.
  • the controller 200 includes a processor 214, a main memory 216 for storing a series of computer program instructions to cause the processor 212 to carry out a desired sequence of operations, a seconary memory 218 for storing data generated during operation of the gaming apparatus 100, an input/output module 220 to enable command and data signals to be communicated between the controller 200 and the other elements shown in Figure 2, and a communications bus 222 to enable communication between the processor 214, main memory 216, secondary memory 218 and input/output module 220.
  • the series of computer program instructions stored in the main memory 216 may includes a number of components, such as a symbol selection component 300, a win indicating component 302, a bonus indicating component 304, a substitute symbol insertion component 306, a stake selection component 308 and a symbol purchasing component 310.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a display area of gaming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the display area includes a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols - in this case, a matrix of 3 rows by 5 columns, representing 5 reels each displaying 3 symbols.
  • each column illustrated in Figure 4 simulates the appearance of a rotating reel with a number of different symbols on the outside of the reel, and the reel eventually comes to a stop at a random position in its rotation, displaying three symbols.
  • a "win” occurs when four or five adjacent symbols in a row on the symbol display area are identical.
  • the win-indicating component 302 which may include visual and aural signals, indicates at step 506 that a win has occurred. It will be appreciated that there are numerous different possible rules for determining whether a pattern of symbols includes a "winning combination"; for example, wins might occur if a given number of adjacent symbols have matching colours or are in numeric sequence, or if a given number of the same symbol appear regardless of location on the symbol display area.
  • the bonus-indicating component 304 indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules.
  • the three "T" symbols appearing in Figure 4 in this instance represent triggers which trigger a "bonus substitute period" which last for a predetermined number of "spins", such as ten "spins".
  • the bonus- indicating component 304 may indicate a bonus period at step 510 in any suitable manner, which may include visual and aural signals.
  • the bonus-indicating component is a shaded box labelled "Free Substitute Bonus".
  • the bonus- indicating component also shows the substitute symbols which will be used at step 512, thereby enhancing the immediacy of the substitute experience.
  • the symbols shown at the right hand side can be made to "fly in” to their substituted positions, thus making the gaming experience more immediate.
  • the substitute symbol insertion component 306 arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area at step 514when a bonus substitute period is indicated.
  • three substitute symbols are inserted to replace the second column in the matrix of Figure 2, creating the matrix pattern of Figure 8.
  • each of the "S" symbols functions as a wildcard, so that, as indicated by the boxes with thick outlines in Figure 9, this results in two "winning” patterns, namely the top row which includes “A S A A”, and the bottom row which includes "K S K K K".
  • these patterns are equivalent to "A A A A” and "K K K K K”.
  • Four or five identical adjacent symbols in a row on the symbol display area constitute a winning pattern, according to the rules predefined for the game. If a wining combination is detected at step 516, the win indicating component 302 indicates at step 518 that a win has occurred.
  • the stake selection component 308 which enables a player to set a stake for each game. As the chances of winning a game during a bonus substitute period are higher than for a normal game, this permits a player to select a higher stake when a bonus substitute period is indicated.
  • a symbol display showing three trigger symbols (“T"s) constitutes a bonus-triggering pattern.
  • T trigger symbols
  • any suitable pattern may be defined as a bonus-triggering pattern.
  • a bonus period may be extended if a further bonus-triggering pattern occurs during the bonus period.
  • the length of the bonus substitute period may be a period of time, but more preferably it is a number of "spins", and it can be determined by one or more of the following:
  • the substitute symbol insertion component 306 may be adapted to check at step 520 whether the bonus substitute period has expired before allowing the insertion of substitute symbols.
  • the number of substitute symbols available during a bonus substitute period may be determined by one or more of the following:
  • Figure 1 1 shows a series of steps carried out by the gaming apparatus 100 in an alternative embodiment to that shown on Figure 5.
  • steps 1 1 10 to 1 106 are identical to steps 500 to 506 in Figure 5.
  • the symbol-purchasing component 310 may be provided, either in addition to the bonus-indicating component 304 or as a replacement thereof. In any event, the symbol-purchasing component 310 enables a player to purchase one or more substitute symbolsat step 1 108. Having purchased one or more substitute symbols (and optionally having those symbols displayed at step 1 1 10), the player may then insert the substitute symbols into the symbol display at step 1 1 12. If a winning combination is detected at step 1 1 14, the win indicating component 302 indicates that a win has occurred at step 1 1 16. Clearly, there will be a cost associated with the purchase of symbols if a player elects this particular option.
  • the cost of purchasing one or more symbols will most likely be decided by the designers and manufacturers of the gaming apparatus and the cost could be as little as one cent or any amount greater and may even exceed the total stake for the particular game.
  • the step of inserting substitute symbols into the symbol display may be done automatically by the gaming apparatus 100 at random, in a random column, or in a manner designed to optimise the player's chances of winning the game. In the example illustrated in Figure 8, the row of substitute symbols has been inserted in the position which best optimises the wins. As an alternative, the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area may be done manually by the player, and it may be up to the player to choose the optimum place for insertion. Depending on the rules selected for playing the game, the substitute symbols may be inserted as a column or as separate entries. It will be appreciated that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Abstract

Gaming apparatus (100) including (a) a symbol display area (224), which displays a plurality of symbols; (b) a symbol selection component (300), which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area; (c) a win-indicating component (302), which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules; (d) a bonus-indicating component (304), which indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules; (e) a substitute symbol insertion component (306), which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a bonus substitute period is indicated; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.

Description

GAMING APPARATUS WITH BONUS AWARD
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to gaming apparatus. It relates particularly to gaming apparatus which displays a random arrangement of symbols and awards a win based on a pattern of symbols which complies with a predetermined set of rules.
Background to the Invention One of the most common types of gaming apparatus is a slot machine, also known as a poker machine or a fruit machine. Classically, a slot machine is a coin-operated machine with three or more reels that rotate when a lever on the side of the machine is pulled. The machine typically pays off based on patterns of matching symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. More contemporary slot machines use a video display in place of rotating reels to display symbols, although the images shown on the video display are usually designed to imitate the appearance of rotating reels.
A "spin" typically involves inserting money into a slot, or in more contemporary machines providing a payment such as an electronic payment and selecting a stake amount, and then pulling a handle, pressing a button or in some other way activating the machine, which then causes the reels to rotate (or the simulated reels to simulate rotation) or some other movement of symbols (for example dropping something into a bucket or a spinning action on each symbol as opposed to the spinning of the reels) before coming to rest and displaying a pattern of symbols.
It will be appreciated that the use of a slot machine can become quite repetitive, so variations in the manner of play are sometimes introduced in order to improve the entertainment provided. A common type of variation is a "free spin", in which the player is awarded one or more free spins after playing a predetermined number of losing spins, or when a predetermined triggering event occurs. In another example, a free spin occurs after having achieved a display pattern of symbols which does not qualify for a "win" according to the predetermined rules of the game, but which does qualify for a free spinHowever, the use of free spins is disadvantageous from the machine owner's point of view because it results in reduced revenue. From the player's point of view, the degree of excitement generated by a free spin is relatively small because a free spin has no lasting value, and the free spin is typically identical to a paid spin apart from the insertion of money or wagering of a new stake.
A reference herein to a document or other matter which is described as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims herein.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided gaming apparatus including: (a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols;
(b) a symbol selection component, which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;
(c) a win-indicating component, which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;
(d) a bonus-indicating component, which indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules; (e) a substitute symbol insertion component, which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a bonus substitute period is indicated; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win. Optionally, the gaming apparatus may include a stake selection component which enables a player to select different amounts to wager as a stake on different games. This enables the player to set a higher stake when a bonus substitute period is indicated, which is desirable from the player's point of view because the probability of winning is higher during a bonus substitute period.
A bonus-triggering combination may be any suitable combination of symbols. In preferred arrangements, a bonus-triggering combination consists of one or more trigger symbols. The length of the bonus substitute period and/or the number of substitute symbols available during a bonus substitute period can be determined by one or more of the following:
(a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area (c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area
(d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win. In one arrangement of the invention, the symbols appearing in the symbol display area are arranged in rows and columns, and when substitute symbols are inserted, they fill one or more complete columns.
In one arrangement of the invention, the one or more substitute symbols are shown outside the symbol display area during a bonus substitute period and appear to fly into the symbol display area when a pattern of symbols is displayed. In one arrangement of the invention, the substitute symbols are added as an extra column to the columns displayed in the symbol display area.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of: (a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area;
(b) the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;
(c) the gaming apparatus indicating a bonus substitute period if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules; and (d) when a bonus substitute period is indicated, the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus including:
(a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols;
(b) a symbol selection component, which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;
(c) a win-indicating component, which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;
(d) a symbol-purchasing component, which indicates that one or more substitute symbols may be purchased;
(e) a substitute symbol insertion component, which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a substitute symbol has been purchased; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of:
(a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area;
(b) the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules; (c) the gaming apparatus indicating the possibility to purchase a substitute symbol; and
(d) when a substitute symbol purchasing opportunity is indicated, and the player elects to purchase substitute symbols, the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more purchased substitute symbols into the symbol display area; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will hereinafter be described in greater detail by reference to the attached drawings which show example forms of the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of those drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention.
Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a gaming apparatus. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of various elements of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1 .
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of various control components used to control operation of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1 .
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a display area of gaming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a flow chart showing steps involved in the operation of a first embodiment of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 6 shows the display area of Figure 4 with the Free Substitute
Bonus indication activated.
Figure 7 shows the display area of Figure 6 with available substitute symbols shown during a bonus substitute period.
Figure 8 shows the display area of Figure 6 with substitute symbols applied.
Figure 9 shows the display area of Figure 8 with two winning combinations highlighted.
Figure 10 shows the display area of Figure 7 with the substitute symbols applied as an extra column or "bonus reel". Figure 1 1 is a flow chart showing steps involved in the operation of a second embodiment of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1 .
Detailed Description Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown generally a gaming apparatus 100 including various standard components, such as a controller 200 for controlling the operation of the gaming apparatus 100 and the games run on it, a coin/token/card input 202 for receiving bets, a coin/token/card output 204 for paying out winnings, a display 206 for displaying game screens, and user inputs 208 for allowing user interaction, which may include e.g. buttons 210 and which may e.g. be provided as part of the display 206 in a touch-screen type manner.
The gaming apparatus 100 may be a stand-alone machine. It may also be networked with other gaming apparatuses and/or a control centre via a suitable communications network 212, such as a LAN and/or WAN, in order to play networked (e.g. intranet or Internet) games, such as a linked jackpot.
In use, the gaming apparatus 100 will display an initial gaming screen on the display 206. A player will insert coins, tokens and/or a payment card into the input 202, and will press a button 210 to initiate play. How matters then proceed will depend on the type of game being played. For example, in a slot machine- type game, the gaming apparatus will display virtual reels of symbols, and will spin and stop these reels in various win and lose symbol combinations on a payline in accordance with a stored gaming algorithm and random number generator. The player may interact with the machine via the buttons 210, so as e.g. to spin or hold reels, or to obtain and throw away cards. Whatever game is played, a common element will be win events, e.g. particular symbol or card combinations, that pay out a prize or jackpot.
The controller 200 includes a processor 214, a main memory 216 for storing a series of computer program instructions to cause the processor 212 to carry out a desired sequence of operations, a seconary memory 218 for storing data generated during operation of the gaming apparatus 100, an input/output module 220 to enable command and data signals to be communicated between the controller 200 and the other elements shown in Figure 2, and a communications bus 222 to enable communication between the processor 214, main memory 216, secondary memory 218 and input/output module 220.
As shown in Figure 3, the series of computer program instructions stored in the main memory 216 may includes a number of components, such as a symbol selection component 300, a win indicating component 302, a bonus indicating component 304, a substitute symbol insertion component 306, a stake selection component 308 and a symbol purchasing component 310.
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a display area of gaming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The display area includes a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols - in this case, a matrix of 3 rows by 5 columns, representing 5 reels each displaying 3 symbols.
As seen in Figure 5, when a player initiates a "spin" on the gaming apparatus by pulling a lever, pressing a button, touching a screen, or some other suitable means, the symbol selection component 300 selects symbols at step 500 from amongst a predefined set of symbols and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area 224 at step 502. In operation, each column illustrated in Figure 4 simulates the appearance of a rotating reel with a number of different symbols on the outside of the reel, and the reel eventually comes to a stop at a random position in its rotation, displaying three symbols.
In this particular game, a "win" occurs when four or five adjacent symbols in a row on the symbol display area are identical. When such an event is detected at step 504 an event, the win-indicating component 302, which may include visual and aural signals, indicates at step 506 that a win has occurred. It will be appreciated that there are numerous different possible rules for determining whether a pattern of symbols includes a "winning combination"; for example, wins might occur if a given number of adjacent symbols have matching colours or are in numeric sequence, or if a given number of the same symbol appear regardless of location on the symbol display area.
The bonus-indicating component 304, indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules. In the present example, the three "T" symbols appearing in Figure 4 (highlighted in boxes with a thick border) in this instance represent triggers which trigger a "bonus substitute period" which last for a predetermined number of "spins", such as ten "spins". When a bonus triggering combination is detected at step 508, the bonus- indicating component 304 may indicate a bonus period at step 510 in any suitable manner, which may include visual and aural signals. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the bonus-indicating component is a shaded box labelled "Free Substitute Bonus". In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the bonus- indicating component also shows the substitute symbols which will be used at step 512, thereby enhancing the immediacy of the substitute experience. The symbols shown at the right hand side can be made to "fly in" to their substituted positions, thus making the gaming experience more immediate. The substitute symbol insertion component 306, arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area at step 514when a bonus substitute period is indicated. In the example given in Figures 6 and 8, three substitute symbols (each designated by the letter "S") are inserted to replace the second column in the matrix of Figure 2, creating the matrix pattern of Figure 8.
The insertion of the substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win. In the case illustrated in Figure 8, each of the "S" symbols functions as a wildcard, so that, as indicated by the boxes with thick outlines in Figure 9, this results in two "winning" patterns, namely the top row which includes "A S A A", and the bottom row which includes "K S K K K". As the symbol "S" functions as a wildcard, these patterns are equivalent to "A A A A" and "K K K K K". Four or five identical adjacent symbols in a row on the symbol display area constitute a winning pattern, according to the rules predefined for the game. If a wining combination is detected at step 516, the win indicating component 302 indicates at step 518 that a win has occurred.
An alternative to the use of substitute symbols as replacements of existing symbols, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, is the use of substitute symbols as an extra reel, forming an extra column in the matrix as shown in Figure 10. In this case, the extra column of "S" symbols results in a pattern of "K K K S" appearing in the bottom row, which is equivalent to a winning pattern of four adjacent "K"s.
Although the examples show three substitute symbols inserted in a single row, it will be appreciated that the invention can work with any suitable number of substitute symbols, and the symbols need not fill an entire row or column. The substitute symbols can have any suitable value; they do not have to be "wildcard" symbols.
The stake selection component 308 which enables a player to set a stake for each game. As the chances of winning a game during a bonus substitute period are higher than for a normal game, this permits a player to select a higher stake when a bonus substitute period is indicated.
In the example illustrated in Figure 4, a symbol display showing three trigger symbols ("T"s) constitutes a bonus-triggering pattern. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable pattern may be defined as a bonus-triggering pattern. For example, there may be no special bonus-triggering symbols; instead particular combinations of other symbols (not being combinations which constitute "wins") may constitute a bonus-triggering pattern. Further, a bonus period may be extended if a further bonus-triggering pattern occurs during the bonus period.
The length of the bonus substitute period may be a period of time, but more preferably it is a number of "spins", and it can be determined by one or more of the following:
(a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area (b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area
(d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win.
As seen in Figure 5, the substitute symbol insertion component 306 may be adapted to check at step 520 whether the bonus substitute period has expired before allowing the insertion of substitute symbols.
Just as the length of the bonus substitute period may be variable, so the number of substitute symbols available for use in the substitute period may be variable. The number of substitute symbols available during a bonus substitute period may be determined by one or more of the following:
(a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area (c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area
(d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win.
Figure 1 1 shows a series of steps carried out by the gaming apparatus 100 in an alternative embodiment to that shown on Figure 5. In Figure 1 1 , steps 1 1 10 to 1 106 are identical to steps 500 to 506 in Figure 5.
The symbol-purchasing component 310 may be provided, either in addition to the bonus-indicating component 304 or as a replacement thereof. In any event, the symbol-purchasing component 310 enables a player to purchase one or more substitute symbolsat step 1 108. Having purchased one or more substitute symbols (and optionally having those symbols displayed at step 1 1 10), the player may then insert the substitute symbols into the symbol display at step 1 1 12. If a winning combination is detected at step 1 1 14, the win indicating component 302 indicates that a win has occurred at step 1 1 16. Clearly, there will be a cost associated with the purchase of symbols if a player elects this particular option. The cost of purchasing one or more symbols will most likely be decided by the designers and manufacturers of the gaming apparatus and the cost could be as little as one cent or any amount greater and may even exceed the total stake for the particular game. The step of inserting substitute symbols into the symbol display may be done automatically by the gaming apparatus 100 at random, in a random column, or in a manner designed to optimise the player's chances of winning the game. In the example illustrated in Figure 8, the row of substitute symbols has been inserted in the position which best optimises the wins. As an alternative, the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area may be done manually by the player, and it may be up to the player to choose the optimum place for insertion. Depending on the rules selected for playing the game, the substitute symbols may be inserted as a column or as separate entries. It will be appreciated that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Claims

Claims:
1 . Gaming apparatus including:
(a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols; (b) a symbol selection component, which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;
(c) a win-indicating component, which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;
(d) a bonus-indicating component, which indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules;
(e) a substitute symbol insertion component, which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a bonus substitute period is indicated; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
2. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 further including a stake selection component thus providing the option for a player to set a higher stake when a bonus substitute period is indicated.
3. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a bonus-triggering combination consists of one or more trigger symbols, and the length of the bonus substitute period is determined by one or more of the following:
(a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area
(d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win.
4. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a bonus-triggering combination consists of one or more trigger symbols, and the number of substitute symbols available during a bonus substitute period is determined by one or more of the following: (a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area
(c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area
(d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win.
5. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the symbols appearing in the symbol display area are arranged in rows and columns, and when substitute symbols are inserted, they fill one or more symbol locations.
6. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more substitute symbols are shown outside the symbol display area during a bonus substitute period and appear to fly into the symbol display area when a pattern of symbols is displayed.
7. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substitute symbols are added as an extra column to the columns displayed in the symbol display area.
8. A method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of:
(a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area;
(b) the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules; (c) the gaming apparatus indicating a bonus substitute period if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules; and
(d) when a bonus substitute period is indicated, the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
9. Gaming apparatus including: (a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols;
(b) a symbol selection component, which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;
(c) a win-indicating component, which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;
(d) a symbol-purchasing component, which indicates that one or more substitute symbols may be purchased;
(e) a substitute symbol insertion component, which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a substitute symbol has been purchased; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
10. A method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of:
(a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area; (b) the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules; (c) the gaming apparatus indicating the possibility to purchase a substitute symbol; and
(d) when a substitute symbol purchasing opportunity is indicated, and the player elects to purchase substitute symbols, the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more purchased substitute symbols into the symbol display area; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.
EP07710555A 2006-03-10 2007-03-09 Gaming apparatus with bonus award Withdrawn EP1996302A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2006901264A AU2006901264A0 (en) 2006-03-10 Gaming apparatus with bonus award
PCT/AU2007/000297 WO2007104090A1 (en) 2006-03-10 2007-03-09 Gaming apparatus with bonus award

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1996302A1 true EP1996302A1 (en) 2008-12-03
EP1996302A4 EP1996302A4 (en) 2010-09-01

Family

ID=38508960

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07710555A Withdrawn EP1996302A4 (en) 2006-03-10 2007-03-09 Gaming apparatus with bonus award

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20090048013A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1996302A4 (en)
AU (1) AU2007225004A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007104090A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2008202840A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2009-01-15 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited A gaming system and method of gaming
US8585483B2 (en) * 2009-05-20 2013-11-19 Bradley Berman Gaming method and apparatus for facilitating a game involving bonus functionality
US8641503B2 (en) * 2009-05-20 2014-02-04 Bradley Berman Gaming method and apparatus for facilitating a game involving specialty functionality
US20140080572A1 (en) * 2012-09-20 2014-03-20 Brian Watkins Gaming system, method, and program product providing full window pays in a reel-type wagering game
US9811975B2 (en) 2013-09-20 2017-11-07 Sg Gaming Anz Pty Ltd Methods and apparatuses for electronic gaming including stacks and blocks of symbols

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001028647A1 (en) * 1999-10-18 2001-04-26 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd A gaming machine with substitute symbols
US6231445B1 (en) * 1998-06-26 2001-05-15 Acres Gaming Inc. Method for awarding variable bonus awards to gaming machines over a network
US20010055990A1 (en) * 1994-10-12 2001-12-27 Acres Gaming Incorporated Method and apparatus for controlling the cost of playing an electronic gaming device
EP1205894A2 (en) * 2000-11-14 2002-05-15 WMS Gaming Inc Gaming machine with interacting symbols on symbol array.
US20030064779A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 Konami Gaming, Inc. Video slot gaming machine
US20030162585A1 (en) * 2002-02-28 2003-08-28 Bigelow Robert F. Gaming device having free game bonus with a changing multiplier
US20030203752A1 (en) * 2002-04-30 2003-10-30 Kaminkow Joseph E. Gaming device having resultant wild symbols
US20030203753A1 (en) * 2002-04-30 2003-10-30 Muir David H. Gaming device having extender symbols
US20040048652A1 (en) * 2002-09-11 2004-03-11 Ching Erick T. Gaming device having a probability enhancing trigger symbol
EP1560181A1 (en) * 2004-01-30 2005-08-03 Aruze Corp. Gaming machine
WO2005093676A1 (en) * 2004-03-19 2005-10-06 Igt Awarding a bonus based on a maximum bonus cycle time

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AUPP206498A0 (en) * 1998-02-27 1998-03-26 Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd Slot machine game-with randomly designated special symbols
US6939228B2 (en) * 2001-09-28 2005-09-06 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine having dynamic bonus feature
US6910962B2 (en) * 2001-11-06 2005-06-28 Daniel Marks Electronic game and method for playing a game based upon removal and replacing symbols in the game matrix
US6855054B2 (en) * 2001-11-09 2005-02-15 Igt Gaming methods and apparatus using interchangeable symbols
US7604538B2 (en) * 2003-11-13 2009-10-20 Wms Gaming Inc. Slot machine with a regenerating bonus array

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20010055990A1 (en) * 1994-10-12 2001-12-27 Acres Gaming Incorporated Method and apparatus for controlling the cost of playing an electronic gaming device
US6231445B1 (en) * 1998-06-26 2001-05-15 Acres Gaming Inc. Method for awarding variable bonus awards to gaming machines over a network
WO2001028647A1 (en) * 1999-10-18 2001-04-26 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd A gaming machine with substitute symbols
EP1205894A2 (en) * 2000-11-14 2002-05-15 WMS Gaming Inc Gaming machine with interacting symbols on symbol array.
US20030064779A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 Konami Gaming, Inc. Video slot gaming machine
US20030162585A1 (en) * 2002-02-28 2003-08-28 Bigelow Robert F. Gaming device having free game bonus with a changing multiplier
US20030203752A1 (en) * 2002-04-30 2003-10-30 Kaminkow Joseph E. Gaming device having resultant wild symbols
US20030203753A1 (en) * 2002-04-30 2003-10-30 Muir David H. Gaming device having extender symbols
US20040048652A1 (en) * 2002-09-11 2004-03-11 Ching Erick T. Gaming device having a probability enhancing trigger symbol
EP1560181A1 (en) * 2004-01-30 2005-08-03 Aruze Corp. Gaming machine
WO2005093676A1 (en) * 2004-03-19 2005-10-06 Igt Awarding a bonus based on a maximum bonus cycle time

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2007104090A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2007225004A1 (en) 2007-09-20
US20090048013A1 (en) 2009-02-19
WO2007104090A1 (en) 2007-09-20
EP1996302A4 (en) 2010-09-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10332352B2 (en) Gaming machine with a fixed wild symbol
US10878653B2 (en) Electronic gaming system and method for enhanced player visual perception of increased potential return
US8066564B2 (en) Gaming system and method having wager allocation
US6648758B2 (en) Gaming machine with player choice bonus games
US7077745B2 (en) Slot machine with win completion feature
US10431041B2 (en) Multi-line gaming machine with single wager option
AU2007202147B9 (en) Gaming machine with suspense feature
AU2009201257A1 (en) Multiple game gaming machine
AU2011200159A1 (en) Game having multiple hands
US10013844B2 (en) Gaming system and a method of gaming
US20090048013A1 (en) Gaming apparatus with bonus award
AU2010202101A1 (en) A gaming machine with enhanced feature indicator
AU2012200260B2 (en) Gaming machine with suspense feature
AU2012200138B2 (en) Multi-line gaming machine with single wager option

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20081009

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20100730

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20101001