Gaming terminal having an element moveable along a nonlinear path for indicating a game outcome

A gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes an input device for receiving a wager input from a player of the gaming terminal. A display is provided for displaying a game outcome randomly selected from a plurality of game outcomes in a basic game including a start bonus game outcome in response to receiving the wager input. The basic game includes a nonlinear path extending in three dimensions and at least one movable element for representing a bonus game outcome. The moveable element moves along the nonlinear path in response to the start bonus game outcome being selected in the basic game.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming machines and, more particularly, to a gaming terminal having an element moveable along a nonlinear path for representing a game outcome.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One method of attracting players to gaming machines is by providing a visual indicator of a potential payout or a visual indicator of a winning outcome. For example, slot machines have reels with a plurality of symbols displayed thereon that rotate to align the symbols relative to a payline according to one of a plurality of different outcomes. As the spinning reels slowly come to rest, the player begins to anticipate the outcome, which increases the entertainment provided to the player of the gaming machine.

Other methods of attracting players to gaming machines is by providing a bonus game in addition to a basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game alone and may be accompanied with more attractive or unusual features including visual features, audible features, or both. An example of a gaming machine having a unique visual payout indicator is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/341,110, entitled “Gaming Machine Having a Pendulum-Based Payout Indicator,” which was filed on Jan. 13, 2003 and is assigned to the assignee of the present application. Another example of a gaming machine having a unique visual payout indicator is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/442,389, entitled “Gaming Machine Having a Plurality of Moveable Elements for Indicating a Game Outcome,” which was filed on May 20, 2003 and is assigned to the assignee of the present application. Because the visual payout indicator and the bonus game concepts have tremendous advantages in terms of player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines and gaming terminals with new types of bonus games, visual indicators, or both, to satisfy the demands of players and operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game comprises an input device for receiving a wager input from a player of the gaming terminal, a display for displaying a game outcome randomly selected from a plurality of game outcomes in a basic game including a start bonus game outcome in response to receiving the wager input, a nonlinear path extending in three dimensions, a at least one movable element for representing a bonus game outcome. The at least one moveable element moves along the nonlinear path in response to the start bonus game outcome being selected in the basic game.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the detailed description that follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Generally, the present invention is directed to gaming machines having one or more elements moveable along a nonlinear path for representing a game outcome. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an element moveable along a nonlinear path comprises one or more rollercoaster cars that move along a nonlinear rollercoaster track as is described in detail below. Alternatively, the element moveable along a nonlinear path may comprise one or more vehicles that move along a winding road.

Turning to the drawings and referring initially toFIG. 1, there is depicted a gaming machine10having an element moveable along a nonlinear path for representing a game outcome. The illustrated gaming machine10is a reel-slot-type gaming machine; however, the present invention is applicable to other types of gaming machines such as, for example, video poker machines. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 1, the element moveable along a nonlinear path is a rollercoaster12comprising a plurality of rollercoaster cars14(FIG. 4) and a nonlinear rollercoaster track16upon which the plurality of cars14move. The rollercoaster cars14are movably engaged to the rollercoaster the track16, or the engagement may be simulated. The rollercoaster12, the cars14, and track16may be actual mechanical components, electromechanical components, simulated on a video display, or a combination thereof in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

The track16is nonlinear and comprises a plurality of twists, turns, loops, rises, and drops. In the illustrated embodiment, the track16extends in three dimensions, and forms a continuous loop. In other embodiments, the track16may be nonlinear, but only extends in two dimensions. Alternatively, the track16can be of a variety of different shapes and may include twists, turns, loops, rises, drops, or a combination thereof. Alternatively still, the track16may have one end at a location different than another end such that the track16does not form a continuous loop.

The gaming machine10includes a video display20and a top box unit22for playing both a “basic” game and a secondary or “bonus” game, respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted gaming machine10comprises an upright machine in which the video display20is generally vertical. It will be appreciated, however, that any of several other models of gaming machines are within the scope of the present invention such as, for example, a slant-top version in which the video display20is generally vertically angled towards a player of the gaming machine. The video display20may comprise a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, or generally any other type of video display known in the art. The video display20has five spinning reels31-35displayed thereon. Alternatively, mechanical reels rather than displayed-simulated reels may be used as is known in the art. The top box unit22of the gaming machine10also includes a marquee36, having marquee lights37, that is indicative of a theme of the gaming machine10for attracting players.

Referring also toFIG. 2, a control system for operating the gaming machine10is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention. A coin/credit detector40signals a central processing unit (CPU)42when a player has inserted a number of coins or has played a number of credits. The CPU42operates to execute a basic game program causing the video display20to display the basic game which includes the simulated spinning reels31-35with symbols displayed thereon.

Game play is initiated by a player inserting a number of coins into the “slot,” inserting one or more currency bills into a bill accepting mechanism, or playing a number of credits, causing the CPU42to activate one or more paylines on the display20. The number of activated paylines correspond to the number of credits played according to one embodiment. Payline indicators44are displayed on both sides of the reels31-35. For example, payline indicators44aand44bindicate an activated horizontal center payline extending between payline indicators44aand44binFIG. 3. The basic game commences in response to the player activating a switch46(e.g., by pulling a lever or by pressing a button). Once the player activates the switch46, the CPU42sets the reels31-35in motion on the video display20, randomly selects a game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes stored in the memory48, and then stops the reels31-35relative to an activated payline to display the symbols on the reels31-35according to the randomly selected game outcome.

A system memory48stores control software, operational instructions, and data associated with the gaming machine10. A payoff mechanism50is operable in response to instructions from the CPU42to award a payoff of coins or credits to the player in response to certain winning outcomes, which may occur in the basic game or a bonus game, in accordance with a pay table stored in the system memory48. A separate input/output (I/O) controller52is coupled to the CPU42and operates the various features of the top box unit22including top box lights54(which may include the marquee lights37), a payoff-amount indicator56, and the rollercoaster12. Additional top-box-unit components such as a Ferris wheel60, audio components, and other lighting elements may also be coupled to and controlled by the I/O controller52. The top box lights54, the payoff-amount indicator56, the rollercoaster12, the Ferris wheel60, or a combination thereof may comprise physical, mechanical and/or electromechanical components, or may be simulated on a video display of the top box unit22in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

While the gaming machine10has been described as having the CPU42as being an integral component (e.g., located within the cabinet of the gaming machine10), the CPU or game controller for the gaming machine10may be separate from (e.g., located outside) the gaming machine10in alternative embodiments of the present invention. In some applications, one or more gaming machines10or gaming terminals do not have an integral CPU and may be controlled by a remote game controller. The remote game controller may be located at the particular casino where the gaming machines are located or may be located offsite.

Referring also toFIG. 3, an enlarged portion of the video display20is shown. According to the depicted embodiments, the video display20includes five reels31-35having symbols displayed thereon and one activated payline extending between payline indicators44aand44b. The depicted symbols on the reels31-35include “COTTON CANDY” symbols70, “RIDE TICKET” symbols72, “CLOWN” symbols74, “CAROUSEL” symbols76, “TEDDY BEAR” symbols78, “FERRIS WHEEL” symbols80, and “CONEY ISLAND” symbols82. As is apparent from the foregoing symbols70-82and from the marquee36(FIG. 1), the gaming machine10has an amusement park theme-specifically, the Coney Island amusement park. In other embodiments of the present invention, the gaming machine10may portray other themes with corresponding like-themed reel symbols. Further, standard gaming symbols such as “1-BAR” symbols, “2-BAR” symbols, “3-BAR” symbols, “CHERRY” symbols, “SEVEN” symbols, and “BELL” symbols may be depicted on the reels31-35in other embodiments.

A winning combination occurs when the symbols appearing on the reels31-35correspond to one of the winning symbol combinations listed in a pay table stored in the memory48of the gaming machine10. Such winning combinations are displayed relative to one or more paylines. The activated paylines extend between activated pairs of payline indicators44such as, for example, the payline that extends between payline indicators44aand44b. Winning combinations listed in the pay table can include three like-symbols appearing on a payline yielding a first payout, and four like-symbols appearing on a payline yield a second, larger payout. For example, three COTTON CANDY symbols70appearing on a payline yields five credits, and four TEDDY BEAR symbols78appearing on a payline yields fifteen credits. The symbol types may be weighted according to the frequency at which they appear on the reels31-35. For example, three CAROUSEL symbols76on a payline yields twenty credits whereas three FERRIS WHEEL symbols80on a payline yields thirty credits. Other symbol types such as, for example, the CONEY ISLAND symbols82may represent wild symbols that are combined with two other symbols to complete a winning combination of symbols as reflected in the pay table.

Other schemes are implemented in various embodiments such as varying the winning amount for a particular symbol combination according to the particular payline with which the symbol combination is aligned. For example, three CAROUSEL symbols76aligned with the first payline44a-44bmay yield twenty credits, while three CAROUSEL symbols76aligned with a second or third payline may yield one hundred credits. Many other symbol combinations relative to the plurality of paylines and corresponding payouts are listed in the pay table stored in the memory48of the gaming machine10.

Other outcomes cause the CPU42to initiate a bonus game and the CPU42switches from operating in a basic mode to operating in a bonus mode. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the CPU42initiates a bonus game when three or more RIDE TICKET symbols72are displayed on the video display20, or are displayed on the video display20along a payline. Alternatively, a bonus game is triggered when one or more bonus-game-triggering symbols are displayed on specific feels31-35and are aligned with a payline—e.g., RIDE TICKET symbols72appearing on the first, second, and third reels31-33are aligned with the activated payline44a-44b. Alternatively, the CPU42only initiates the bonus game when a player has wagered a predetermined number of credits (e.g., the maximum number of credits), and one or more bonus-game-triggering symbols are aligned on specific reels31-35, aligned along specific paylines, or both. The latter embodiment encourages players to wager the maximum number of credits. One or more of many different combinations of symbols70-82, reels31-35, paylines, number of credits wagered, or combinations thereof may be used to trigger the bonus round. The bonus game generally supplements the payoff in the pay table corresponding to the symbol combination on the reels.

Turning now toFIG. 4, the CPU42activates the top box unit22of the gaming machine10upon initiation of the bonus game. Generally, in the bonus round, the cars14move along the track16of the rollercoaster12, and the amount paid in the bonus round (e.g., the “bonus payoff”) is related to the movement of the cars14. In the bonus round, the bonus payoff is randomly determined by the CPU42, or is randomly selected by the CPU42from a plurality of possible bonus game outcomes listed in a bonus-game-outcome pay table, which is stored in the memory48. Upon selection of the bonus game outcome, the CPU42directs the I/O controller52to operate the rollercoaster12in accordance with the CPU's42selection. To attract the player's attention to the top box unit22, the display20of the gaming machine10that displays the basic game may be dimmed. As previously discussed, the top box unit22is amusement park themed according to the depicted embodiment and includes the Coney Island marquee36. The amusement park themed components of the top box unit22also include the rollercoaster12, the Ferris wheel60, a clown-typefigure 90which includes a bonus amount indicator56that is displayed on the clown's 90 teeth, and the background art of the top box unit22. The amusement park themed components of the top box unit22may comprise physical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, may be simulated on a video display of the top box unit22, or may be comprised of a combination thereof. For example, the rollercoaster12comprises a physical track16along which physical cars14ride according to one embodiment. Movement is provided to the cars14by a cable (not shown) that engages one or more of the cars14, which are mechanically coupled together. The cable comprises a continuous loop that runs beneath the track16similar to a conventional rollercoaster and is driven by one or more driven rollers (not shown) coupled to one or more motors (not shown) controlled by the I/O controller52.

As indicated above, the bonus game payout (i.e., the number of credits awarded in the bonus round) is related to the movement of the rollercoaster12. For example, each complete cycle of the cars14around the track16of the rollercoaster12may represent a specific payout amount—one cycle of the cars14around the track16may represent a payout of 250 credits, two cycles of the cars14represents 500 credits, and three cycles represents 750 credits, etc. Alternatively, the payout progression may be nonlinear, or exponential, in nature such that the payout dramatically compounds (e.g., doubles, triples, etc.) with each cycle of the cars14around the track16. The particular movement of the rollercoaster12corresponding to each possible bonus game outcome (e.g., two cycles for a payout of 500 credits) is stored in memory. Upon random selection of a bonus game outcome, the CPU42sends information from the memory48to the I/O controller52for operating the rollercoaster12in a manner indicative of the selected bonus game outcome.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bonus game payout (i.e., the number of credits awarded in the bonus round) is related to length of time that the rollercoaster12is moving along the track16. The cars14of the rollercoaster12are set in motion in response to a bonus-game-triggering outcome in the basic game. The passage of a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 1, 3, 5, or 10 seconds) during which the cars14are moving may represent the award of a specific amount of credits. For example, a payoff of 25 credits may be awarded for every 5 seconds during which the cars14move along the track16.

The top box unit22includes the clown90, which includes a plurality of teeth. The bonus payoff amount indicator56is displayed on the clown's 90 teeth. Five upper teeth are shown that are capable of displaying a number five digits in length. More clown teeth are included for displaying a number of greater length, if necessary. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the running of the indicator56is synchronized with the movement of the rollercoaster12. For example, as discussed above, each cycle of the rollercoaster12may represent a payout of a specific number of credits such as 250 credits. During one cycle of the rollercoaster12, the indicator56increases from 0 to 250 credits. The indicator56moves when the rollercoaster cars14move, which allows the game player to watch the bonus payout award increase, adding to the excitement of the game for the player.

The CPU42directs the I/O controller52to operate the top box unit22, including the rollercoaster12and the marquee lights37, as well as to output audible signals and other lighting consistent with the amusement park theme. For example, the gaming machine10may output sounds simulating carnival music. In addition to the marquee lights37, other lighting for the top box unit22may include lighting (e.g., back lighting) for the rollercoaster12, the Ferris wheel60, the clown90, and for the art work displayed on the top box unit22. When the gaming machine10is not in use (i.e., not being played by a player), the CPU42causes the gaming machine10to enter an attract mode. In the attract mode, the CPU42directs the I/O controller52to operate the top box unit22in a predetermined fashion by flashing the lights and outputting sounds designed to attract players to the gaming machine10.

The operation of the gaming machine10is described according to one embodiment of the present invention. Three RIDE TICKET symbols72aligned with an activated payline on the video display20in the basic game triggers the bonus round as is shown inFIG. 3. Once the bonus round is triggered, the CPU42randomly selects a bonus game outcome from a plurality of possible bonus game outcomes. The CPU42then directs the I/O controller52to begin moving the cars14along the track16of the rollercoaster12. The movement of the cars14along the track16is related to the selected bonus game outcome. Thus, the I/O controller52moves the cars14in accordance with the selected game outcome. For example, if the selected bonus game outcome is an award of 250 credits and each cycle of the cars14around the track16represents 125 credits, the I/O controller52moves the cars14around the track16twice. While the I/O controller52is moving the cars14, the I/O controller52increments the bonus payoff amount indicator56. The I/O controller52coordinates the incrementing of the indicator56and the movement of the cars14such that the indicator56displays an amount corresponding to the selected bonus payoff amount when the movement of the cars14is stopped. Alternatively or additionally, the various parameters for controlling the indicator56and the rollercoaster12(e.g., timing, number of cycles, rates, etc.) for each of the possible bonus game outcomes listed in the above-described bonus-game-outcome pay table are listed in a table stored in a memory that is accessed by the I/O controller52for controlling the indicator56and the rollercoaster12.

After the I/O controller52stops the cars14, and the indicator56displays the bonus game award, the CPU42operates the payoff mechanism50to award a payoff of coins or credits to the player in response to the bonus game outcome. For example, if the indicator displays “250,” as shown inFIG. 4, a payoff of two-hundred fifty credits is awarded to the player.

Additionally, movement of the Ferris wheel60is indicative of a bonus game payout in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In a bonus game, rotation of the Ferris wheel60may indicate an increased bonus award beyond that displayed on the amount indicator56. Movement of the Ferris wheel60may add a fixed number of credits to the bonus payoff. Or, rotation of the Ferris wheel60may represent a multiplier (e.g., two-, three-, or four-times) for increasing the bonus payoff such that the bonus game payout is doubled or tripled for two or three revolutions, respectively, of the Ferris wheel60.

Alternatively or additionally, the rollercoaster12is used to indicate a multiplier. The cars14of the rollercoaster12may bear different colors or symbols (e.g., 2×, 3×, 4×, etc.), including illuminated symbols, to indicate whether a multiplier has been awarded in the basic game or in the bonus game. Further, the number of cycles of the cars14around the nonlinear track16of the rollercoaster12may represent an award of a multiplier.