Abstract:
The invention provides a highly attractive and entertaining device for displaying bonus prize objects. In addition, it provides players with the ability to participate in the selection of a bonus prize. The invention provides a gaming device having a gaming apparatus and a bonus display. The bonus display indicates at least one of a plurality of bonuses using a mechanical bonus indicator. Each position of the indicator includes at least two bonus prizes, which may be selected by the player.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/241,385, filed Oct. 17, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to gaming devices and, more particularly, to a gaming device and method having a moving bonus indicator. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Gaming Devices 
     Gaming devices are well known in the art and a large variety of gaming devices have been developed. In general, gaming devices allow users or players to play a game. In many casino-type gaming devices, the outcome of the game depends, at least in part, on a randomly generated event. For example, a gaming device may use a random number generator to generate a random or pseudo-random number. The random number may then be compared to a predefined table to determine the outcome of the event. If the random number falls within a certain range of numbers on the table, the player may win a predefined prize. The table may also contain display information that allows the gaming device to generate a display that corresponds to the outcome of the game. The gaming device may present the outcome of the game on a large variety of display devices, such as mechanical spinning reels or video screens. 
     Bonus Prizes 
     Some gaming devices award bonus prizes in addition to prizes that are awarded in the primary game. A bonus prize can be defined as an additional prize that is awarded to the player when a predefined event occurs. An example of a bonus game can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,932 issued to Adams, which is hereby incorporated by reference. One of the gaming devices described in this document comprises three spinning reels and a spinning wheel bonus display. When predetermined indicia are displayed on the spinning reels of the primary game, the wheel can be activated to indicate a bonus prize. The bonus prize is awarded in addition to any prizes awarded in the primary game. 
     Generally, bonus prizes are given in such games in order to increase the excitement and enjoyment experienced by players, which attracts more players to the game and encourages players to play longer. When this occurs, the gaming devices tend to be more commercially successful relative to other gaming devices. A shortcoming of present bonus games is that they do not sufficiently allow players to participate in awarding of bonus prizes. 
     Display Devices 
     Highly visible display devices are utilized on gaming devices in order to attract players. Once players are attracted to the gaming device, they tend to play longer because the display device enhances the stimulation and excitement experienced by players. It is, therefore, desirable for gaming devices to incorporate highly visible display devices. 
     Display devices tend to be more successful if they utilize moveable physical objects rather than simulations. Although video devices and electronic signs can be used for display devices, players are more attracted to display devices that utilize physical objects. Physical objects can be even more effective display devices if the player is allowed to participate in the operation of the object. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a gaming device that provides bonus prizes with a physically movable and attractive bonus display, and allows selection of bonus prizes. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     1. Advantages of the Invention 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a highly attractive and entertaining device for displaying bonus prizes. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows players to participate in the selection of a bonus prize. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract. 
     2. Brief Description of the Invention 
     The present invention provides a gaming device having a gaming apparatus and a bonus display. The gaming device includes a gaming outcome display. The bonus display indicates at least one of a plurality of bonuses using a mechanical bonus indicator. The bonus indicator is linearly movable by a drive mechanism that positions the indicator at one of a plurality of bonus indicating positions. A selector for allowing a user to select between bonus prizes may also be provided. 
     Also provided is a method of conducting a wagering game of chance. The method includes the step of positioning a mechanical bonus indicator at one of a plurality of physical positions to indicate a bonus set. Each bonus set includes at least two bonus prizes. The method also includes the step of allowing the player to select one of the bonus prizes. 
     The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is substantially a front view of the gaming device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is substantially a partial cross-sectional view of the gaming device of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a gaming device, generally indicated by reference number  10 . In one preferred embodiment, gaming device  10  comprises a bonus display  12  and a game apparatus  20 . 
     Game Apparatus 
     With continuing reference to FIG. 1, game apparatus  20  may be any of a large number of devices that are adapted to allow players to play a game. For example, game apparatus  20  may include a gaming outcome display  21  that utilizes spinning reels  22 ,  24 ,  26  or a video display (not shown) to display outcomes of the game. A wager acceptor, such as a coin slot  28  or card reader  30 , may also be provided for accepting wagers. In addition, a payout mechanism, such as a coin dispenser  32 , may be provided for awarding prizes. A handle  34  and button  36  are provided for activating game apparatus  20  to begin a game. In at least one preferred embodiment, game apparatus  20  may be an S Plus model gaming device manufactured by International Game Technology in Reno, Nev. 
     Referring also to FIG. 2, game apparatus  20  is preferably controlled by an electronic controller  40  that utilizes a random number generator  42 . Random number generator  42  produces a random or pseudo random number for each game. The outcome of the game may be determined by comparing the random number to a table of outcomes stored in a memory and accessed by controller  40 . A number of different tables of outcomes may be used and different tables may be used for different games. The tables can be designed so that different prizes have different probabilities of being awarded. Such design techniques are well known in gaming. Examples of such designs are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,419, issued to Telnaes, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,465, issued to Durham, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Controller  40  causes gaming outcome display  21  (FIG.  1 ), e.g., spinning reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 , to show the outcome of the game that corresponds to the outcome of random number generator  42 . It is recognized that game apparatus  20  may operate in many other ways and still achieve the objects of the present invention. 
     Game apparatus  20  may also be capable, via controller  40  or other bonus control mechanism (not shown), of producing a bonus-activating event. This event may be many different types of events. For example, a bonus-activating event may comprise a game outcome such as displaying a particular symbol, e.g., a “bonus” symbol, or combination of symbols, such as three “7” symbols on reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 . If the game being played is poker based, the bonus-activating event may be occurrence of a certain hand, such as a royal flush. Furthermore, a bonus-activating event may occur when a player accumulates a number of symbols or game outcomes over a number of separate game plays. For example, a bonus-activating event may occur when the player receives three “bonus” symbols during a period of time. The bonus-activating event may be based on an external event. For example, a bonus-activating event may occur when a group of players obtain a certain result. 
     Bonus Display 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, bonus display  12  is adapted to select a bonus prize and display the prize to a player. When bonus display  12  is informed that a bonus-activating event has occurred, bonus display  12  causes indicator  44  to move linearly (in this case vertically) to a selected height. A plurality of stop positions (levels) is provided, and each position indicates one of a plurality of bonus sets. Each bonus set includes at least two bonus prizes, which are displayed adjacent indicator  44 . In the example shown, there are five different vertical stop positions, each indicating two bonus prizes, and indicator  44  has stopped at a height that has bonus prize displays  46  and  48 . Also in this example, indicator  44  is a space ship with an alien pilot and prize displays  46  and  48  appear to be planets or stars. However, many other shapes and objects may be used for indicator  44  or prize displays  46 ,  48 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, indicator  44  is made to move up and down by a drive mechanism  50 . The drive mechanism may be a large variety of different devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, drive mechanism  50  may be a vertically positioned worm gear  52  that is caused to rotate by a motor  54 . Indicator  44  may be attached to worm gear  52  by a bracket  56  that is attached to a nut  58  threaded on worm gear  52 . A slot  60  (best shown in FIG. 1) may be provided in the front face of bonus display  12 , which allows bracket  56  to pass through the face. Sensors  62  may be provided to allow controller  40 , or other bonus control mechanism (not shown), to detect the position of indicator  44 . While indicator  44  was shown to move vertically, it may also be moved horizontally, or diagonally or in a non-linear fashion such as in rotating manner. 
     Once indicator  44  has stopped, the player is then given the opportunity to select one of the prizes indicated. In the exemplary display shown, the user may select either the left bonus prize displayed  46  or the right bonus prize displayed  48 . The player may indicate his or her choice by making a selection via a selector that may take a variety of forms. In one preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, a selector  64  includes buttons  66  and  68  that allow the player to select the corresponding prize display. For example, the player would press the left button  66  to select the left bonus prize  46 . Alternatively, a touch screen (not shown) may be provided in place of or in addition to buttons  66  and  68 . The selector may be any other now known or later developed mechanism for selecting between two items. 
     Once the player has selected the bonus prize, bonus display  12  would display the bonus prize won by the player. For instance, the selected bonus prize  46 ,  48  may blink or have some other indication of selection. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the bonus prizes are randomly generated. The controller generates a random number for each bonus prize to be awarded, and then compares the random number to a pay table similar to that described for game apparatus  20  or as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,874, issued to Adams, which is hereby incorporated by reference. A simple pay table may appear as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Random 
                 Amount 
               
               
                   
                 Number 
                 Paid 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0.00 to 0.50 
                   $1.00 
               
               
                   
                 0.51 to 0.75 
                   $5.00 
               
               
                   
                 0.76 to 0.95 
                 ×2 
               
               
                   
                 0.96 to 1.00 
                 $1,000.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     For example, if random number generator  42  produced 0.65, $5.00 would be awarded to the player. If the random number generator produced 0.80, the player would receive a multiplier of 2. The multiplier multiplies some amount produced by game apparatus  20 . Gaming apparatus  20 , for instance, may award $20 and the multiplier would multiply this by two, awarding the player $40. 
     The bonus selection process may be repeated to accumulate several bonus prize selections that are added to form the award to the game player. The bonus selection process can be repeated a pre-determined number of times. For example, the bonus game could be repeated three times to accumulate an award. 
     The present invention is not limited to the example pay table shown. Furthermore, different kinds of bonus prizes, besides monetary prizes, may be awarded. For example, the bonus prizes may be goods, services, or additional games. 
     Once controller  40  (FIG. 2) determines the bonus prizes to be awarded, controller  40  causes the appropriate bonus prize displays  46 ,  48  to display the prizes for selection by the user. Bonus prize displays  46 ,  48  may be a large number of devices that are well known in the art. For example, the displays may be an LED meter. 
     Other effects may also be presented, such as pre-recorded sound from speakers. If the actual bonus prize is money, the amount of the bonus prize may be added to the player&#39;s credit meter (not shown) or the bonus prize may be dispensed from dispenser  70  or coin dispenser  32 . 
     Many other methods may be used to operate the present invention. For example, the player may be allowed to select the vertical height of indicator  44 . Additional buttons or a touch screen may enable this function. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of conducting a wagering game of chance comprising the steps of: providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager; displaying a gaming outcome at a gaming outcome display; determining an award of a bonus set including at least two bonus prizes; positioning a mechanical bonus indicator at one of a plurality of physical positions to indicate the bonus set; and allowing the player to select one of the bonus prizes. The step of positioning the mechanical bonus indicator may include linearly moving the bonus indicator to one of a plurality of physical positions. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.