Abstract:
A method and device for gaming, in which a primary game is played toward a winning outcome, and includes a bonus game that may be triggered by a particular outcome or outcomes. The bonus game is made up of a series of successive games centered around a common theme or directed toward a common outcome.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and methodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a gaming device having a primary game having not only a winning outcome, but also a triggering outcome for a secondary game. Most specifically, the secondary game consists of a series of gaming propositions, all directed toward a common theme or outcome. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of playing any game is to win the game. While a player may initially find enjoyment in trying to win a particular game, the proposition of repeatedly playing the same game eventually becomes tiresome. Accordingly, several games have been developed to offer a “bonus” game, which offers a player the prospect of engaging in a different gaming proposition. Most bonus games consist of only one round of bonus play. These games are often enjoyable, but disappointingly short in duration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is distinguishable over the prior art in a multiplicity of ways. For example, the instant invention retains the player&#39;s interest by providing the player with a device and method for enjoying several different gaming propositions in a single gaming session. 
     Further, the instant invention allows a player to participate a series of gaming propositions, all directed toward a common theme or outcome. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel device and method for gaming in which a player is offered a series of secondary gaming propositions for more chances at success. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method for gaming in which a player has the opportunity to participate in a series of related gaming propositions, all directed toward a common theme or outcome. 
     Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination a display, wagering means, and a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to initiate play of a primary game on said display upon activation of said wagering means, said display having at least one outcome which triggers a first bonus, wherein said first bonus has at least one outcome which triggers a second bonus. 
     Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for gaming, the steps including displaying a primary game, allowing a wager, generating an outcome for said primary game as a function of said wager having been made, enabling a first bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, and enabling a second bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said first bonus. 
     These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the methodology according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith. 
     FIG. 3 is a depiction of a primary game screen, embodied in an RXC matrix. 
     FIG. 4 is a depiction of a first bonus screen. 
     FIG. 5 is a depiction of a second bonus screen. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral  10  as shown in FIG. 2 is directed to the device according to the present invention. 
     In its essence, the device  10  includes a housing  16  which supports a visual display  2 , preferably a video monitor, therewithin. The display  2  may include a window  8  for special messages or for incrementing counting of credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED readout  4  for prompting the player and can provide similar verbiage as the window  8  or in lieu thereof, to stimulate the player. The device includes an inlet  6  for the reception therein for coins, currency or the like to auger in the inception of play. A plurality of decision-making buttons  12  are located on the face of the apparatus  10 , preferable below the display  2  and a pull handle  14  can be used to initiate play as an alternative to supplement the decision-making buttons  12 . A coin hopper, ticket printer, or other device  18  may be included to effectuate an output of an award due the player. The device  10  may have a top portion  32  with a display thereon having a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include a paytable. A plurality of speakers  34  may be included on the device for aural interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes a processor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for generating outcomes. A card  9  provided with an information strip  17  can be read via input  7  as a substitute or supplement to credit transfers as well as player identification. 
     More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 3, greater details with respect to the video display  2  can be explored. The display  2  features a plurality of symbols  20  arranged in a row and column (RXC) matrix  21 . Paylines  22  correspond to areas on the matrix in which winning combinations may be located. The preferred embodiment features a 3×5 matrix with either 9, 15 or 25 paylines. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the flow chart associated with the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be explored. Initially, the player plays the game with a maximum bet or less. Preferably, but optionally, a maximum bet enables the features of the invention. Assume a maximum bet is required. If the player plays with less than a maximum bet, the outcome is determined by the symbols displayed according to the display in FIG.  3 . If the player opts to play with a maximum bet, then after the initial outcome is displayed, the player is immediately rewarded if the initial outcome corresponds to a value on an associated paytable. Whether or not the player wins, the initial outcome is compared to a predetermined set of outcomes that trigger a bonus game. 
     In the preferred embodiment, a triggering outcome enables a first bonus event, utilizing the display as shown in FIG.  4 . Ideally, all bonus events are tied to solving a problem which entails identifying three independent indicia. The first bonus event is directed to matching the first indicia. The first indicia  40  is exposed to the player above a playfield containing unexposed cards  41 . Preferably, there are five unexposed cards  41  in the playfield. The player is allowed to select one card which becomes exposed upon selection. If the exposed card matches the first indicia  40 , the player is awarded a bonus and allowed to move to a second bonus event. Assume the game bonus theme involves, three variables: matching a person, a place and a thing. In the first bonus round, the player is trying to match one of the three variables to the indicia  40 . Assume the first indicia is a person. The five unexposed cards  41  are directed to five people, one of whom “matches” indicia  40 . More particularly, the player is trying to determine which of the five people represented by the cards “hid” the player&#39;s inheritance. 
     The second bonus event utilizes the display shown in FIG.  5 . The preferred embodiment is a game board  50  containing a series of “locales”  52 , defining a playing path. Some of the locales  52  may contain award amounts or multipliers, while others are game-ending locales. The player appears as a counter piece  54  on the board. A random number generator, pictured as a spinner  56 , is activated, which indicates the locale to which the player&#39;s counter piece is to move to next. The player spins and advances the counter piece  54  to the appropriate locale. If the locale is a game-ending locale, the game ends and the player is awarded all credits accumulated from the bonus portion of the session and returned to the primary game. If the locale is not a game-ending locale, the player has an opportunity to guess the value of a pre-selected, unexposed second indicia. Continuing with the inheritance theme, the player must decide what kind of inheritance was hidden. For example, the inheritance or treasure may be currency, bullion, gems, negotiable instruments, rare coins, stamps, etc. A playfield of exposed cards  58 , preferably consisting of five cards, appears below the game board  50 . The cards  58  contain random indicia corresponding to the inheritance/treasure. If the player selects the card matching the second indicia, an award is credited to the player, and the game continues, with the player spinning and moving again. Once the second indicia is matched, play continues in the same manner to match the third indicia. Typically, the third indicia shows five potential sites where the inheritance was hidden. If the player matches all three indicia, the player is awarded all credits accumulated from the bonus portion of the session and returned to the primary game. The game continues until either all three indicia are matched or until the player lands on a game-ending locale. 
     Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.