Patent Publication Number: US-2011059789-A1

Title: Shared secondary wheel game and methods

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority through U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/407,726, which is a continuation of, and claims priority through, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/527,705, filed Mar. 17, 2000, which claims priority through, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/126,052, filed Mar. 23, 1999. All the applications listed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device and method for playing multiple games. More This invention relates to a device and method for playing multiple games. More specifically, this invention relates to a device and method for playing at least two games of chance. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The gaming industry has long been trying to develop slot type games, that are more exciting to play and thus more likely to be played and generate revenue. 
     For example, spinning reel wagering games are well known in the prior art and have long been a staple of the gaming industry. These games utilize one or more actual or apparent cylindrical reels that spin around an axis in response to the player&#39;s insertion of, or the player&#39;s activation of the game after insertion of, a coin or other method of payment to play the game. Game symbols are displayed on the outer circumference of the wheels. Typically, the game is won and a prize is awarded when the game symbols on the reels provide a particular predetermined outcome shown when the reels stop spinning. As a result, a three-wheel game might provide a large award to the player if the outcome is three apples in a row displayed by the three co-axial and adjacent wheels viewable to the player. 
     These spinning reel games can be made more exciting for the player, and thus more likely to be played, by addition of features such as flashing lights, sounds, double bonus time-periods, and progressive linking of multiple such games to a common jackpot in addition to the local jackpot for each machine on its own. These methods of making spinning reel games more exciting and thus more utilized are well known in the art. However, they still present the game player with only one basic game concept: the spinning reel game. 
     One way of making spinning reel or other slot type games (e.g., video poker) even more exciting and likely to be played is to offer an additional game that may be played in the event of a particular outcome in the underlying reel game. In one prior art gaming apparatus, such as that shown in UK Patent Application GB 2 201 821 A, a particular outcome or group of outcomes on the underlying spinning reel game allows the user to playa second but different type of game of chance mounted in the same machine or game box. The second game of chance is a spinning or roulette wheel type of game. In this fashion, the player may win a prize or award in the outcome underlying spinning reel game and then, due to that outcome, also procure the ability to play the second, different type of game and procure an additional prize or award based on the outcome of the second game. 
     In another somewhat similar prior art gaming apparatus, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,874 (the &#39;874 game), the second game of chance, which is also a spinning wheel type of game, is playable upon the occurrence of a particular outcome or group of outcomes in the underlying spinning reel game. In the &#39;874 game, however, the outcome of the second game may directly alter the outcome of the first game and thus directly increase or decrease an award, or provide a different type of award than that provided, in the first game. 
     Although these types of prior art multiple game-of-chance apparatus can be more exciting than the traditional spinning reel device by itself and more exciting than other one-game slot machines such as game-card (e.g., video poker) machines, the applicant has discovered that much more can be done with multiple game-of-chance machines to make them much more exciting to play, more likely to be played, and more profitable for the game owner or gaming establishment. For example, in the device disclosed in the above-referenced British application, the second, roulette-wheel game has only one conventional roulette wheel and one set of or type of outcomes and awards provided by that one wheel game. In addition, the outcome of the first, base game does not affect the outcome or likely or possible future outcomes of the second game or vice versa. 
     Although the &#39;874 patent teaches different types of awards in the second wheel game, including direct alteration of the outcome of the base reel game, the range of types of outcomes in the second wheel game is relatively narrow. In addition, the second wheel game does not provide an outcome that can allow for re-playing of the underlying first reel game. The second game also does not provide “appearance” outcomes that can be transferred directly to, for example, the underlying reel game or intermediate gaming apparatus to alter the positioning of the reels and the concomitant award to be provided based on the altered positioning of the reels in the first game. The &#39;874 machine also offers no possibility for the outcome in the second game to allow the player to resume playing the underlying wheel game, nor does it offer the subsequent possibility for the underlying wheel game to yet again provide an outcome to once again play the reel game. 
     With regard to roulette or spinning wheel games in the prior art, they typically also have the wheels mounted at their axial center on axial drive shafts. Mounting and rotating the wheel on an axial drive places significant stress on the drive shaft and associated drive and support structure. Also, an axial mount and drive mechanism is typically noisy and easily damaged or moved off-center during use or installation or movement of the game apparatus. Axial mounting also occupies significant space for the axial drive behind the wheel, and it requires significant additional and complicated structure in order to drive multiple concentric wheels independently. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention apparatus includes at least two games of chance, and the first game of chance provides a first game outcome, including the possibility to activate the second of chance upon the occurrence of one or more predetermined outcomes in the first game of chance. Upon such activation of the second game of chance, the second game of chance can provide a second game outcome that can influence or alter the first game outcome (i.e. the pre-existing first game outcome or subsequent first game outcomes). Both games of chance are located to be viewable from the vicinity of one game player when located to play the first game of chance. 
     There are many other aspects of the invention that are apparent from this. For example, the two games may be and preferably are mounted in the same box; and the second game may provide multiple types of outcomes such as awards, potential contributions to an outcome bank or reserve for later utilization by the player in playing the first game, and direct alteration of the first game outcome. As another example, in the preferred embodiment, the first game is a spinning reel game, and the second game is a sequentially activated multi-wheel spinning wheel game. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus utilizes a novel resilient drive gear as a radial drive for the wheels in the wheel game. 
     OBJECTS OR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game-of-chance apparatus and method that is more exciting for the player and thus more likely to be played. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a “slot machine” type of game that is utilized more than prior art games and thus generates more revenue and profits for the game owner and gaming establishment. 
     Yet another object is to provide a “slot machine” type of game, thus allowing the game to be played at any time by one player and without any help from any other player or operator. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a multiple game-of-chance that utilizes traditional base games, such as spinning reel or automated card games, and also provides a second game-of-chance that can directly alter the game appearance outcome or possible future game appearance outcome(s) in the base game. 
     A further advantage is the present invention provides a wagering game-of-chance apparatus having a spinning wheel or other traditional slot machine type of game and a second wheel game-of-chance, with the wheel game having multiple wheels providing multiple outcomes and, preferably, multiple types of outcomes. 
     A still further advantage is that the invention provides such a game in which the multiple wheels are concentric and preferably rotate or stop rotation in sequence. 
     An additional advantage is that the present game apparatus also provides a bank or stored reserve of outcomes or partial outcomes that the game or possibly the player may draw upon to alter or improve the appearance and award outcomes in the first or second game. 
     Another advantage is that, in the present game machine, the second game can add to or alter the contents of the bank, possibly at the game player&#39;s option. 
     Yet another advantage is that the present invention provides a game machine in which the second game is a multi-wheeled game and one wheel provides outcomes that add to or alter the contents of the bank, preferably for altering or improving the outcome for the player in the first game. 
     A still further advantage of the present invention is that the second game provides the opportunity for re-activation of the first game, and also that the first game may then again provide the opportunity to re-activate the second game. This cycle can continue theoretically for as long as the player desires to continue playing the game. 
     A further advantage is that the invention provides a multi-wheeled or roulette game that is quieter and more durable and long lasting than prior multi-wheeled games. A related advantage is providing such a game with a more precise yet relatively simple drive mechanism for driving independent rotation of the wheels. A still further related advantage is providing such multi-wheeled game with resilient and reliable radial drive gears. Another advantage is providing a multi-wheeled game in which the wheel drive need not occupy as much space as conventional axial drive wheel games. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a multi-game apparatus and method in which the multiple games can all be viewed by the player without moving from place to place and, preferably, are all mounted together in a manner that occupies approximately the same floor space as a traditional, single game slot machine. 
     A yet additional advantage is that the present multi-game machine may have one game mounted directly above the other, with the lower game appearing much like a traditional spinning reel or other slot machine, the upper game being a multi-wheeled spinning reel game, and optionally an outcome reserve mounted in or on the first and/or second game. 
     There are other objects and advantages of the present invention. They will become apparent as the specification proceeds. 
     In this regard, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by reference to the accompanying claims, and not necessarily by whether any given embodiment achieves all of the objects or advantages stated herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in the following section by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of the applicant&#39;s multi-game apparatus having a lower reel spinning game, an upper concentric multi-wheel game, and an outcome bank of possible reel outcomes that may be drawn upon by the game player; 
         FIG. 2  is a front plan view of the upper concentric multi-wheel game shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the outcome bank shown in the game of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing the connections and relationships between the internal operating components of the preferred multi-game apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the drive mechanism apparatus of the upper concentric multi-wheel game; 
         FIG. 6  is a front plan view of the drive mechanism apparatus of the upper concentric multi-wheel game; 
         FIG. 6A  is a partially exploded front plan view showing the optic encoding pattern on the outer periphery of the outer concentric wheel in the upper concentric multi-wheel game; 
         FIG. 6B  is cross-sectional view of the optic sensor mounted adjacent the outer periphery of the outer concentric wheel in the upper concentric multi-wheel game; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of the resilient radial drive gear of the uppermost drive mechanism of  FIG. 6 , taken along section line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  represent a flow chart of the preferred method of playing the preferred multi-wheel game; 
         FIG. 9  is a substantially front plan view of a resilient gear mechanism according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a substantially schematic diagram of a networked system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment, generally  10 , has two wagering games-of-chance  12 ,  14 . The first game-of-chance  12  is a spinning reel game, and the second game-of-chance  14  is a spinning wheel game. The spinning reel game  12  and spinning wheel game  14  are mounted in the same game box  16 , with the spinning wheel game mounted in the game box  16  vertically above the spinning reel game  12 . A spinning reel outcome bank  18  is mounted between the spinning reel game  12  and the spinning wheel game  14 . 
     The base or footprint  21  of the game box  16  occupies the same floor space (not shown) as would be occupied by a traditional single game slot machine (not shown). As a result, this multiple game apparatus  10  may be utilized in place of the traditional slot machine (not shown) without occupying additional floor space (not shown) in the gaming establishment (not shown). 
     The spinning reel game  12  operates much like a traditional spinning reel game (not shown) with the exception that it interacts with the outcome bank  18  and the spinning wheel game  14  as described in this specification. Thus, the reel game  12  has payment or money-in slots, generally  20 , adjacent the three co-axially aligned reels  22 ,  24 ,  26  viewable by an operator or player of the game (not shown) who typically would stand or sit immediately in front of the reel game  12  to play the reel game  12 . A reel activation arm  28  extends upwardly from the right side  30  of the reel game  12  as viewed by an operator or game player (not shown). The arm  28  is rotatably mounted in the right side  30  in a fashion well known in the art. 
     The reel game  12  also has a reel game activation or ‘spin’ button  32  and various reel game controls and indicators, generally  34 , well known in the art. Among the indicators is a credit meter  36 , which indicates the amount of money available for playing the game  10 . A coin pay-out bin  38  is located below the level of the game controls  37  and game display indicators  34 , which are generally located below the spinning reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the wheel game  14  has three concentric wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46 . The outermost concentric wheel  42  has a single “Wild Symbol” indicia  40 . The middle concentric wheel  44  has three types of indicia: (1) free wheel spin indicia  48 ; (2) bank reel outcome indicia, e.g.,  50 , and (3) award multiplier indicia, e.g.,  52 . The inner concentric wheel  46  have (1) bank reel changing indicia, e.g.,  54 , and (2) wheel re-spin indicia, e.g.,  56 . The three concentric wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46  spin in sequence, with the outer concentric wheel  42  spinning first, the middle wheel  44  spinning when the outer wheel  42  ceases spinning, and the inner wheel  46  spinning until the middle wheel  44  spins to a stop. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the outcome bank  18  consists of, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an LCD display  18  and, referring back to  FIG. 3 , depicts an upper symbol bank display  18  directly above a wheel game replicating display, generally  58 . The wheel game replicating display  58  replicates the spinning action and outcomes reflected in, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first game spinning reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the upper symbol bank display  18  displays up to a maximum of four indicia, generally  60 , identical to, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the various types of middle wheel  44  indicia  48 ,  50 ,  52  placed and displayed in the outcome bank  18  as a result of outcomes procured when spinning the middle wheel  44  in the spinning wheel game  14  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 1 , a base game controller  62  provides for automated control and operation of the reel game  12 . The base game controller  62  also communicates via serial interface  64  with the wheel game controller  66 , which provides automated control and operation of the wheel game  14 . In this fashion, the base game controller  62  then provides for automated control and operation of the outcome bank or LCD display  18  and interaction of the outcome bank  18  with the reel game  12 . 
     The base game controller  62  is connected to and controls the sound system  68 , other conventional input/output apparatus  70 , the reel game  71 , the reel game display  72 , the coin-in, payout, and peripheral device apparatus  74 , and player tracking controller  76  in a fashion well known by those skilled in the art. The base game controller  62  may also be connected to, and control the operation  0 , a touch screen display  78 . The touch screen display  78  may operate in conjunction with, for example, the LCD  18  display to allow the game player (not shown) to select among various outcome banking options that can be shown in the LCD display  18 . This type of additional feature and touch screen  78  is not included, however, in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     The wheel game controller  66  is connected to and controls the lighting controller  80 , the wheel stepper motors  82 , and wheel encoder optics  84 . In turn, the wheel stepper motor activates and controls the rotation of the concentric wheel mechanism  86  by means of radial gears  88  shown in detail in  FIGS. 5-7 . The details of the interconnections and means of accomplishing control between the wheel controller  66 , lighting controller  80 , wheel stepper motors  82 , and wheel encoder optics  84  are not further described since they are known to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the three concentric wheels are secured in place, driven, and controlled within game box  16  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) by three radial drive mechanisms, generally  86 ,  88 ,  90  (see  90  in  FIG. 6 ). Each radial drive mechanism, e.g.,  86 , consists of (i) a stepper motor  86  rigidly mounted to the interior of the box  16  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ); (ii) a stepper motor drive shaft  92  extending from and driven by the stepper motor  86 ; (iii) a drive gear  94  radially extending from and driven by the motor drive shaft  92 ; (iv) a shaft gear  96  meshing with and driven by the drive gear  94  and radially extending from and rigidly secured to an offset drive shaft  98 ; (v) two offset drive shaft support bearings  100 ,  102  mounted to the interior of the box  16  to hold the offset drive shaft  98  in position with respect to the drive gear  94  and the concentric wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46 ; (vi) two free spinning, resilient radial gears  104 ,  106  extending radially from the offset drive shaft  98  and engaging mating gear teeth in the outer periphery  108 ,  110  of the mating concentric wheels  42 ,  44  engaged and supported in position by the radial gears  104 ,  106 , and (vii) a driven resilient radial gear  112  extending radially from, and driven by, the offset drive shaft  98  and thus engaging and driving mating gear teeth in the outer periphery  114  of the mating inner concentric wheel  46  engaged, driven, and supported in position by the driven radial gear  112 . Consequently, the stepper motor  86  controls and drives the rotation of the inner concentric wheel  46 . 
     Referring now to both  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  6 A, and  6 B by altering the location of the driven radial gear, e.g.,  112 , with respect to the two free spinning radial gears, e.g., 104, 106, in the other two drive mechanisms  88 ,  90 , the second stepper motor  116  in the second drive mechanism  88  controls and drives the rotation of the middle concentric wheel  44 , and the third stepper motor (not shown) in the third drive mechanism  90  controls and drives the rotation of the outer concentric wheel  42 . The wheel encoder optic sensor  84  is mounted in the box  16  (not shown in  FIG. 5  or  6 ) adjacent the outermost periphery of the three co-axial concentric wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46  in order to read the rotational position of each such wheel, e.g.,  42 , by reading an optic encoding pattern  118  in the outer periphery of the wheel  42 . The structure and operation of the optic sensor array  84  and mating encoding patterns, e.g.,  118 , in the outer periphery of all three wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46  are known to those skilled in the art and thus not further described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , each driven resilient drive gear, e.g.,  112 , is made of flexible urethane. The resilient gear  112  has a central axial tubular section  120  that is bonded to the outer periphery of, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the offset drive shaft  98  on which the resilient gear  112  is mounted. The resilient gear  112  is thus driven to rotate along with the rotation of the offset drive shaft  98 . 
     The gear teeth member  122  of the resilient gear  112  is integral with, and extends radially outwardly from, the central tubular section  120 . In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7 , the gear teeth member  122  has an integral Z-shaped, radially compressible and resilient cross-section, with one arcuate or U-shaped resilient arm section  124  (which is within or integral to the overall Z-shaped portion  122 ) narrowed with respect to the other, thickened resilient arm  126  of the U-shaped portion  124 . The outermost end  128  of the narrowed arm  124  extends radially outwardly from the tubular section  120 , and the thickened  126  has, as shown in  FIG. 6 , integral gear teeth,  128  generally, extending radially outwardly from the circumferential periphery of the thickened arm  126 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the gear teeth member or pinion  122  has rounded (i.e., circular) gear teeth  123  extending radially outwardly to mate with angled gear teeth  125  on the mating radial gear, e.g.,  112 . Upon intersection of a rounded gear teeth member, e.g.,  127 , in the corresponding spacing between two adjacent angled gear teeth, e.g.,  125 ,  129 , the resilient rounded gear teeth member  127  is deformed to fill the entire space between the angled gear teeth  125 ,  129 . This high level of engagement between the radial gear  112  and gear teeth member  122  ensures secure driving of the gear teeth member  112  by the radial gear  112 , while minimizing any backlash between the gear teeth member  122  and radial gear  112 . 
     Referring now to both  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the flexible urethane composition and the U-shaped cross-section of the resilient gear  112  also allows the resilient gear  112  to accommodate and resiliently damp vibration of or shock to, and absorb lateral movement and expansion or contraction of, the concentric wheel  42  while continuing to drive or stop rotation of the concentric wheel  42  in response to corresponding rotation or termination of rotation by the corresponding stepping motor  91 . In addition, the driving engagement of the resilient gear  112  with the mating peripheral teeth in the periphery  114  of the concentric wheel  42  is relatively quiet and noise-free. The radial drive of the concentric wheel  42  provided by the resilient gear  112  and its associated zero-backlash drive mechanism  86  is not only generally more precise than conventional axial or wheel drive mechanisms but also typically less likely to be damaged or mis-aligned during use or movement of the game  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the urethane composition of the lower resilient gears  88 ,  90  is stronger than that of the upper resilient gear  86 . Specifically, the composition of the lower resilient gears  88 ,  90  is 80 Shore A Durometer polyester based urethane (“Versathane”); and that of the upper gear  86  is 86 Shore A Durometer Versathane. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the structure of the free-spinning gears  104 ,  106  is the same as the structure of the driven gear  112  except that the free-spinning gears are mounted on internal bearings  130 ,  132 . The bearings  130 ,  132  freely rotate with respect to the offset drive shaft  98  and thus allow the gears  104 ,  106  to similarly rotate. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the preferred game is played as follows. 
     1. The player activates the game  10  by inserting two coins (or electing two credits) and pulls the handle  28  or pushes the “spin” button  32  on the reel game  12 . 
     2. The reels  22 ,  24 ,  26  spin  102  to a stopping position  104  that is randomly generated by a random number generator incorporated into the reel game  12  in a fashion well known to those skilled in the art. 
     3. If the stop position is an award event  110 , the player is credited with the award by the game  112  in a manner well known in the art. 
     4. If one of the reels  22 ,  24 ,  26  in the stop position does not display a “spin wheels” symbol  114 , the game ends  134 . 
     5. If one of the reels  22 ,  24 ,  26  in the stop position  110  displays a “spin wheels” symbol  114 , the wheel game  14  is activated  116  and the three concentric wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46  spin and stop at a stopping position  116  in sequence, with the outer wheel  42  stopping first, the middle wheel  44  stopping second, and the inner wheel  46  stopping last. The resulting stopping position  116  is also randomly generated by a random number generator incorporated into the wheel game  14  in a fashion well known to those skilled in the art. In an alternative embodiment, wheels  42 ,  44 , and  46  are not spun to randomly determined stopping positions. Rather, the position of the wheels  42 ,  44 , and  46  are adjusted based on incremental adjusting commands displayed on reels  22 ,  24 , and  26 . For example, reel  22  may display a symbol that requires wheel  42  to be rotated one position, in which case wheel  42  is advanced one position. The wheel adjusting commands may require any or all of wheels  42 ,  44 , and  46  to be moved any number of positions in either direction. Because the stopping positions of wheel  42 ,  44 , and  46  are dependent on the staring position of the wheels and the outcome of reels  22 ,  24 , and  26 , game  14  can be viewed as an extension of game  12  rather than an independent bonus game. In this embodiment, wheels  42 ,  44 , and  46  may be moved to randomly determined starting positions when game apparatus  10  is first turned on. 
     The present invention includes yet another embodiment in which outcome of reels  22 ,  24 , and  26  and wheels  42 ,  44 , and  46  are determined by a single random selection process. In this embodiment, a single random number may be generated that is compared to a game outcome table. The game outcome table includes all of the possible outcomes and displays that may be presented by game apparatus  10 , including re-spins of the reels and wheels and wheel adjusting commands. While it may appear to the player that games  12  and  14  are operating independently from one another, in fact, a single random event may determine the entire game. 
     6. The outcome of the wheel game  14  may provide an award event  120  and an award and a bank-storage event  122 ,  124 . More specifically and with continuing reference throughout to  FIG. 8 , the outcome of the wheel game  14  is determined as follows:
         A. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer wheel  42  stops at either a number symbol, e.g.,  43 , or a “Win wild” symbol  40 . If the outer wheel  42  stops at number symbol  43 , the player is credited with a number of coins equivalent to the number stated by the number symbol  43 ,  120 .   B. If the outer wheel  42  stops at the “Win wild” symbol  40 , the “Win wild” symbol  40  is placed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in the upper horizontal symbol bank display  59  in the symbol bank  18 , replacing a pre-existing symbol according to a first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) replacement method  124 . When this occurs, one of the symbols in the spinning reel game  12  is replaced with a wild symbol at the conclusion of each of the next four games played by the game player  126 ,  130 ,  132 ,  106 . The replacement takes place by automatically selecting and spinning one of the three reels  22 ,  24 ,  26  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to display the wild symbol on the one reel  108 , to thus provide the best possible outcome by the single replacement on the one of the three reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 . If this replacement yields a winning outcome  110  on the reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 , the player is awarded the award  112  according to the winning outcome on the reels  22 ,  24 ,  26 .   C. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , when the middle wheel  44  stops at an award multiplier, e.g.,  52 , and the player has been awarded an award by the stop position of the outer wheel  42 , that award is multiplied by the amount of the multiplier and credited to the player  118 ,  120 . The multiplier  52  is also stored in, as shown in  FIG. 3 , upper horizontal bank display  59  (thus replacing a pre-existing symbol in the bank display  59  according to the FIFO method  122 ,  124 . When this occurs, the multiplier  50  is automatically applied in, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower reel game  12  to multiply the award, if any, to the player in each of the next four plays of the lower reel game  12 ,  110 ,  112 .   D. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , if, instead of an award multiplier, e.g.,  52 , the middle wheel  44  stops on a bank reel symbol, e.g.,  50 , then that symbol is transferred to and appears in, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the bank reel display  58 ,  122 ,  124  only if, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the inner wheel  46  stops or lands on a bank reel changing indicia, e.g., 54. In such an event, the particular bank reel symbol, e.g.,  50 ,  132 , is added to the particular reel area, in the bank reel display  58 , identified by the bank reel changing indicia, e.g.,  54 . Once a symbol resides in the bank reel display  58 , the symbol is automatically applied to, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower reel game  12  if the application of that symbol will result in an award to the player  126 ,  130 ,  132 . For example, if, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the symbol “7” appears in the second bank reel  59  and the combination “7, blank, 7” appears in, as shown  FIG. 1 , the stop position of the lower reel game  12 , the middle reel  24  rotates to indicate a “7” in the stop position and thus provide an award to the player in conformance with the appearance of “7, 7, 7” in the stop position of the lower reel game  12 .   E. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , if the middle wheel  44  stops at the “Oops, take symbol from bank” symbol and the inner wheel  46  stops at bank reel symbol, e.g.,  50 , then a symbol is removed from, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the particular reel area, in the bank reel display  58 , identified by the bank reel symbol, e.g.,  50 , according to the FIFO rule  122 ,  124 ,  132 .   F. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , if the middle wheel stops at the symbol “Oops loose spin,” that symbol is deposited in, i.e., appears in, the horizontal bank display  59 ,  122 ,  124  as shown in  FIG. 3 . When this happens, the upper wheel game  14  as shown in  FIG. 1  will not be activated, and the wheels  42 ,  44 ,  46  as shown in  FIG. 2  will not spin, even if a “spin wheels” symbol occurs in, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower reel game  12  in any of the four succeeding games or reel spins that take place  106 ,  108 . At the same time, however, other symbols may be taken from the bank  18  during this time period as explained above.   G. Referring again to  FIG. 2 , if the middle wheel  44  stops at the symbol “Free wheel spin,” it is deposited in the upper horizontal bank display  59  and is active for the next four games played by the player  106 ,  108 . In other words, regardless of reel outcome in, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower reel game  12  in each of the next four such games, the upper wheel game  14  is activated when the reel game  12  ceases spinning in each such game.   H. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , if the inner wheel  46  stops at the symbol “Deposit wild symbol in bank,” then a wild symbol is deposited 122, 124 randomly as a next available symbol on one of the bank reel areas in the bank reel display  58  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the next play of the lower reel game  12  by the game player as shown in  FIG. 1  in which the wild symbol can provide an award for the player when transferred to the same reel, the wild symbol is transferred to the lower game reel  106 , 108  and the player is awarded the prize or credit  112  provided by the outcome on the lower reel game  12  as altered by the transfer.   I. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , if the inner wheel  46  lands on the symbol “Oops no deposit,” then nothing happens and the game terminates unless otherwise extended by the stop position of the outer  42  or middle  44  wheels.   J. If the inner wheel  46  lands on the symbols “Reel ‘X’ re-spin” or “Re-spin game”  108 , then the designated reel(s) in the lower game  12  as shown in  FIG. 1  is (are) re-spun  102  and the outcome of the re-spin may provide yet another award  112  or re-activation of the wheel spinning game  14 ,  116 .   K. Referring yet again to  FIG. 2 , if the inner wheel  46  lands on the symbol “Oops, take symbol from bank”  122 , a randomly selected symbol is removed from the reel display  58  in the bank  18 ,  124 .       

       FIG. 10  illustrates a networked system  200  of the present invention in which a single separate display unit  202  containing spinning wheel game  14  may be linked to one or more game devices  204 . Game devices  204  may contain any of a large variety of games and game displays. In the preferred embodiment, game devices  204  comprise spinning reel games  12 . Each game device  204  is linked to display unit  202  by a communication device  206 . Communication device  206  may use many different communication protocols and systems, such as Ethernet communication protocols, network cards, and cables. 
     In this embodiment, adjustments maybe made to the method of the present invention to allow a plurality of game devices  204  to use a single display unit  202 . When one of the game devices  204  produces a wheel spinning event (see  FIG. 8 , step  114 ), a signal is transmitted to display unit  202 . If display unit  202  is currently working to generate a display for another wheel spinning event, the signal or information in the signal may be placed in a queue or memory device. When display unit  204  is free to respond to a new wheel spinning event, the signal is received, processed, and display unit  204  spins the wheels (see  FIG. 8 , step  116 ). The method would then continue as previously discussed. 
     In order to avoid confusion among players, system  200  may comprise a means for indicating which game device  204  is currently interacting with display unit  202 . The indicating means may comprise a video display or lighted sign on display unit  202  that displays indicia, such as a number, that indicates the currently interacting game device  204 . A display, such as a video display or lighted sign, may also be placed on game device  204  for conveying similar information to the player. For example, when the player has qualified to spin the wheel of display unit  202  but the display unit is working on an event for another player, the display may communicate this to the player. When it is the player&#39;s turn, the display so informs the player. 
     System  200  may be adapted for use with progressive jackpots. Display unit  202  may include a progressive jackpot meter that displays the current value of the jackpot in a way that is well known in the art. Players may win the progressive jackpot as a result of obtaining a predefined outcome on display unit  202 , game device  204 , or a combination of both. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain variations therefrom. The scope of the applicant&#39;s invention, however, is to be determined by reference to the following claims.