Patent Publication Number: US-6981635-B1

Title: Gaming device having interacting symbols

Description:
This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE WITH TRAVELING REEL SYMBOLS,” U.S. Ser. No. 09/606,928, “GAMING DEVICE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE REELS,” U.S. Ser. No. 10/023,268, “GAMING DEVICE WITH MOVING SCREEN SIMULATION,” U.S. Ser. No. 09/625,884, “GAMING DEVICE WITH SIGNIFIED REEL SYMBOLS,” U.S. Ser. No. 10/990,484, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING TOUCH ACTIVATED ALTERNATING OR CHANGING SYMBOL,” U.S. Ser. No. 09/602,331, “GAMING DEVICE PROVIDING TOUCH ACTIVATED SYMBOL INFORMATION,” U.S. Ser. No. 09/680,349, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A CHANGEABLE OBJECT,” U.S. Ser. No. 09/680,111, “GAMING DEVICE WITH TRAVELING REEL SYMBOLS;” U.S. Ser. No. 09/689,197, and “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A SYMBOL COVERING FEATURE,” U.S. Ser. No. 09/684,275. 

   COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
   A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
   DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having interacting symbols. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Gaming machines currently exist with mechanical reels having symbols thereon, video reels having symbols and bonus schemes in which a player has one or more opportunities to choose a particular symbol from a group of symbols to receive credit or bonus values. 
   Many gaming devices with a variety of symbols are well known. Since players are seeking more entertainment and enjoyment, it is desirable to provide players with new gaming devices where the players have an opportunity to receive winning payouts and are entertained at the same time. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a gaming device and method which provides players an award associated with interacting symbols on reels of a gaming device. For purposes of this application, the term “interacting” includes visually or audibly displaying one symbol influencing or acting in conjunction with one or more other symbols. 
   The gaming scheme of the present invention provides a player with a plurality of symbols on a plurality of video or virtual reels. When a player obtains two or more interacting symbols, the game exhibits an interaction between or among the symbols using the display device. In operation, the player initiates spinning the video reels, generally by placing a wager. If the reels display at least two (preferably related and adjacently positioned) symbols on the same horizontal row, the game exhibits an interaction between the symbols and the game preferably awards the player with a credit award or bonus value. 
   If the present invention is used in a bonus scheme of a gaming device, the game preferably enables the player to select one or more of the interacting symbols. In such a bonus game, preferably certain of the symbols are each related to at least one other symbol and will display an interaction if properly selected. In one embodiment, if the player selects two non-interacting symbols, the bonus round terminates. As long as the player avoids the non-interacting symbols, the game continues and the player chooses another selection. If the player chooses additional interacting symbols, the game preferably awards the player with another award. This process continues until the player ultimately chooses non-interacting symbols or until the player chooses all the related symbols in the bonus round. It should also be appreciated that the gaming device could select a first symbol and prompt the player to select another symbol and display the interaction between the symbols, if appropriate. 
   The symbols may be represented by characters which appear in the squares, including people, phrases and animals. In one preferred embodiment, the symbols consist of characters in pairs or threes. Characters which are related to one another are preferably paired with one another. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device which includes interacting symbols. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device with a gaming scheme which provides a reward for obtaining symbols that interact. 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are front plan views of two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the gaming scheme of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D and  4 E are top plan views of the selections, symbols and interaction in one embodiment of the gaming scheme of the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F and  5 G are a top plan views of an alternative embodiment of the selections, symbols and interactions of the gaming scheme of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Gaming Device and Electronics 
   Referring now to the drawings, a gaming device  10  of one embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine is generally illustrated. Gaming device  10  is constructed so that a player can operate gaming device  10  while standing or sitting. However, it should be appreciated that gaming device  10  can be constructed as a pub-style tabletop game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting. Gaming device  10  can also be implemented as a program code stored in a detachable cartridge for operating a hand-held video game device. Also, gaming device  10  can be implemented as a program code stored on a disk or other memory device which a player can use in a desktop or laptop personal computer or other computerized platform. 
   Gaming device  10  can incorporate any primary game such as slot, poker or keno in addition to any of their bonus triggering events which trigger the gaming scheme of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the gaming device  10  incorporates a gaming scheme including a primary game and a secondary or bonus game. However, it should be appreciated that the gaming device  10  includes a primary game while the gaming scheme comprises only the secondary game. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device  10  may be in mechanical, electrical or video form. In one embodiment, the primary game uses symbols and indica in mechanical form and the secondary game includes only symbols in video form. It is also anticipated that the symbols in both the primary and secondary game are in video form. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , gaming device  10  includes a coin slot  12  and bill acceptor  14  where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot  12  or paper money in the bill acceptor  14 . Other devices could be used to accept payment such as readers or validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts money in gaming device  10 , a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display  16 . After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm  18 , pushing play button  20  or activating any other mechanism (including a touch screen) which starts the game. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , gaming device  10  also includes a bet display  22  and a bet one button  24 . The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button  24 . The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button  24 . When the player pushes the bet one button  24 , the number of credits shown in the credit display  16  decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display  22  increases by one. 
   Gaming device  10  also has a display window  28  which contains a plurality of reels  30 , preferably two to five reels in mechanical or video (i.e., virtual) form. Each reel  30  displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device  10 . Each symbol may be associated with an audio representation provided through speakers  34 . If the reels  30  are in video or virtual form, the gaming device  10  preferably displays the video reels  30  at display  32  instead of at display window  28  (best viewed in FIG.  1 B). 
   The display  32  is selected from the group consisting of cathode ray tubes “CRTs”, high resolution flat panel LCDs, projection type LCDs, plasma displays, field emission displays, digital micromirror displays, LCD touch-screens, flat TV displays or other suitable displays. The display  32  is capable of portraying or displaying images, symbols and other indicia including images of people, characters, places, things and card faces associated with the game. This display  32  (and speakers  34 ) generally attract patrons to play the game. 
   In one preferred embodiment, the display  32  is an LCD which is used to display images, symbols and other indicia including secondary games which represent a bonus game (a secondary game for which a bonus is awarded to the primary game). It should be appreciated that the display window  28  containing reels  30  and display  32  could be combined into one display so that the display  32  provides the reels  30  only in video or virtual form along with the images, symbols and other indicia of the gaming device  10  for both the primary and secondary games (best viewed in FIG.  1 B). Furthermore, a plurality of smaller displays could combine to form display  32  and used with the present invention. 
   At any time during the primary game, a player may “cash out” and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button  26 . When the player “cashes out,” the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray  36 . The gaming device  10  may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player&#39;s credits. 
   With respect to electronics, gaming device  10  preferably includes the electronic configuration generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 , including a processor  38 , a memory device  40  for storing program code or other data, a display  32  or other display device such as a liquid crystal display and at least one input device such as play button  20  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The processor  38  is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The processor  38  also provides the interaction between the images, symbols and other indicia, generally in cartoon form. The memory device  40  can include random access memory (RAM)  42  for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device  40  can also include read only memory (ROM)  44  for storing program code which controls the gaming device  10  so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game scheme and any applicable pay tables. 
   The player preferably uses input devices  33  such as play button  20  or arm  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to input signals into gaming device  10 . Furthermore, it is anticipated that gaming device  10  includes a touch screen  46  and an associated touch screen controller  48  since the game requires input or a selection by the player. Touch screen  46  and touch screen controller  48  are connected to a video controller  50  and processor  38 . A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device  10  by touching touch screen  46  at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the processor  38  can be connected to coin slot  12  or bill acceptor  14 . The processor  38  can be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the game. 
   It should be appreciated that although the processor  38  and memory device  40  are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC&#39;s) or other hard-wired devices, (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor  38  and memory device  40  preferably reside on each gaming device  10  unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor  38  and memory device  40  are generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.” 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2 , to operate the gaming device  10 , the player must insert the appropriate amount of money or tokens at coin slot  12  or bill acceptor  14  and then activate the input device  33  (i.e., pull the arm  18 , push the play button  20  or use touch screen buttons. The reels  30  will then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels  30  will come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels  30  again. Depending upon where the reels  30  stop, the player may or may not win additional credits. 
   In addition to winning credits in this manner, preferably gaming device  10  also provides players the opportunity to win credits in the secondary or bonus round. It should be anticipated that while the present invention is in regards to a bonus round, it is equally applicable to a primary game. This type of gaming device  10  includes a program which automatically begins a secondary or bonus round (i.e., the “gaming scheme”) when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the primary game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on the display window  28 . 
   Preferably, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels  30 . As illustrated in the three reel slot game shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the qualifying condition could be the text “BONUS” appearing in the same location on three adjacent reels during the primary game or the text “Bonus” on one reel and a predetermined bet in the primary game. 
   Gaming Scheme with Interacting Symbols 
   If a player achieves a bonus triggering or qualifying condition while playing the primary game, the gaming device  10  automatically initiates the gaming scheme, beginning the bonus round of the present invention as indicated by block  52  in FIG.  3 . The gaming scheme of the present invention provides the player with a plurality of symbols as indicated by block  54 . The symbols are images consisting of varying graphics and having various sizes, shapes, colors and associated sounds. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of symbols are displayed on two or more video or virtual reels  30  (see  FIG. 1B ) provided by display  32 . In one preferred embodiment, five video reels are contemplated, each reel having a plurality of symbols as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A through 5G . However, it should be anticipated that three reels  30  provide the symbols in a grid-like arrangement as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A through 4E . The symbols can be separated and spaced apart in an orderly or disorderly fashion. 
   In one embodiment, the gaming device  10  (see  FIG. 1B ) spins the reels  30 , randomly rearranging or altering the position of the symbols. The gaming device  10  displays the rearranged symbols. If at least two or more preferably related symbols are adjacently positioned (i.e., horizontally, vertically or diagonally) the gaming device  10  displays the interaction between the symbols. 
   In another preferred embodiment, gaming device  10  spins the plurality of reels  30  prior to displaying the plurality of randomly rearranged symbols. After reviewing the plurality of symbols, the player chooses or selects at least one of the highlighted or indicated symbols (preferably by touching touch screen  46 ) as indicated by block  56  in FIG.  3 . When a player selects an interacting symbol, the game exhibits, displays or otherwise causes the selected interacting symbol to interact with another interacting symbol as indicated by block  58 . It is also contemplated that the player selects the first interacting symbol and then selects one or more additional interacting symbols that interact with the first symbol. 
   Preferably the selected symbols have related characteristics and interact because of those related characteristics. For example interacting symbols include: (i) a horse and buggy, where the interaction includes the horse pulling the buggy; (ii) a hammer and nail, where the hammer strikes the nail; and (iii) a cow and a moon, where the cow jumps over the moon. 
   The game preferably awards the basic value to the player each time the device  10  displays the interacting symbol(s). The values of the interacting symbols may vary, are preferably combined and are displayed to the player. It should be appreciated, however, that more than two symbols may interact and different values may be awarded depending on the symbols that are selected and the interaction between those symbols. For example, the gaming device  10  might display drumsticks, a drum and cymbals, where only the drumsticks and drum interact. The player only receives credit or bonus values when the device  10  displays or the player selects the drumsticks and drum. In one alternative embodiment, if the device displays or the player selects the drumsticks and cymbals (i.e., the non-interacting cymbals), the gaming device  10  does not display an interaction or award any credit value to the player. 
   In another example involving the same symbols (i.e., drumsticks, drum and cymbals), different credit values are awarded for different selections and interactions. For example, the gaming device  10  may display one interaction and award a predetermined credit value for displaying or selecting the interaction and different value for displaying or selecting the drumsticks and cymbals. 
   It should be appreciated that the non-interacting and interacting symbols are interchangeable. That is one symbol may interact with a second symbol in one game (i.e., the drumsticks and the drum) and with a different symbol in another game (i.e., the drumsticks and the cymbals). Further, non-interacting symbols in one game may become interacting symbols in another. 
   In this embodiment, the gaming device  10  determines if the symbols interact as indicated by diamond  60 . If the symbols interact, the game preferably displays the interaction and the basic value associated with such interaction as indicated by block  62  and awards the player that basic or credit value as indicated by block  64 . The game device  10  adds the basic or credit value to the player&#39;s current value which is preferably displayed by the display  32  or credit display  16 , as indicated by block  64 . In one embodiment the game further spins the reels, displays a new set of plurality of symbols and enables the player to play again. 
   If the machine does not display or the player does not select interacting symbols as indicated by diamond  60 , the bonus round or game preferably ends. The player&#39;s current total as displayed in credit display  16  or display  32  becomes the final total which is awarded to the player as indicated by blocks  66  and  68  respectively. Preferably the gaming device  10  terminates the gaming scheme, terminating the bonus round (or primary game if applicable) as illustrated by block  70 . 
   An embodiment of the game is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A through 4E . The gaming device  10  displays a plurality of reels  72  having a plurality of symbols  74  that connect to, and are controlled by, the controller. In the depicted embodiment, the gaming device  10  displays three digital or virtual reels  72  which form a grid  76  as illustrated in FIG.  4 A. 
   In one embodiment, the device  10  spins reels  72 , rearranging or altering the arrangement of the symbols  74 . If two (or more) symbols are aligned, preferably on a horizontal line, display  32  provides or displays the interaction  82  (best viewed in  FIG. 4D ) then displays the basic or credit value  84  (best viewed in FIG.  4 E). 
   In another embodiment, device  10  selects a symbol  74  and displays that selection as a first or displayed symbol  78  as illustrated in FIG.  4 B. The gaming device  10  prompts the player to select a matching or interacting symbol  80  as illustrated in  FIG. 4C  using visual or audio prompts or a combination of the two. The visual prompts are provided by display  32  while the audio prompts are provided by speakers  34 . It should also be anticipated that the gaming device prompts the player to select the first symbol  78  and then selects the interacting symbol  80 . 
   If the player has chosen correctly (i.e., chosen symbols that interact) the display  32  displays the interaction  82  and then the credit value  84  associated with that interaction as illustrated in  FIGS. 4D and 4E . The game adds the credit value to the player&#39;s current value and starts the game or round over, spinning the reels  72  and prompting the player to select a new symbol(s). If the symbols  74  do not interact, the game terminates. 
   Preferably the game device  10  rearranges the symbols each time a new bonus round begins. The rearrangement enables the symbols  74  to be located in different locations from play to play in one bonus round or from bonus round to bonus round. 
   The bonus scheme of the present invention offer players with a heightened level of excitement because the player does not know what basic values are “behind” the interacting symbols. The game offers the player an array of symbols. When the device  10  displays or the player chooses a symbol, the device  10  could display or the player could select a symbol which is related to and interacts with another symbol, providing the player with a basic value. The possibility that one spin or one touch on touch screen  44  could bring instant failure or success with various awards is exciting and generally pleasurable to players. Moreover the contemplated interaction is preferably silly, providing enjoyment to the player. 
   In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the symbols in the gaming scheme of the present invention are images, specifically, characters. The characters are people and animals, preferably in cartoon form. Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment certain characters are related. 
   As is apparent by viewing  FIGS. 5A through 5G , one embodiment of the bonus scheme preferably, incorporates a Three Stooges cartoon theme, including Three Stooges characters. Three Stooges is a registered trademark of C3 Entertainment, Inc., and is licensed by the assignee of the present invention. In addition, the preferred embodiment can include audio features (i.e., songs, voices and other sound effects) which are consistent with the cartoon theme of this preferred embodiment. 
   The five reels  72  illustrated in  FIGS. 5A through 5G  include a plurality of Three Stooges characters  86 . The symbols  74  are shaped in squares and located on a three by five grid  76 . The reels  72  or a box adjacent to the reels include a message  88  to the player. 
   The game prompts the player to select an interacting symbol, using a visual prompt  90  and/or an audio prompt using speaker  34 . After selecting the interacting symbol  80 , the game displays the interaction  82  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5B ,  5 C,  5 D and  5 F and provides the associated credit or basic value  84  (best seen in FIGS.  5 D and  5 G). In the depicted embodiments, one interacting symbol  80  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  squirts a fire hose at another interacting symbol and one interacting symbol  80  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  pulls another interacting symbol&#39;s hair. 
   While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims, and that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.