Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to slot machines, and more particularly, to a slot machine that allows for multiple pulls of the slot machine on a single token regardless if the first pull produces a winning combination and or bonus combination. 
     Slot machines are casino gambling machines which may have three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed or a lever is pulled. Slot machines generally have a currency detector. The currency detector validates the coin or currency (hereinafter currency) placed in the slot machine and provides the proper amount of credits (i.e. pulls) for the currency inserted. Presently, slot machines provide one credit and hence one pull per currency indicated on the machine. For example, if the slot machine is a $1.00 slot machine, the slot machine provides one credit and hence one pull for each dollar inserted into the slot machine. 
     In general, a player receives one pull for each credit. There are some slot machines which allow for a second pull. However, in prior art slot machines, a second pull is only allowed if the reels on the slot show a winning combination and or a bonus combination. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method that overcomes the above problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     A slot machine has a wager receiving device to determine what currency is inserted into the slot machine. A processor is coupled to the wager receiving device. The processor executes program instructions causing the processor to: receive signals from the wager receiving device of the currency inserted into the slot machine; calculating a number of credits based on the currency inserted into the slot machine; and providing one of multiple credits for each paid credit or multiple plays of the slot machine per credit paid regardless of outcome of a previous play. 
     A slot machine has a wager receiving device to determine what currency is inserted into the slot machine. A processor is coupled to the wager receiving device. The processor executes program instructions causing the processor to receive signals from the wager receiving device of the currency inserted into the slot machine; calculating a number of credits based on the currency inserted into the slot machine; and providing multiple credits for each paid credit. 
     A slot machine has a wager receiving device to determine what currency is inserted into the slot machine. A processor is coupled to the wager receiving device. The processor executes program instructions causing the processor to: receive signals from the wager receiving device of the currency inserted into the slot machine; calculating a number of credits based on the currency inserted into the slot machine; and providing multiple plays of the slot machine per credit paid regardless of outcome of a previous play. 
     The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a slot machine of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing operation of the slot machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a slot machine  10  of the present invention is shown. The slot machine  10  may have a housing  12 . The housing  12  maybe used to store and protect the internal circuitry of the slot machine  10 . 
     A front panel  14  of the housing  10  may have a window  16 . The window  16  may be used to show the playing area of the slot machine  10 . The playing area may be a plurality of reels  17  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the playing area may be a video screen or the like. 
     One or more game information displays  19  may be located on the front panel  14 . The game information displays  19  may be used to show the number of credits available, how many credits are being played, and the like. The listing of the above is given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The front panel  14  may have a currency collector  18 . The currency collector  18  may be used to insert currency in to the slot machine  10 . The currency collector  18  may be a coin input  18 A, or a paper currency collector  18 B. Other types of currency collectors  18  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a card reading device may be used which may be able to read, a credit card, debit card, casino player&#39; card and the like. 
     One or more display panels  20  may be formed in the front panel  14 . The display panels  20  may be illuminate panels, video screens, or the like. The display panels  20  may be used to show different information about the slot machine  10  and or to attract individuals to the slot machine  10  to play. The display panels  20  may show a name of the slot machine, the payout for the slot machine, directions on how to play the slot machine, and the like. The above listing of the information which may be shown on the display panels  20  is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The front panel  14  may further have a currency outlet  22  and a collection tray  24 . The currency outlet  22  may be used to dispense winnings from the slot machine  10 . The collection tray  24  may be used to collect all the winnings that may be dispensed from the slot machine  10 . 
     The front panel  14  may have a plurality of input devices  26 . The input devices  26  may be used to activate and rotate the plurality of reels  17 , play a set amount of credits, cash-out, and the like. The above are given as examples. The input devices  26  may serve other features without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The slot machine  10  may also have a lever  28  located on a side panel  30 . The lever  28  may also be used to activate and rotate the plurality of reels  17 . 
     The slot machine  10  may have a plurality of other features. For example, the slot machine may have one or more speakers  32 , a light indicator  34  to signal that help is needed or that a bonus payout has been won, a ticket dispenser  36  for dispensing printed tickets of credits, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a simplified block diagram of a portion of the circuitry of the slot machine  10  is shown. The slot machine  10  may have a wager receiver/counter device  36 . The wager receiver/counter device  36  receives any coins, paper currency, and or casino/credit card inserted into the currency collector  18 . The wager receiver/counter device  36  determines what was inserted into the currency collector  18  and sends this information to a processor  38 . The processor  38  will then provide the proper amount of credits for playing the slot machine. The processor  38  may be coupled to one or more of the game information displays  19 . The game information displays  19  may show the number of credits available, the number of credits being played, and the like. The processor  38  may further be programmed to control operation of the slot machine. Hence, the processor may be used to control the operation of the window  16  to show the playing area of the slot machine  10 . Thus, the processor  38  may be used to rotate and control the plurality of reels  17  and or video reels in the window  16 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the processor  38  may provide multiple credits for each paid credit. For example, if the slot machine is a $1.00 slot machine, for each dollar paid, the processor  38  may provide 2 credits or more. Thus, a player may be given an option of playing additional rounds for a single credit paid or playing multiple credits for a single credit paid. In the above example, the player may have two plays/pulls for a single credit paid or alternatively, play two credits on a single play/pull. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the player may two plays/pulls for a single credit paid. In this embodiment, the game information displays  19  may show the number of credits and also how many pulls per credit. For example, if the slot machine is a $1.00 slot machine, for each dollar paid, the processor  38  may provide 2 or more pulls. In this embodiment, the player is not given additional credits. Each player is given one credit per the designated payment, one credit for each dollar paid in the present example. However, each player is given multiple pulls per credit regardless if the first and or previous pull was a winning combination. In this embodiment, one of the game information displays  19  may show the total amount of credits, the current number of pulls for the current credit being played, and the like. For example, the game information displays  19  may show that the player is on the 2 nd  of 3 pulls for the credit being played. 
     It should be noted, that while the above embodiments may allow a player to receive multiple credits for each paid credit and or multiple plays/pulls for a single credit paid, the slot machine  10  may be programmed to keep the same and or similar payout schedule as current slot machines. Hence, while the above embodiments may appear to give players better odds at obtaining a payout, the slot machine  10  may be programmed to give the same and or similar payout schedule as present slot machine. 
     While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Technology Category: g