IP Library Granted Patent US 6,997,805
Granted Patent B2
US 6,997,805 · App. 10/922,195 · Granted Feb 14, 2006

Multi-reel, multi-line bonus game for a casino base game having game features and method therefor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,997,805
App. No.
10/922,195
Granted
Feb 14, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for operating two different bonus games in a casino game machine. The first bonus game is played when a first predetermined orientation of the bonus symbols occurs on a pay line. The bonus game has a meter and a path to a goal wherein the path has a number of stopping points. The player advances based on player input from stopping point to stopping point along the path to the goal until either the meter reaches a predetermined value that ends the bonus game or until the goal is reached. The second bonus game is played when a second predetermined orientation of the bonus symbols occurs. The operation of the casino game is further affected by providing a graphic image in the video display of the reels to affect the play outcome. A game ticket version is also shown.

Claims (41)

1. A method for operating two bonus games in a casino game machine having a multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game, said method comprising:

providing a set of bonus symbols in the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game,

playing a first bonus game when a first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occur on a wagered pay line during play outcome in the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game;

playing a second bonus game when a second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occur on a wagered pay line during play outcome in the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game;

the playing of the first and second bonus games occurring under control of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino game machine;

awarding awards based on play outcome for the first and second bonus games.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein playing the first bonus game occurs when the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs on the wagered pay line of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game on reels from left to right.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein playing the second bonus game occurs when the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs on the wagered pay line of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game on reels from right to left.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first bonus game is played in succession with another first bonus game when the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs in another wagered pay line in the play outcome of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein all first bonus games are played as one bonus game with the awards adjusted to increase when the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occur on more than one wagered pay line in the play outcome of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein each first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurring on a wagered pay line in the play outcome causes the award to increase by a multiple value based on the number of wagered pay lines the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols occurs in.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the second bonus game is played in succession with another second bonus game when the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs in another wagered pay line in the play of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein all second bonus games are played as one bonus game with the awards adjusted to increase when the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs on more than one wagered pay line in the play outcome of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein each second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurring in the play outcome causes the award to increase by a multiple value based on the number of wagered pay lines the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols occurs in.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the bonus symbols are all alike.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first bonus game comprises:

providing a meter;

providing a path to a goal, the path having a number of stopping points;

providing an input choice to a player at each stopping point;

adjusting the meter when the player inputs a choice that changes a value in the meter;

allowing the player to advance from stopping point to stopping point along the path to the goal until (1) the meter reaches a predetermined value that ends the bonus game or (2) until the goal is reached.

12. A method for operating two bonus games in a casino game machine having a multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game, said method comprising:

providing a set of bonus symbols in the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game,

playing a first bonus game when a first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occur on a wagered pay line during play outcome in the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game; wherein said first bonus game further comprises:

a) displaying a meter on a display in the first bonus game;

b) displaying a path to a goal on the display, the path having a number of stopping points;

c) providing an input choice to a player at each stopping point;

d) adjusting the meter when the player inputs a choice that changes a value in the meter;

e) allowing the player to advance from stopping point to stopping point along the path to the goal until the meter reaches a predetermined value that ends the bonus game or until the goal is reached;

playing a second bonus game when a second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occur on a wagered pay line during play outcome in the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game;

the playing of the first and second bonus games occurring under control of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino game machine;

awarding awards based on play outcome for the first and second bonus games.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein playing the first bonus game occurs when the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs on the wagered pay line of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game on reels from left to right.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein playing the second bonus game occurs when the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs on the wagered pay line of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game on reels from right to left.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the first bonus game is played in succession with another first bonus game when the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs in another wagered pay line in the play outcome of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein all first bonus games are played as one bonus game with the awards adjusted to increase when the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occur on more than one wagered pay line in the play outcome of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein each first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurring on a wagered pay line in the play outcome causes the award to increase by a multiple value based on the number of wagered pay lines the first predetermined orientation of bonus symbols occurs in.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the second bonus game is played in succession with another second bonus game when the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs in another wagered pay line in the play of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein all second bonus games are played as one bonus game with the awards adjusted to increase when the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurs on more than one wagered pay line in the play outcome of the multi-reel, multi-pay line casino base game.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein each second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols in the set occurring in the play outcome causes the award to increase by a multiple value based on the number of wagered pay lines the second predetermined orientation of bonus symbols occurs in.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the bonus symbols are all alike.

Assignments (8)
FORECLOSURE OF SECURED PARTY'S SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2009
From: PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: PRIVATE EQUITY MANAGEMENT GROUP FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022449/0419 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2009
From: PRIVATE EQUITY MANAGEMENT GROUP FINANCIAL CORPORATION
To: IGT
Reel/Frame 022228/0140 →
MERGER Recorded Feb 9, 2009
From: MIKOHN GAMING CORPORATION
To: PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022228/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 18, 2008
From: PGIC NV; MGC, INC.; PROGRESSIVE GAMES, INC.; GAMES OF NEVADA, INC.; VIKING MERGER SUBSIDIARY, LLC; PRIMELINE GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; MIKOHN INTERNATIONAL, INC.; MIKOHN HOLDINGS, INC.; ENDX, INC. (USA); PGI (MACAO) LTD.; PGIC HOLDINGS, LIMITED; PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL (GROUP) LTD.; PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL (UK) LTD.
To: INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 021398/0485 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 15, 2008
From: PGIC NV; MGC, INC.; PROGRESSIVE GAMES, INC.; GAMES OF NEVADA, INC.; VIKING MERGER SUBSIDIARY, LLC; PRIMELINE GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; MIKOHN INTERNATIONAL, INC.; MIKOHN HOLDINGS, INC.; ENDX, INC. (USA); PGI (MACAO) LIMITED; PGIC HOLDINGS, LIMITED; PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL (GROUP) LTD.; PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL (UK) LTD.
To: PRIVATE EQUITY MANAGEMENT GROUP FINANCIAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 021398/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2008
From: ABLECO FINANCE LLC
To: PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; MIKOHN NEVADA; MGC, INC.; PROGRESSIVE GAMES, INC.; MIKOHN INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VIKING MERGER SUBSIDIARY, LLC; PRIMELINE GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GAMES OF NEVADA, INC.
Reel/Frame 021266/0403 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 24, 2006
From: PROGRESSIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; MIKOHN NEVADA; MGC, INC.; PROGRESSIVE GAMES, INC.; MIKOHN INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VIKING MERGER SUBSIDIARY, LLC; PRIMELINE GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GAMES OF NEVADA, INC.
To: ABLECO FINANCE LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 017663/0288 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2004
From: VANCURA, OLAF
To: MIKOHN GAMING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015710/0918 →