IP Library Granted Patent US 7,997,975
Granted Patent B2
US 7,997,975 · App. 11/808,257 · Granted Aug 16, 2011

Slot machine

Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,997,975
App. No.
11/808,257
Granted
Aug 16, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A slot machine includes a symbol displaying device, a start switch, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to implement a process including: (a) controlling the symbol displaying device; (b) determining whether or not symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device is entitled to a bonus game; (c) controlling a transition from a basic game to the bonus game if the controller determines that the symbols are entitled to the bonus game; (d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; and (e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second bonus game items with a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel. The controller controls the payout given to the player according to the bonus game item selected in the lottery.

Claims (30)

1. A slot machine comprising:

a symbol displaying device for displaying a plurality of symbols;

a start switch for receiving an instruction for starting a basic game given by a player;

a display for displaying an image of a character and a plurality of images of selectable elements; and

a controller configured to implement a process comprising:

(a) controlling the symbol displaying device;

(b) determining whether or not the symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device are entitled to a bonus game;

(c) controlling a transition from a basic game to the bonus game if the controller determines that the symbols are entitled to the bonus game;

(d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; and

(e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second bonus game items with a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel, wherein

the controller controls the display to display an image of one of the first and second bonus game items, and controls one of first and second payouts in accordance with the outcome of the lottery.

2. A slot machine according to claim 1 , wherein

the second payout is smaller than the first payout,

the controller controls the display to display an image indicating a capacity of the character in a predetermined dynamic fashion in accordance with the number of the second payout provided to the player, and

the controller terminates the bonus game in accordance with the number of the second payout, and controls a transition from the bonus game to a basic game.

3. A slot machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller independently executes the process (a) for one column of the symbol displaying device.

4. A slot machine according to claim 1 , wherein the start switch receives the instruction for starting a basic game for each game.

5. A slot machine according to claim 1 , wherein the symbol displaying device includes mechanical reels.

6. A slot machine according to claim 1 , wherein the symbol displaying device includes electrically simulated reels.

7. A method for controlling a slot machine comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a signal indicative of an instruction for starting a basic game given by a player;

(b) displaying a plurality of symbols used for the basic game dynamically;

(c) terminating the step (b) and displaying the symbols statically;

(d) determining whether or not the symbols statically displayed is entitled to a bonus game;

(e) controlling a transition from a basic game to the bonus game if the step (d) determines that the symbols are entitled to the bonus game;

(f) displaying an image of a character and a plurality of images of selectable elements;

(g) controlling a display of the slot machine to operate as a touch panel;

(h) executing a lottery to select one of first and second bonus game items with a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel;

(i) controlling the display to display an image indicating one of the first and second bonus game items in accordance with the outcome of the lottery executed in the step (h); and

(j) providing one of first and second payouts to the player in accordance with the outcome of the lottery executed in the step (h).

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 1, 2011
From: ARUZE KABUSHIKI KAISHA (ARUZE CORP)
To: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026539/0598 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2007
From: KOJIMA, SAKIKO
To: ARUZE CORP.
Reel/Frame 019808/0047 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2006-162186 · Jun 12, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080045316A1 · Feb 21, 2008