IP Library Granted Patent US 8,251,799
Granted Patent B2
US 8,251,799 · App. 13/315,207 · Granted Aug 28, 2012

Gaming machine and method having a perceived skill component

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,251,799
App. No.
13/315,207
Granted
Aug 28, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are a gaming machine and method including a perceived skill component comprising a skill-based award and a supplemental award that, when summed, are equal in value to a predetermined award.

Claims (33)

1. A gaming machine including a non-transitory memory device and a processor, the gaming machine comprising:

an interface activatable by a player using one or more input devices of the gaming machine;

a first game stored in the non-transitory memory device and controlled by the processor comprising a first set of outcomes, at least one of the first set of outcomes determined for use in the first game after activation of the interface by the player;

a second game stored in the non-transitory memory device and controlled by the processor comprising a second set of outcomes, at least one of the second set of outcomes determined for use in the second game upon activation in response to a triggering event associated with the first game and;

a second game award stored in the non-transitory memory device corresponding to the determined at least one of the second set of outcomes, the second game award comprising a skill award and a supplemental award, the skill award determined by the skill of the player in playing the second game using the interface, and the total of the skill award and the supplemental award equaling the second game award;

wherein the second game award is always greater than the skill award for every play of the second game; and

wherein the supplemental award comprises one or more hidden points randomly assigned to each of a plurality of objects collected by the player at least in part due to skillful play of the second game, such that after completion of play of the second game, the one or more assigned hidden points for each object are individually revealed to the player until the entire supplemental award has been revealed.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined first game outcome.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a wager input mechanism operatively coupled to the processor, wherein play of the second game is restricted by the amount of a wager placed through the wager input mechanism.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the interface allows player interaction with the second game following the occurrence of the triggering event.

5. A gaming machine including a non-transitory memory device and a processor, the gaming device comprising:

an interface activatable by a player using one or more input devices of the gaming machine;

a set of game outcomes stored in the non-transitory memory device, at least one of the outcomes determined for use in a game by the processor after activation of the interface by the player; and

a predetermined game award stored in the non-transitory memory device associated with the at least one outcome, the predetermined game award comprising a skill award and a supplemental award, the skill award determined by the skill of a player in playing the game using the interface, and the total of the skill award and the supplemental award equaling the predetermined game award;

wherein the predetermined game award is always greater than the skill award for every play of the game; and

wherein the supplemental award comprises one or more hidden points randomly assigned to each of a plurality of objects collected by the player at least in part due to skillful play of the game, such that after completion of play of the game, the one or more assigned hidden points for each object are individually revealed to the player until the entire supplemental award has been revealed.

6. The gaming machine of claim 5 further comprising a wager input mechanism operatively coupled to the processor, wherein play of the game is restricted by the amount of a wager placed through the wager input mechanism.

7. A method of operating a gaming machine having a memory device and a processor, the gaming machine comprising a first game and a second game, the method comprising:

the processor configured to perform the steps of:

accepting a wager from a player; initiating play of the first game according to the wager;

upon a triggering event associated with the first game, initiating play of the second game;

determining a second game award, wherein the second game award is always greater than a skill award for every play of the second game;

determining the skill award based on the skill of the player in playing the second game;

determining a supplemental award by subtracting the amount of the skill award from the determined second game award; and

awarding both the skill award and the supplemental award to the player; wherein the supplemental award comprises one or more hidden points randomly assigned to each of a plurality of objects collected by the player at least in part due to skillful play of the second game, such that after completion of play of the second game, the one or more assigned hidden points for each object are individually revealed to the player until the entire supplemental award has been revealed.

8. A method of operating a gaming machine having a memory device and a processor, the method comprising:

the processor configured to perform the steps of:

accepting a wager from a player;

initiating play of a game according to the wager;

determining a game award, wherein the game award is always greater than a skill award for every play of the game;

determining the skill award based on the skill of the player in playing the game;

determining a supplemental award by subtracting the amount of the skill award from the determined game award; and

awarding both the skill award and the supplemental award to the player; wherein the supplemental award comprises one or more hidden points randomly assigned to each of a plurality of objects collected by the player at least in part due to skillful play of the game, such that after completion of play of the game, the one or more assigned hidden points for each object are individually revealed to the player until the entire supplemental award has been revealed.

Assignments (9)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2025
From: LNW GAMING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071340/0404 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: SG GAMING, INC.
To: LNW GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 062669/0341 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2022
From: SG GAMING INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059793/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 19, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051642/0514 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT, INC; ARCADE PLANET, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC; BALLY GAMING INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
Reel/Frame 034501/0049 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2014
From: ROMMERDAHL, BILL; CARDIN, THOMAS F., JR.; SENGIR, JOE
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 033055/0375 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2013
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031745/0001 →