# US 2013/0281179 A1 · Gaming apparatus and method having a separate but simultaneously operating bonus indicator

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- Number: US 2013/0281179 A1
- Document ID: US20130281179A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/851,685
- Filed: 2013-03-27
- Published: 2013-10-24
- Earliest claimed: 2003-09-12
- Assignees: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
- Applicants: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
- Inventors: Kim Tempest; Jon McNair Leupp; Charles D. Lombino; Marion C. Biron
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130281179A1

## CPC

- G07F 17/34: depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines
- G07F 17/3267: {Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games}
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})

## Abstract

A gaming machine and method comprising a primary game with a plurality of gaming symbols and a separate bonus indicator. Operation of the bonus indicator is automatically initiated upon commencement of the primary game and play of the bonus indicator is of approximately the same duration as play of the primary game. The outcome of the bonus indicator may be entirely independent of the outcome of the primary game. A positive outcome on the bonus indicator may yield either a prize for the player or an opportunity to play a bonus round game. In its preferred embodiment, the invention includes a five-reel slot game as the primary game and a single-reel slot game as the bonus indicator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for playing a gaming machine via a controller, the method comprising:
playing via the controller a primary game having a set of symbols;
receiving via the controller a wager in the form of credits;
in response to receiving wagered credit, 1) generating via the controller an outcome from the set of symbols, and 2) automatically enabling and initiating via the controller a separate bonus indicator having a different set of symbols, said bonus indicator to operate simultaneously with and be non-identical to said primary game, to be of approximately the same duration as said primary game; and
indicating via the controller and independent of said outcome of the primary game, a predetermined outcome whether a player is entitled to a bonus feature to said primary game.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said bonus feature provides the player with the opportunity to win a prize, promotional item or message from a casino.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said primary game contains a plurality of reels, each of which is capable of displaying symbols and wherein said primary game is won when a predetermined combination of symbols is achieved.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said bonus indicator is a roulette type wheel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said bonus indicator is one or more reels.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said primary game contains a plurality of reels, each of which is capable of displaying symbols, wherein said primary game is won when a predetermined combination of symbols is achieved, and wherein said bonus indicator is a roulette type wheel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said primary game contains a plurality of reels, each of which is capable of displaying symbols, wherein said primary game is won when a predetermined combination of symbols is achieved, and wherein said bonus indicator is one or more reels.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said gaming machine is connected to an overall casino management system which monitors and controls said gaming machine.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said gaming machine is linked to one or more other gaming machines to create a bank of hyperlinked gaming machines.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said bonus indicator is used to show participation in a tournament played across a linked group of gaming machines.