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US 6,984,173 B1Granted
Slot machine using a count valve to award bonus game
AssigneeMultimedia Games, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Piechowiak, Curtis J. Crawford
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AssigneeMultimedia Games, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Piechowiak, Curtis J. Crawford
Estimating the term…
The invention relates to a bonus feature in a slot machine. This bonus feature may be used in stand-alone slot machines as well as linked slot machines. The preferred embodiment is directed to a system of linked gaming machines. In one embodiment, each linked gaming machines operates like a conventional machine where the generation and display of certain combinations of symbols within a first group of combinations provide awards to the individual players whose machines generate such combinations. In addition to this normal mode of play, a bonus feature is added where the generation and display of combinations of symbols within a second group of combinations are used in the awarding of a bonus. In such a feature, the generation of a combination of symbols within the second group of combinations is used in a bonus award game. The display on each machine may be a video display that displays the main game as well as the bonus game. Since both games can be run using the same electrical circuitry (e.g., memory and a processor), no additional hardware is needed. A single machine, as opposed to linked machines, may incorporate all elements to play the main game and the bonus game. This is equivalent to a single machine in a linked system being operated.
A gaming method, comprising the steps of:
A method for playing a gaming apparatus, comprising the steps of;
A networked gaming system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.