US 8,075,390 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for setting game parameters

AssigneeIgt

InventorsJay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Victor M. Garcia, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Steven M. Santisi

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Abstract

The present invention allows gaming devices to set or modify game parameters through the use of random events such as spinning slot machine reels or random number generators. In some embodiments, game parameters may be established with various initial values, and then, by spinning the gaming devices' reels, for example, random reel values lining up on the payline may be used as new game parameter values. Parameter values may be used to control or initialize almost any aspect of the gaming device play experience, ranging from the types of symbols seen on the reels, to the appearance or behavior of game characters, to the rate at which “complementary” points are awarded.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A gaming device comprising:

a processor;
an input device;
a display device;
and
a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the input device and the display device to, for each play of a game and prior to any random determinations associated with a play of the game:
determine a game parameter,
determine a range of different values associated with the game parameter,
display at least one symbol on at least one reel of a plurality of reels, each symbol representing a value within the determined range of values associated with the game parameter,
randomly select at least one of the displayed symbols,
set an actual value of the game parameter based on the at least one randomly selected symbol, and
after setting the actual value of the game parameter:
(a) determine an outcome, said outcome being determined:
(i) at least in part based on at least one random determination which occurs after the actual value of the game parameter is set, and
(ii) at least in part based on the set actual value of the game parameter,
(b) display said determined outcome,
(c) thereafter, determine any award associated with the determined outcome, and
(d) display to a player any determined award associated with the determined outcome.

14 more elements

A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

for each play of a game and prior to any random determinations associated with a play of the game
(a) causing a processor to execute a plurality of instructions to determine a game parameter,
(b) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a range of different values associated with the game parameter,
(c) causing a display device to display at least one symbol on at least one reel of a plurality of reels, each symbol representing a value within the determined range of values associated with the game parameter,
(d) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly select at least one of the displayed symbols,
(e) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to set an actual value of the game parameter based on the at least one randomly selected symbol, and
(f) after setting the actual value of the game parameter:
(i) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine an outcome, said outcome being determined:
(A) at least in part based on at least one random determination which occurs after the actual value of the game parameter is set, and
(B) at least in part based on the set actual value of the game parameter,
(ii) causing the display device to display said determined outcome,
(iii) thereafter, causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine any award associated with the determined outcome, and
(iv) causing the display device to display to a player any determined award associated with the determined outcome.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/556,399Filed 3 Nov 2006 · division
Priority: 21 Feb 2003
Published: US 2007/0111778 A117 May 2007
Granted: 13 Dec 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

G07F 17/323
Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users: wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds,…
G07F 17/32
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
G07F
Coin-freed or like apparatus

Family

Application60/449,270Us provisional application · filed 21 Feb 2003
Application10/784,845Parent of this division · filed 23 Feb 2004
US 2007/0111778 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 May 2007
US 7,427,233 B2Parent of this division
US 2004/0166918 A1Published application
US 8,075,390 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.