# US 8,784,182 B2 · Slot machine and playing method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,182 B2 - Document ID: US8784182B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/184,803 - Filed: 2011-07-18 - Published: 2011-11-03 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-08-18 - Assignees: Aruze Gaming America, Inc. - Applicants: Kazuo Okada - Inventors: Kazuo Okada - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784182B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3262: {Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played} - G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements - 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 17/34: depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines - G07F 17/3209: {Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen} - G07F 17/3213: {Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members} - G07F 17/3269: {Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine} - 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 part of credits paid by the player is accumulated when a plurality of symbols are displayed by a scrolling display and then rearranged in a prescribed combination, and a stop switch is set active only in a case where a predetermined combination is determined. When a plurality of symbols are rearranged in a combination of jackpot symbols in relation to a timing of an input by a player, a payout of the accumulated credits is made. Consequently, the reels can be stopped by an operation of the player himself, and in a case where a combination of the stopped symbols is a combination associated with a payout, a payout can be received as a reward, so that the player's interest to the game can be increased. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A slot machine, comprising: a display device configured to present a plurality of symbols with the symbols arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; a controller that controls gaming operation of the gaming machine; and a selectively active stop control button; wherein the controller is configured to control the presentation of the symbols such that the symbols in each of the rows or in each of the columns move or simulate moving in a scrolling manner or otherwise change; wherein during the execution of base games, the stop control button is inactive and the controller is configured to control stoppage of the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the symbols solely in accordance with a controller-implemented process that determines the outcome of a given base game; wherein during the execution of stop control games, the stop control button is active to permit a player to effect stoppage of the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the symbols so as to determine an outcome of a given stop control game; wherein the controller is configured to control gaming operation of the gaming machine such that whether a stop control game is executed depends on the outcome of at least one base game; and wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that the symbols stop their movement or simulated movement or other changing during execution of a stop control game without player input and always in a non-winning arrangement if the player does not operate the stop control button within a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the symbols begins automatically when a given stop control game is executed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the symbols during execution of a stop control game requires a player action in order to begin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that a payout table that is applicable during execution of a stop control game is different from a payout table that is applicable during execution of a base game. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that during the execution of stop control games, the player is able to effect stoppage of the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the symbols in multiple rows or columns. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The slot machine of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that after the player has caused a first row or column of symbols to stop their movement or simulated movement or other changing, all other rows or columns of symbols except for one last row or column automatically stop their movement or simulated movement or other changing, and the player causes said one last row or column to stop its movement or simulated movement or other changing by operating the stop control button. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein a bonus game is a possible outcome of a base game, said bonus game being a game that is potentially more advantageous to the player than a base game is. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein higher payouts are possible during stop control games than in base games. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that a triggering event must be achieved during play of a base game before a stop control game can be executed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the triggering event comprises a predefined outcome of a base game. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The slot machine of claim 10, wherein the predefined outcome of a base game comprises a predefined combination of symbols appearing statically on a pay line. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The slot machine of claim 9, further comprising a secondary display device configured to present a secondary plurality of symbols; wherein the controller is configured to control the presentation of the secondary symbols such that upon occurrence of the triggering event, the secondary symbols move or simulate moving in a scrolling manner or otherwise change; wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that upon occurrence of the triggering event, the stop control button becomes active to permit the player to effect stoppage of the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the secondary symbols; and wherein the controller is configured to control the gaming operation of the gaming machine such that a predefined result must be achieved upon stopping the movement or simulated movement or other changing of the secondary symbols in order for a stop control game to be executed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control gaming operation of the gaming machine such that an indication is provided when the stop control button is active. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The slot machine of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control gaming operation of the gaming machine such that the stop control button is illuminated when it becomes active. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The slot machine of claim 13, further comprising one or more video graphic display panels, wherein the controller is configured to control gaming operation of the gaming machine such when the stop control button is active, an indicator is displayed on said one or more video graphic display panels indicating that the stop control button is active. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein said stop control games are free games that do not require a gaming amount to be bet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of symbols are presented videographically. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of symbols are presented on a plurality of reels. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the stop control button is a mechanical button. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the stop control button is displayed video graphically on a touch-sensitive screen. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control gaming operation of the gaming machine such that multiple paylines can be activated.