US20080300037A1 - Gaming machine having combinable paylines - Google Patents

Abstract

A slot style gaming machine includes a variety of features which make the game played thereon more attractive to potential game players. The machine includes a video display screen for viewing a computer generated game. A value-adding symbol may randomly appear on the screen to activate a pay-related event, such as creation of a pay line, combining of two or more pay lines to increase the award value, a wager increase option, a win pattern change, progressive play and so forth. Symbols and display blocks among other elements also move in distinctive ways on the screen. Rings which include the display blocks may be displayed on the screen and may rotate and flip. The symbols and display blocks may move along an arcuate path along the rings and undergo a shuffling process. Symbol blocks may separate from one another and pay lines may move on the screen.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field
• The invention relates generally to gaming machines. More particularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine of the type generally known as a slot machine. Specifically, the invention relates to a slot-style gaming machine having combinable paylines and various other novel features.
• 2. Background Information
• Gaming machines come in a wide variety, including the category generally known as slot machines. Slot machines or slot-style gaming machines typically include physical reels which spin or electronically created reels which are displayable on a video screen and appear to spin vertically. The electronically created reels which appear on a video screen are controlled by a computer program which makes it appear that a reel is spinning and the player of the game is viewing a portion of the outer circumference of a physical reel. A typical slot machine includes three reels each having a plurality of symbols thereon which align with the symbols in the other reels when the reels are stopped to form rows or lines. It is well known in the art that paylines are formed of like symbols and of one of said like symbols in each reel aligned across all of the reels. The most common paylines extend straight horizontally across the screen although this may vary.
• Especially in light of today's relatively advanced computerized games, there is a need in the art to provide slot-style gaming machines which have a greater attraction factor for those more well-versed in modern video games. Thus, features on the video screen which are more engaging will be valuable in attracting such players and keeping them interested in the game. Amongst such features are alternate ways of creating winning paylines. The present invention addresses this and other concerns in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An apparatus comprising: a video display screen; a game playable via display on the screen; a wager mechanism for making a wager on the game; a game play starter control for selectively initiating play of the game; a first pay line displayable on the screen; at least one value-adding symbol randomly displayable on the screen; and a pay-related event activatable in response to appearance of the value-adding symbol on the screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the gaming machine of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the video screen with the game displayed thereon in the jackpot configuration.
• FIG. 3 is similar toFIG. 2 and shows each of the paylines highlighted by the perimeter accents.
• FIG. 4 is similar toFIG. 3 and shows each of the rings in an initial stage of shuffling.
• FIG. 5 is similar toFIG. 4 and shows the rings in a subsequent stage of shuffling.
• FIG. 6 is similar toFIG. 5 and shows the rings with symbols in the reshuffled position.
• FIG. 7 is similar toFIG. 6 and shows the spinning of the rings.
• FIG. 8 is similar toFIG. 7 and shows the rings after they have stopped spinning with three winning paylines highlighted by the perimeter accents and moved radially outwardly.
• FIG. 9 is similar to the previous Figs. and represents a new play of the game in which the accents are shown spiraling in to highlight two winning paylines and the scarab combining symbol having moved to the center of the rings to combine the two winning paylines and to effect a bonus round.
• FIG. 10 is similar toFIG. 9 and shows all of the symbol blocks and associated symbols moving radially outwardly and the columns moving laterally off the screen.
• FIG. 11 is similar toFIG. 10 and shows the symbols at a further stage of moving off the screen with the ring frame moving downwardly off the screen and the appearance of three pyramids on the screen.
• FIG. 12 is similar toFIG. 11 and shows all of the visuals from the main game removed from the screen with the three pyramids and a caption associated with the bonus round.
• FIG. 13 shows the ring frame, columns and symbol blocks and symbols moving back onto the screen.
• FIG. 14 shows the scarab combining symbol having moved to the center block to effect a jackpot scenario with all the paylines in a winning configuration and the rings beginning to spin.
• FIG. 15 is similar toFIG. 14 and shows the rings in an initial stage of flipping while continuing to spin.
• FIG. 16 is similar toFIG. 15 and shows a subsequent stage of the rings flipping while continuing to spin.
• FIG. 17 shows the rings having stopped spinning and flipping in the jackpot configuration with each of the paylines moved radially outwardly a short distance.
• FIG. 18 is similar toFIG. 17 and shows several paylines having moved radially inwardly to their home positions and highlighted by respective perimeter accents while a perimeter accent spirals inwardly and moves toward a position of highlighting another payline while the remaining paylines are still disposed radially outwardly from their home positions.
• FIG. 19 shows all of the paylines in their home positions and highlighted by perimeter accents.
• FIG. 20 shows one configuration of the rings with four non-contiguous blocks of the middle ring highlighted by perimeter accents wherein each of the highlighted blocks contains dissimilar symbols to illustrate a distinctive payline or an activator set of symbols.
• FIG. 21 is similar toFIG. 20 and shows a different configuration of the rings in which three contiguous symbol blocks in the inner ring are highlighted by perimeter accents wherein each highlighted block contains a like symbol to illustrate another distinctive payline or activator set of symbols.
• FIG. 22 is similar toFIG. 21 and shows another configuration of the rings in which one of the symbol blocks in each of the inner, middle and outer rings is highlighted by a perimeter accent wherein the highlighted blocks are contiguous and the symbols therein are like symbols which are distinct from the other symbols used in formation of the standard paylines, thus illustrating another distinctive payline or activator set of symbols.
• Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The gaming machine of the present invention is indicated generally at10 inFIG. 1.Gaming machine10 is a slot machine or a slot-style machine comprising aframe12 with avideo display screen14 mounted thereon for displaying various images, symbols and alpha-numeric characters.Machine10 includes an internal computer or central processing unit (CPU) mounted withinframe12 for running a computer program which is programmed to operate the game of the present invention to be played onmachine10. A coin head orslot16 may be mounted onframe12 for inputting coins which may be used for directly making a wager or for crediting an amount with which wagers may be made. Similarly, a bill slot or credit slot, each of which is indicated generally at18, may be mounted onframe12 for the same purpose. A coin tray20 may be mounted onframe12 to receive a payout of coins although other payout mechanisms may be utilized. For example, a payout may be tracked by the computer and displayed onscreen14 and may be paid out, for instance, at any location within a casino which housesmachine10. Remote play of the game is also contemplated so that additional components associated with such play is within the scope of the invention.
• A bet up/down button22A or a similar mechanism is mounted onframe12 to allow the player to increase or decrease the amount of bet or wager on the game. Aplay button24A or the like serves as a game play starter control and may be pressed or otherwise operated by the player to play the game after a wager has been made. Apay table button26A may be used to display the pay table onscreen14. A touch sensitive screen may also be used to create such buttons onscreen14.
• For example,FIG. 2 shows an alternate touch sensitive bet up/downtouch area22B, a game playtouch area24B and a pay tabledisplay touch area26B.Areas22B and24B are shown on aright column28 whiletouch area26B is shown on aleft column30. Aring frame32 is positioned betweencolumns28 and30. Also located onright column28 are a lineselect touch area34, ahelp touch area36 and an exitgame touch area38. Onleft column30 areinformation blocks40A and40B used for the display of alphabetical and numerical information. For instance,block40A may be used to display the amount bet and amount paid.Block40B may be used to indicate the number of paylines selected by the use of lineselect touch area34, the number of bets or games that have been played, the amount of credit available, the amount of a jackpot win and so forth.Ring frame32 includes atitle block42 in which the title of the game may be displayed and anadditional information block44 which may display the amount won or any various information as desired.
• Ring frame32 (FIG. 2) has a circularinner perimeter46 which defines acircular opening48 which is shown substantially covered or closed inFIG. 2 by a combination of acenter block50, aninner ring52, an intermediate ormiddle ring54 and anouter ring56. These annular rings are substantially circular and concentric about the center ofblock50 or a point onblock50 and arranged so thatinner ring52 circumscribesblock50,middle ring54 circumscribesring52 andouter ring56 circumscribesmiddle ring54.
• Inner ring52 includes twelve symbol display locations orinner blocks58. Likewise,middle ring54 includes twelve display locations ormiddle blocks60 andouter ring56 includes twelve display locations orouter blocks62.Inner ring52 abuts and is separated frominner block50 by a generally circular perimeter orboundary line64. Similarly,middle ring54 abuts and is separated frominner ring52 by a circular middle perimeter orboundary line66, andouter ring56 abuts and is separated frommiddle ring54 by a circular outer perimeter orboundary line68. In general, each of theblocks50,58,60 and62 have edges that appear to be beveled. Thus, the boundary lines noted above are at the abutment of various beveled edges of these blocks.Outer ring56 has a circularouter perimeter69.
• The three rings52,54 and56 form twelvepaylines70 each formed by the alignment of oneinner block58, onemiddle block60 and oneouter block62, the middle block of each payline being in a contiguous relationship with the inner and center blocks of that payline.Rings52,54 and56 thus serve as specialized reels which provide for the formation of unique paylines and other unique characteristics. Each pair ofadjacent paylines70 abuts and is separated from one another by aradial boundary line72 which extends radially outwardly fromblock50 on a straight radius. Each adjacent pair oflines72 defines therebetween an acute angle of 30 degrees. While this angle may vary depending on the number of paylines, the angle will typically be an acute angle less than 90 degrees. Each payline is generally V-shaped or U-shaped and has an outer perimeter defined by a pair of adjacentradial boundary lines72, anarc74 ofouter perimeter69 extending between the two adjacentradial boundary lines72 and asegment76 ofinner boundary line64 which extends between the two adjacent radial boundary lines72. Thus, eachouter block62 is generally arc-shaped and has an outer perimeter formed by a respective pair ofsegments78 oflines72, one ofarcs74 extending therebetween and anarc80 ofboundary line68 extending between the adjacent pair oflines72. Eachmiddle block60 has a shape similar toouter block62 except that it is smaller. Eachinner block58 is also similarly shaped except that it is likewise smaller and its inner perimeter is bounded by one of the shallow V-shapedsegments76.
• FIG. 2 shows the game in a jackpot configuration in which all twelvepaylines70 are winning paylines. More particularly, eachpayline70 includes three like symbols in its respective symbol blocks58,60 and62.FIG. 2 shows twelve different symbol families each comprising three symbols which are substantially identical to one another except for their size. For example, one symbol family includessymbols82A,82B and82C which sequentially increase in size and are in the form of a wolf or dog's head. All of the symbol families follow this size pattern. More particularly, the remaining symbol families includesymbols83A-C in the form of a cat;symbols84A-C in the form of a snake such as a cobra;symbols85A-C in the form of a sword or dagger;symbols86A-C in the form of a bird's head;symbols87A-C in the form of a key;symbols88A-C in the form of a mummy's head;symbols89A-C in the form of an Egyptian king's head or the head of a sarcophagus;symbols90A-C in the form of a pyramid;symbols91A-C in the form of a stylized Egyptian queen's head;symbols92A-C in the form of a sarcophagus; andsymbols93A-C in the form of a scorpion.
• To operatemachine10, credit is obtained by inserting coins into slot16 (FIG. 1), inserting a bill or sliding a card viaslot18 or the like. The amount of the wager is selected using one of buttons ortouch areas22. The number of paylines is selected usingline selector34. Eachtime selector34 is touched or actuated, a payline indicator or highlighter appears in the form of aperimeter accent94.Accents94 are typically of a color which is different from the background color ofblocks58,60 and62. Eachperimeter accent94 is a generally V-shaped or U-shaped line which appears along the outer perimeter of a givenpayline70. More particularly, eachaccent94 includes a pair of radially extending lines96 (FIG. 3) and a shallow V-shapedsegment98 which is disposed adjacent and mimicssegment76 ofinner boundary line64 and the circumferentially extending portion of the outer perimeter of thepayline70 which is highlighted byaccent94. While any number of the paylines may be selected, theperimeter accents94 inFIG. 3 show that all of the paylines have been selected to increase the chances of a winning payline.
• Play of a game is begun by depressing or touching the play button or touch area24, which results in the shuffling ofblocks58,60 and62 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. More particularly,FIG. 4 shows an initial stage of the shuffling which occurs as all or some of the symbol blocks and symbols move along the circular path of the respective ring to revolve aboutcenter block50. The shuffling process presents a modified version of spinning the symbols and symbol blocks. Each ofrings52,54 and56 illustrate a different aspect of the shuffling process. Withininner ring52, alead block58A remains in place while the other symbols blocks58 move circumferentially along an arcuate or circular path as indicated at arrow A to slide over the symbol blocks in front of it to cover it partially. At the stage shown inFIG. 4, a trailing symbol block58B withsymbol82A thereon is fully visible, while the remaining symbol blocks58 are partially covered respectively by the various other symbol blocks58 and symbols thereon.
• With continued reference toFIG. 4, the symbol blocks60 and the associated symbols inmiddle ring54 likewise move circumferentially along an arcuate or circular path in a clockwise direction as indicated at arrow B. However, unlike the blocks ininner ring52, blocks60 slide under one another so that alead block60A remains completely visible while the trailingblock60B is partially hidden by the block in front of it and so forth. While the lead blocks58A and60A ofrespective rings52 and54 are shown in a stationary position, they may also move circumferentially along the circular path during the shuffling process. The movement ofblocks62 inouter ring56 show a somewhat different shuffling pattern. During the shuffling ofouter blocks62 and the associated symbols, the outer ring is broken into three arcs orsegments56A,56B and56C, theblocks62 of which move circumferentially in a clockwise direction on a circular path as indicated respectively at arrows C, D andE. Segment56A thus has aleading block62A and a trailingblock62B;segment56B has leadingblock62C and a trailingblock62D circumferentially spaced from leadingblock62A with no block or symbol therebetween; andsegment56C has aleading block62E and a trailingblock62F.Block62E is circumferentially spaced from trailingblock62B with no block or symbol therebetween, and blocks62F and62C are in an analogous relationship. Eachblock62 within a givensegment56A, B or C slides behind or underneath theblocks62 in front of it to be covered or hidden thereby.
• This shuffle process may be thought of as the opening and closing of three circular fans represented byrings52,54 and56 wherein the fans are in a fully open position inFIG. 3, are in partially open positions inFIG. 4 and moving toward a closed position which is represented in particular inFIG. 5 bymiddle ring52. More particularly, all ofblocks58 withinring52 have been shuffled under one another so that only trailingblock58B remains visible in the position originally held byblock58A inFIGS. 3 and 4.
• FIG. 5 further shows that theblocks60 ofmiddle ring54 have passed the fully closed position and have shuffled or fanned out from behindblock60A to a partially open fan position. Thus, various of theblocks60 and associated symbols have moved past other blocks60. It is noted thatblock60A at the stage shown inFIG. 4 is the leading block ofring54 while inFIG. 5block60A has become the trailing block as a new lead block60C and the remainingblocks60 have shuffled or fanned outwardly from underblock60A. It is further noted thatmiddle ring54 is not necessarily shown at a stage corresponding to that ofinner ring52 so that various stages may be shown in a single figure of the drawings.
• FIG. 5 also shows a further stage of shuffling or fanning of thesegments56A,56B and56C of the outer ring. More particularly,FIG. 5 shows that theblocks62 ofsegment56A have moved beyond the fully closed position and begun to emerge from behindblock62A, which was formerly the lead block ofsegment56A and has become the trailing block thereof.Block62C ofsegment56B inFIG. 5 represents the fully closed fan segment position with all of the associatedblocks62 having moved behindblock62C, which is thus the only block displayed insegment56B.Fan segment56C is shown in a partially open position which has not yet reached a fully closed position and withblock62F still partially shown from behindblock62E.
• FIG. 6 shows each of the rings in the fully fanned position subsequent to the shuffling process, which changed the order of the symbols within the respective rings. At this stage, none ofpaylines70 is a winning payline. However, the movement ofrings52,54 and56 has not been completed at the stage shown inFIG. 6. Nonetheless,FIG. 6 does show three symbol families which will become winning paylines inFIG. 8. More particularly,FIG. 6 points out the symbolfamily including symbols83A-C, the symbolfamily including symbols89A-C and the symbolfamily including symbols90A-C.FIG. 7 shows the next stage of the game in which inner andouter rings52 and56 spin or rotate clockwise as shown respectively at arrows F and G whilemiddle ring54 spins or rotates counterclockwise as shown at arrow H. Each of the rings, symbol blocks and symbols thus revolves aroundcenter block50, moving along the inner and outer perimeters of the respective rings. The spinning and shuffling processes illustrate that unlike a standard computerized slot game in which the reels and symbols thereon move in a straight line, the symbols, symbol blocks and rings of the present invention move in a first direction on the screen and a second direction transverse thereto. This may occur even if the circular rings were replaced by another shape, typically a closed loop such as an oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon or other polygon. The revolving movement of the symbols and symbol blocks will work with an endless variety of shapes.
• When the spinning of the rings is completed, the symbols are positioned as shown inFIG. 8. In this case, threepaylines70 are shown as winning paylines as indicated by the attachment ofperimeter accents94 thereto and the movement of each winning payline radially outwardly a short distance from its home position as indicated at arrows J, which separates it from an adjacent pair ofpaylines70 andblock50. For each winning payline, a given award value is awarded to the player, for instance three times the bet amount. This amount may be paid out at coin tray20 (FIG. 1) or simply credited to the player's account, which may be displayed onscreen14 within information block40B for instance.
• In accordance with a feature of the invention and with reference toFIG. 9, a combining mechanism in the form of ascarab combining symbol100 is used to combine two or more paylines or to otherwise effect a win pattern change or pay-related event. To reach the stage illustrated inFIG. 9, the previously described steps are followed except for the appearance or display of winning paylines which are not combined, such as those shown inFIG. 8. Thus, once the spinning of the rings previously described with reference toFIG. 7 is completed, combiningsymbol100 is displayed onscreen14, moving from off the screen to a location in the center ofblock50 as indicated byarrow K. Block50 provides a display location forsymbol100 which is distinct or separate from the display locations for the symbols used in making up paylines. The combining of the two winningpaylines70 is indicated or highlighted by the spinning ofsymbol100 and block50 in a clockwise direction as shown at arrow L, by the attachment ofperimeter accents94 to the winning paylines and by the radially outward movement of the winning paylines as indicated at arrows M. The payline combining process is also accentuated or emphasized by the movement ofperimeter accents94 from respective unattached positions to their respective attached positions shown inFIG. 9. More particularly, one of the accents is indicated at94A and the other is indicated at94B, each of which spirals inwardly in a clockwise direction onto the screen as indicated by arrows N and the various representations of the perimeter accents in dot dash lines.
• The payline combining process caused by the appearance ofsymbol100 is a value adding step of the game. More particularly, while the appearance of the winningpaylines70 shown inFIG. 9 would ordinarily result in an award value which is the sum of the value of the two paylines, combiningsymbol100 causes the total value to increase to an amount greater than that sum. Thus, for example, combiningsymbol100 combines the two paylines in a manner which would result in an award value of ten times the bet amount.
• In addition, the appearance ofsymbol100 initiates a bonus round or bonus play. To reach the bonus screen and with reference toFIG. 10, the various symbol blocks58,60 and62 move radially outwardly as indicated at arrows P to change the distance between the various blocks to thus separate from one another whilecolumns28 and30 move laterally off of (or to the outermost edge onscreen14 respectively to the right and left as indicated at arrows Q and R. As the various symbol blocks move radially outwardly off ofscreen14 in a linear fashion, they uncover opening48 ofring frame32. As this movement occurs, block50 andsymbol100 continue to rotate clockwise as indicated at arrow L inFIG. 10.
• FIG. 11 shows thatcolumns28 and30 are completely removed fromscreen14, that the symbol blocks are in a further stage of moving off of the screen and thatring frame32 is moving downwardly as indicated at arrow S toward a position off of the screen. In addition,symbol100 moves upwardly as indicated at arrow T towards a position off the screen while it rotates counterclockwise as indicated atarrow U. Block50 moves laterally and downwardly as indicated at arrow V while it continues to rotate clockwise as indicated at arrow L.FIG. 11 also shows the appearance of threepyramids102A-C associated with the bonus play. Although not shown inFIG. 10, pyramids102 typically initially appear within opening48 as the symbol blocks are beginning to move radially outwardly and separating from one another.
• As shown inFIG. 12, acaption104 appears onscreen14 to direct the player of the game as to how to proceed.Caption104 in the exemplary embodiment states “Touch a pyramid to win your bonus”. Typically, the game includes additional bonus screens having different symbols which the player may touch or otherwise activate in order to win a bonus value.
• When the bonus play is over, the various visual elements of the main game begin to appear onscreen14 again as shown inFIG. 13. More particularly,columns28 and30 move laterally inwardly as indicated at arrows W,reel frame32 is moved vertically upward as indicated at arrow X and the various symbol blocks move radially inwardly in a sequential manner as indicated at arrows Y. At the stage shown inFIG. 13, all of the symbol blocks58 ofring52 have returned to their home positions while only four of the symbol blocks60 ofmiddle ring54 have returned to their home positions. As the symbol blocks return to their home positions in sequential order, block60D will be the next block to move to its home position, followed in sequential order byblocks60E,60F,60G and so forth until all theblocks60 return to their home positions. Likewise, blocks62 subsequently return sequentially withblock62G being the first to return to its home position followed byblock62H and so forth.
• A jackpot win is now described with reference toFIGS. 14-19. Game play begins in the standard fashion and proceeds with the shuffling steps previously described with reference toFIGS. 4-6. However, combiningsymbol100 appears on the screen so that instead of the various symbols appearing in a random fashion as shown inFIG. 6, the symbols appear on the various symbol blocks so that allpaylines70 are winning paylines as shown inFIG. 14.Symbol100 has been previously described as combining two or more paylines to create an added value. However,symbol100 may also be used to create paylines, such as one or both of those shown inFIG. 9, as well as all of the paylines as shown inFIG. 14.
• Oncesymbol100 has caused all the symbols to move into the jackpot configuration with all paylines in a winning configuration, each ofrings52,54 and56 begin to spin clockwise as indicated by arrows Z, A1 and B1 respectively. This rotation of the three rings and all the previous movements described herein have the appearance of occurring within the plane defined byscreen14. However, this changes as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. More particularly,inner ring52 andouter ring56 begin to flip about a horizontal axis X1 which lies in the plane ofscreen14 whilemiddle ring54 flips about a vertical axis Y1 which is also in the plane ofscreen14. More particularly,inner ring52 andouter ring56 flip about axis X1 in opposite directions. This is illustrated inFIG. 15 in that the top106 ofinner ring52 has moved rearwardly away from the viewer while the bottom108 has moved forward. In contrast, the top110 ofouter ring56 is moved forward while thebottom112 ofouter ring56 is moved rearwardly.
• As each of the rings are flipping as described, each ring continues to rotate as shown by arrows Z, A1 and B1 inFIG. 15. At this point, it is noted that rings52,54 and56 have respectivefront sides114,116 and118 which generally face the player of the game while having the appearance of being angled due to the initial stage of flipping the rings shown inFIG. 15. Likewise, the rings have respectiveback sides120,122 and124 which are shown inFIG. 16, which illustrates a later stage in the flipping of the rings which has exposed these back sides. The various symbols flip with the rings from the position inFIG. 15 in which we see the front of the symbols to the position inFIG. 16 in which we see the rear side of the symbols, which causes the symbols to appear in a reversed configuration. During the flipping process, the rings continue to rotate as indicated at arrows Z, A1 and B1 inFIG. 16, which appear to be opposite to the corresponding arrows inFIG. 15 but are so only due to the fact that the rings have flipped over. Thus, the winning of the jackpot is accentuated by the rotation of the rings and flipping of the rings.
• The rings stop flipping at the jackpot configuration and the winningpay lines70 then move radially outward as indicated at arrows Cl inFIG. 17, which further accentuates the jackpot win. This radially outward movement causes the paylines to separate from one another. With each of the winningpaylines70 spaced radially outwardly from its home position,perimeter accents94 begin to spiral inwardly ontoscreen14 and attach torespective paylines70 in a sequential manner (FIG. 18). Thus,accent94C attaches to payline70A first, thenaccent94D attaches to payline70B, thenaccent94E attaches to payline70C andaccent94F attaches to payline70D. Each of said accents spiral inwardly as is shown at arrow D1 with regard toaccents94G in the dot dash lines to a position shown byaccent94G in solid lines abovepayline70E.Payline70E moves inwardly as indicated at arrow E1 to its home position and thenaccent94G likewise moves radially inwardly as indicated at arrow E1 to attach to payline70E.Payline70F will then move to its home position and an additional accent which spirals inwardly will attach to payline70F and so forth with payline70G next and the remainder in sequential order so that all of the winningpaylines70 have aperimeter accent94 attached thereto as shown inFIG. 19.Symbol100 has thus far been described as adding value by combining paylines in a manner that increases the award value and by creating one or more paylines to increase the award value which may include the formation of a jackpot configuration.Symbol100 may also be used to effect a wager increase option in which the player of the game may increase the wager amount so that a win will produce a greater award value. One option along these lines is the playing of a first game having a first set of award values whereinsymbol100 appears on the screen to grant access to the play of a second game having a second set of award values which are respectively greater than the first set of award values.Symbol100 may also cause a progressive stage of play in which the jackpot amount increases with each play until won.
• FIGS. 20-22 show three different configurations of the rings to illustrate either distinctive paylines or activator symbol sets which serve the same purpose assymbol100 as previously discussed.FIG. 20 shows four non-contiguous middle blocks60A-D ofmiddle ring54 highlighted respectively byperimeter accents126A-D.Dissimilar symbols93B,83B,87B and84B are respectively shown within these fourblocks60A-D. This pattern or configuration may illustrate a distinctive payline in which the symbols are non-contiguous or separate from one another or may illustrate an activator symbol set which functions in the same manner assymbol100. To further define the concept of being non-contiguous, block60A andsymbol93B are used as an example. The symbol blocks and symbols associated therewith which are contiguous to block60A andsymbol93B areinner blocks58A,58B, and58C,middle blocks60F and60G, andouter blocks62A,62B, and62C as shown inFIG. 20. All of the other symbol blocks and associated symbols are non-contiguous withblock60A andsymbol93B. The other highlighted blocks and symbols follow the same pattern. Thus, the payline formed by these four non-contiguous symbols illustrates a payline in which first and second symbols are within the payline but none of the symbols or symbol blocks which are contiguous with the first symbol are within the payline.FIG. 20 further illustrates that none of the symbols or blocks contiguous to any of the highlighted blocks are part of the payline. The highlighted blocks also illustrate a regular pattern of every third symbol withinring54 being in the payline although irregular configurations may also be used. While each of the symbols of the payline inFIG. 20 are located withinmiddle ring54, they may be located in any of the suitable positions withinrings52,54 and56.
• FIG. 21 showsinner blocks58D-F highlighted respectively byperimeter accents128A-C with like or similar symbols91 Al,91 A2 and91 A3 respectively in said blocks.FIG. 21 thus represents a payline formed of three similar symbols and symbol blocks within asingle ring52 withblock58E being contiguous toblocks58D and58F as are the associated symbols. As previously noted, the highlighted symbol blocks and symbols may represent a payline or an activator symbol set.
• FIG. 22 shows aninner block58G highlighted by aperimeter accent130A, amiddle block60H contiguous to block58G highlighted by aperimeter accent130B and anouter block62D highlighted by aperimeter accent130C. Special like orsimilar symbols132A-C are positioned inblock58G,60H and62D respectively. Symbols132 are in the form of a pair of columns or torches which maintain the thematic association with the other symbols. However, symbols132 are different from those previously shown and illustrate that such different symbols may be used in forming a distinctive payline or activator symbol set.
• The computer program ofgaming machine10 is programmed to produce the display blocks58,60 and62 onscreen14. The computer program includes a symbol code pool having a plurality of symbol codes each of which represents one of symbols82-93 (FIG. 2). For each play of the game, the computer program randomly selects thirty-six of the symbol codes which cause a respective thirty-six of the symbols82-93 (or other symbols) to appear respectively inblocks58,60, and62 onscreen14. Thus, the symbol code pool has a given number of symbol codes which is greater than the number ofblocks58,60 and62 combined. This aspect of the computer program allows for the display of a payline such as that shown inFIG. 21 which includes a plurality of the same symbols within a single ring, amongst many other possibilities.
• Gaming machine10 thus provides a variety of new aspects to a slot style game. The use of a value adding symbol such assymbol100 or an activator symbol set as discussed with referenceFIGS. 20-22 may cause various value adding changes to the game. For instance, the activating symbol may combine paylines, create paylines, provide for a wager increase option or bonus rounds and so forth. In addition, the use of the rings which may be circular or other shapes provide for unique configurations and movements on the video screen. These include the shuffling process, the rotating or revolving of the symbols and rings, the flipping of the rings, the movement of individual paylines or symbol blocks relative to the others and so forth. The various novel features ofgaming machine10 add to its ability to attract players to the game.
• In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
• Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims (26)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a video display screen;

a game playable via display on the screen;

a wager mechanism for making a wager on the game;

a game play starter control for selectively initiating play of the game;

a first pay line displayable on the screen;

at least one value-adding symbol randomly displayable on the screen; and

a pay-related event activatable in response to appearance of the value-adding symbol on the screen.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the pay-related event comprises creation of the first pay line.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the first pay line has a first award value; further comprising a second pay line displayable on the screen and having a second award value; and wherein the pay-related event comprises a combination of the first and second pay lines having a third award value greater than the sum of the first and second award values.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the pay-related event comprises a wager increase option.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the pay-related event comprises a win pattern change.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of symbols displayable on the screen, usable in making up pay lines and movable in response to display of the value-adding symbol on the screen.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of symbols displayable on the screen, usable in making up pay lines, movable in a first direction from a first position to a second position and movable in a second direction transverse to the first direction from the second position to a third position.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein the symbols are movable along an arcuate path.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of symbols displayable on the screen and usable in making up pay lines; and wherein a first one of the symbols covers or is covered by a second one of the symbols during movement of at least one of the first and second symbols relative to one another.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the first pay line is movable from a first position on the screen to a second position on the screen.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising first and second reels displayable on the screen; a plurality of symbols on the first reel; a plurality of symbols on the second reel; and wherein the first pay line comprises a first one of the symbols on the first reel and second one of the symbols on the second reel; the reels spin during game play and stop spinning to form the first pay line; and the first and second symbols are movable relative to one another to change the distance therebetween when the reels are not spinning.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a first ring displayable on the screen; and a plurality of first symbols on the ring usable in making up pay lines.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein the first ring is rotatable.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein the first ring is flippable.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein the first symbols are movable circumferentially along the first ring.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 15 wherein at least one of the first symbols is movable past another of the first symbols during circumferential movement along the first ring to change the order of the first symbols.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 12 further comprising a second ring displayable on the screen; and a plurality of second symbols on the ring usable in making up pay lines.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein the first and second rings are rotatable in different directions.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein the second ring circumscribes the first ring.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein the first pay line comprises one of the first symbols and one of the second symbols.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 20 further comprising a third ring displayable on the screen and circumscribing the second ring; and a plurality of third symbols on the third ring usable in making up pay lines; and wherein the first pay line comprises one of the third symbols.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of symbols displayable on the screen and usable in making up pay lines; wherein a first one of the symbols and a second one of the symbols is displayed on the screen in a non-contiguous relationship; and the first pay line comprises the first and second symbols, but does not comprise any of the symbols which are in a contiguous relationship with the first symbol.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the first pay line comprises a plurality of dissimilar symbols.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of reels displayable on the screen; a plurality of display blocks in each reel; and wherein the first pay line comprises a plurality of symbols displayed in a plurality of the display blocks within a single one of the reels.

25. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of symbol locations on the screen; a plurality of symbols displayable on the screen and usable in making up pay lines; and a pool of computer program symbol codes which are randomly selectable and have a number greater than that of the symbol display locations; and wherein the symbols are displayed at the symbol display locations in response to the random selection of the symbol codes.

26. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising an accent movable on the screen from an unattached position to an attached position in which the accent is attached to the first pay line as an indicator that the pay line is a winning pay line.

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