US20090005154A1 - Gaming Machine and Method Having a Plurality of Indicia Sets - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a gaming machine and method for operating a gaming machine including multiple supplemental games. Each supplemental game has a set of indicia unique from the indicia sets of the other supplemental games.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of and claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/553,081 filed on Oct. 26, 2006, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
• A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention is directed to gaming games and methods and, more particularly, to games and methods that have unique sets of indicia.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been developed with different features to captivate and maintain player interest. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game, the player may be entitled to an award which is paid to the player by the gaming machine, normally in the form of currency or game credits. Gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighted displays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a gaming device.
• Another important feature of maintaining player interest in a gaming machine includes providing the player with many opportunities to win awards, such as cash or prizes. For example, in some slot machines, the display windows show more than one adjacent symbol on each reel, thereby allowing for multiple-line betting. Other types of slot machines have been developed that offer supplemental games that provide players with additional opportunities to win, such as with additional free spins. Some gaming machines offer a player the opportunity to win millions of dollars by providing progressive jackpots. Additionally, supplemental games of various types have been employed to reward players above the amounts normally awarded on a standard game pay schedule. Generally, such supplemental games are triggered by predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certain combinations of indicia in the primary game. In order to stimulate interest, supplemental games are typically set to occur at a gaming machine on a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary game plays.
• While gaming machines including supplemental games have been very successful, there remains a need for games that provide a player with enhanced excitement and increased opportunity of winning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, a gaming machine includes a processor operatively coupled to a set of player-operable controls. A first game and a set of two or more feature games are operable by the processor in accordance with the player-operable controls, each feature game including its own unique set of indicia. Upon a triggering event, one or more of the set of feature games is initiated for play.
• In accordance with one or more other embodiments, a method of operating a gaming machine includes the steps of accepting a wager from a wager-input mechanism, initiating play of a first game according to the wager and, upon a triggering event, initiating one or more of a set of two or more feature games for play, where each feature game includes its own unique set of indicia.
• Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the features of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the physical and logical components of the gaming machine ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a display image associated with a game of one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a display image associated with a first supplemental game of one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a display image associated with a second supplemental game of one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a display image associated with a third supplemental game of one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting the steps associated with carrying out a method in accordance of one aspect of the invention.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware elements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Various embodiments are directed to a game and method for playing a game, wherein the player is provided a plurality of supplemental games. Embodiments of the game and method are illustrated and described herein, by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIGS. 1-8, there are shown illustrative examples of game and a method for playing a game in accordance with various aspects of the invention.
• In accordance with one embodiment,FIG. 1 illustrates agaming machine100 includingcabinet housing120,primary game display140, player-activatedbuttons160,player tracking panel136, bill/voucher acceptor180 and one ormore speakers190.Cabinet housing120 is a self-standing unit that is generally rectangular in shape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel or other rigid materials which are resistant to tampering and vandalism.Cabinet housing120 houses a processor, circuitry, and software (not shown) for receiving signals from the player-activatedbuttons160, operating the games, and transmitting signals to the respective displays and speakers. Any shaped cabinet may be implemented with any embodiment ofgaming machine100 so long as it provides access to a player for playing a game. For example,cabinet120 may comprise a slant-top, bar-top, or table-top style cabinet. The operation ofgaming machine100 is described more fully below.
• The plurality of player-activatedbuttons160 may be used for various functions such as, but not limited to, selecting a wager denomination, selecting a game to be played, selecting a wager amount per game, initiating a game, or cashing out money fromgaming machine100.Buttons160 function as input mechanisms and may include mechanical buttons, electromechanical buttons or touch screen buttons. Optionally, a handle (not shown) may be rotated by a player to initiate a game.
• In other embodiments,buttons160 may be replaced with various other input mechanisms known in the art such as, but not limited to, a touch screen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse, switches, toggle switches, or other input means used to accept player input. For example, one input means is a universal button module as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/106,212, entitled “Universal Button Module,” filed on Apr. 14, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, the universal button module provides a dynamic button system adaptable for use with various games and capable of adjusting to gaming systems having frequent game changes. More particularly, the universal button module may be used in connection with playing a game on a gaming machine and may be used for such functions as selecting the number of credits to bet per hand.
• Cabinet housing120 may optionally includetop box150 which contains “top glass”152 comprising advertising or payout information related to the game or games available ongaming machine100.Player tracking panel136 includes playertracking card reader134 andplayer tracking display132.Voucher printer130 may be integrated intoplayer tracking panel136 or installed elsewhere incabinet housing120 ortop box150.
• Game display140 presents a game of chance wherein a player receives one or more outcomes from a set of potential outcomes. For example, one such game of chance is a video poker game, an example of which is entitled Super Triple Trouble Poker, further described below. In other aspects of the invention,gaming machine100 may present a video or mechanical reel slot machine, a video keno game, a lottery game, a bingo game, a Class II bingo game, a roulette game, a craps game, a blackjack game, a mechanical or video representation of a wheel game or the like. In alternative embodiments, it may further be appreciated that games of skill or games of chance involving some player skill may be implemented withgaming machine100.
• Mechanical or video/mechanical embodiments may include game displays such as mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to present the game to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video embodiments,game display140 is, typically, a CRT or a flat-panel display in the form of, but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, field emission, or any other type of panel display known or developed in the art.Game display140 may be mounted in either a “portrait” or “landscape” orientation and be of standard or “widescreen” dimensions (i.e., a ratio of one dimension to another of at least 16×9). For example, a widescreen display may be 32 inches wide by 18 inches tall. A widescreen display in a “portrait” orientation may be 32 inches tall by 18 inches wide. Additionally,game display140 preferably includes a touch screen or touch glass system (not shown) and presents player interfaces such as, but not limited to, credit meter144, win meter142 and touch screen buttons146. An example of a touch glass system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,571, entitled “Gaming Device with Direction and Speed Control of Mechanical Reels Using Touch Screen,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
• Game display140 may also present information such as, but not limited to, player information, advertisements and casino promotions, graphic displays, news and sports updates, or even offer an alternate game. This information may be generated through a host computer networked withgaming machine100 on its own initiative or it may be obtained by request of the player using either one or more of the plurality of player-activatedbuttons160; the game display itself, ifgame display140 comprises a touch screen or similar technology; buttons (not shown) mounted aboutgame display140 which may permit selections such as those found on an ATM machine, where legends on the screen are associated with respective selecting buttons; or any player input device that offers the required functionality.
• Cabinet housing120 incorporates asingle game display140. However, in alternate embodiments,cabinet housing120 ortop box150 may house one or more additional displays or components (not shown) used for various purposes including additional game play screens, animated “top glass,” progressive meters or mechanical or electromechanical devices such as, but not limited to, wheels, pointers or reels. The additional displays may or may not include a touch screen or touch glass system.
• In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the interconnection of physical andlogical components200 ofgaming machine100.Currency acceptor210 is typically connected to central processing unit (“CPU”)205 by a serial connection such as RS-232 or USB.CPU205 executesgame program220 that causesvideo display screen230 to display a game. In one embodiment,game program220 is a game entitled Super Triple Trouble Poker.
• When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for example and without limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens, cashless tickets or vouchers, electronic funds transfers or the like intocurrency acceptor210, a signal is sent toCPU205 which, in turn, assigns an appropriate number of credits for play. The player may further control the operation ofgaming machine100, for example, to select the amount to wager via electromechanical ortouchscreen buttons250. The game starts in response to the player pushing one ofbuttons250.
• Random number generator240 responds to instructions fromCPU205 to provide a display of randomly selected indicia onvideo display screen230. Thereafter, the player may or may not interact with the game through electromechanical ortouchscreen buttons250 to change the displayed indicia. Finally,CPU205 under control ofgame program220 compares the final display of indicia to a pay table. The set of possible game outcomes may include a subset of outcomes related to the triggering of play of free games. In the event the displayed outcome is a member of this subset,CPU205, under control ofgame program220, causes additional game play to be presented onvideo display screen230 as will be described further below.
• Predetermined payout amounts for certain outcomes, including bonus game outcomes, are stored as part ofgame program220. Such payout amounts are, in response to instructions fromCPU205, provided to the player in the form of coins, credits or currency viapayout mechanism260, which may be one or more of a credit meter, a coin hopper, a voucher printer, an electronic funds transfer protocol or any other payout means known or developed in the art.
• In various embodiments ofgaming machine100,game program220 is stored in a memory device (not shown). By way of example, but not by limitation, such memory devices include external memory devices, hard drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and flash memory cards. In an alternative embodiment, the game programs are stored in a remote storage device. In one embodiment, the remote storage device is housed in a remote server. The gaming machine may access the remote storage device via a network connection, including but not limited to, a local area network connection, a TCP/IP connection, a wireless connection, or any other means for operatively networking components together. Optionally, other data including graphics, sound files and other media data for use withgaming machine100 are stored in the same or a separate memory device (not shown).
• In the various embodiments of the invention, multiple supplemental games are available to the player. In one embodiment, the set of possible primary game outcomes includes a subset of outcomes related to the triggering of supplemental games. In an alternate embodiment, other elements of the primary game trigger supplemental games. In either case, each supplemental game has a unique primary game trigger associated with it. Once a supplemental game has been triggered, the player is awarded a certain number of supplemental game plays for which they may, or may not, pay. The composition of the indicia set (reels, card decks, etc.) and pay table used in each supplemental game is determined by the triggering event and differs from those used by the primary game. Any combination of indicia and pay table may be used for each of the plurality of bonus games, provided each combination is unique.
• For example, one poker-based embodiment might offer play of a supplemental game upon achievement of any four-of-a-kind outcome. As shown in Table 1, if the rank of the triggering hand is between a five and a king, the deck used in the supplemental game would have a single joker. If the rank of the triggering hand is between two and four, the deck would have two jokers. If the rank of the triggering hand is an ace, the deck used in the supplemental games would have three jokers. Each supplemental game would have a distinct pay table including pays made possible by its unique set of indicia. In an alternate embodiment, the pay table could be the same for each of the three supplemental games.

• 	TABLE 1
  		Cards Added to
  	Rank	Deck	Pay Table (Rules)
  	5-K	One Joker	Single Joker Pay
  			Table
  	2-4	Two Jokers	Dual Joker Pay
  			Table
  	A	Three Jokers	Three Joker Pay
  			Table

• Turning toFIG. 3, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the Super Triple Trouble Poker game is implemented onvideo display300. The game is based on a five-card single hold-and-draw poker game. Optionally, any poker-based game may be used. For example, the game could be based on a stud poker game.
• A simulated standard deck of fifty-two cards is used. The deck comprises four subsets of cards identified as two through ten, jack, queen, king, and ace. Each of the four subsets of cards is identified by one of four suits: spades, clubs, hearts or diamonds. In some embodiments, one or more jokers may also be included for use according to the rules of the game being played, for example, as a wild card. In other embodiments, the playing cards used by the game may include one or more standard or non-standard decks of playing cards.
• InFIG. 3, a player selects the number of credits or coins wagered on the game using touch screen controls BET ONE321 orBET MAX320 or corresponding buttons in the set of gaming machine control buttons160 (FIG. 1). The player may optionally control the speed at which cards are dealt by touchingSPEED control350 or the volume of game sound by touchingVOLUME control360 until the desired settings are achieved.
• Cash meter315 displays the player's current balance, while other meters may display, for example, the number of credits or coins wagered317 and the last amount paid316. Other meters containing other information may be displayed. The amount wagered may additionally be indicated by highlighting thecorresponding column325 of pay table330.
• The player initiates game play by pressing REBET/DEAL button335. Five simulated cards301-305 are dealt to the player. While cards301-305 are shown face-up, in one embodiment, the cards are all initially dealt face-down, or alternatively, the cards are dealt in a combined fashion such that some of the cards are dealt face-down and some are dealt face-up.
• Once the cards have been dealt, the player is allowed to discard as few as none and as many as five of cards301-305 by touching the cards he wished to hold or by pressing buttons (not shown) corresponding to the cards. For example, the buttons may be in the set ofbuttons160 illustrated inFIG. 1. When the player presses a DRAW button (not shown), cards not elected to be held are discarded and replaced by cards remaining in the original deck. It is important to note that the player is not required to discard any of the cards dealt in the initial hand, and may choose to hold all of the originally dealt cards. In alternate embodiments, the number of allowed discards will vary depending on the rules of the game. In one embodiment of the invention, the player may be required to discard at least one of the dealt cards.
• The player's final five-card hand is compared to the outcomes based on a poker hand ranking scheme shown on pay table330. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the game outcome is a non-paying poker hand (J, Q, 10, 2, 9). However, for each winning combination, the game would the player the award in the pay table corresponding to both the achieved winning poker hand and the number of units wagered on the game. For example, according to pay table330, in the event the player had wagered three units, an outcome of “Four Aces” would result in an award of 600 units. In some embodiments, winning outcomes may be indicated on pay table330 by highlighting the row of the table corresponding to the winning outcome. Still further embodiments may highlight the rectangle at the intersection of the winning row and appropriate wager column. Additional information about the game may be accessible through SEE PAYSbutton340 orHELP button345. In alternate embodiments, the pay table may be presented on a second video or printed display attached to the gaming device (i.e. “pay glass”152,FIG. 1).
• In Super Triple Trouble Poker, a primary game outcome may include not only a final poker hand, but also the random appearance of as few as none and as many as threebonus icons335. The icons are represented by either flames, a red-and-black devil face or a red devil face. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the game outcome includes a non-paying poker hand (J, Q, 10, 2, 9) and two icons, a red-and-black devil face336 and ared devil face337. At the beginning of each game, a random icon outcome is selected and presented on the display. If three icons are displayed, the player is awarded one of three supplemental games as shown in Table 2. If less than three icons are displayed, no supplemental games are awarded.

• TABLE 2
  Trigger	Deck	Pay Table (Rules)
  3 Flames or 3	Primary game	Three free games
  Mixed Flames,		awarded. Primary
  Red-and-Black		game pay table
  Devils and Red		rows are the same
  Devils triggers		but all primary
  Mixed		game awards are
  supplemental		tripled during free
  game.		games.
  3 Red-and-Black	26 Card Deck	Three free games
  Devils triggers	consisting of only	awarded. Special
  Red-and-Black	Spades and Hearts	Red-and-Black Pay
  supplemental		Table removes
  game.		some primary
  		game pays. All
  		remaining primary
  		game awards are
  		tripled during free
  		games.
  3 Red Devils	13-card deck	Three free games
  triggers Red	consisting of only	awarded.
  supplemental game	Spades.	Special Red Pay
  		Table removes
  		some primary
  		game pays. All
  		remaining primary
  		game awards are
  		tripled during free
  		games.

• Turning toFIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an example of the “Mixed” supplemental game is shown onvideo display400. It can be seen that, during the last primary game play, the player received three Flame icons410 that triggered the supplemental games. The player has just been dealt a hand in the second of three free “Mixed” supplemental games. The cards have been dealt from a “standard” deck composed of 52 cards. The hand consists of a two402, twoaces401, aJack403 and an eight404. The hand shown is an example; any cards from the standard deck could have been dealt to the player in any order.
• The awards in pay table440 are based on the player's wager size at the time the supplemental games were triggered and the tripling of primary game awards associated with the “Mixed” supplemental game. For example, a Flush pays 20 in the primary game and 60 in the supplemental game.Pay table column450 indicates the set of awards available to the player under the rules of the “Mixed” supplemental game.
• Bonus win meter430 indicates that the player did not win an award on the first hand of the three free supplemental games, however, paytable row460 is highlighted, reflecting that the twoaces401 held by the player will be eligible for a Jacks or Better award of 15 units. The player may, however, attempt to improve his hand by holding some cards and discarding some cards. As previously described, the player may optionally hold all cards or discard all cards.
• By pressingDRAW button470, the player may hold theaces401 and discard the two402, theJack403 and the eight404, and replace them with cards remaining in the deck.Games remaining meter420 indicates that, when the hand currently in progress is completed, the player will have one free game remaining before normal primary game play, with the primary game deck and pay table, resumes.
• Turning toFIG. 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an example of the “Red-and-Black” supplemental game is shown onvideo display500. It can be seen that, during the last primary game play, the player received three Red-and-Black icons510 that triggered the supplemental games. The player has just been dealt a hand in the second of three free “Red-and-Black” supplemental games. The cards have been dealt from a 26-card deck consisting of only Spades and Hearts. The hand consists of twoQueens501, a four502, a six503 and a three504. The hand shown is an example; any cards from the standard deck could have been dealt to the player in any order.
• The awards in pay table440 are based on the player's wager size at the time the supplemental games were triggered and the tripling of primary game awards associated with the “Red-and-Black” supplemental game. For example, a Flush pays 20 in the primary game and 60 in the supplemental game.Pay table column550 indicates the set of awards available to the player under the rules of the “Red-and-Black” supplemental game.
• Bonus win meter530 indicates that the player did not win an award on the first hand of the three free supplemental games, however, paytable row560 is highlighted, reflecting that the twoQueens501 held by the player will be eligible for a Jacks or Better award of 15 units. The player may, however, attempt to improve his hand by holding some cards and discarding some cards. As previously described, the player may optionally hold all cards or discard all cards.
• By pressingDRAW button570, the player may hold theQueens401 and discard the four502, the six503 and the three504, and replace them with cards remaining in the deck.Games remaining meter520 indicates that, when the hand currently in progress is completed, the player will have one free game remaining before normal primary game play, with the primary game deck and pay table, resumes.
• Turning toFIG. 6, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an example of the “Red” supplemental game is shown onvideo display600. It can be seen that, during the last primary game play, the player received threeRed Devil icons610 that triggered the supplemental games. The player has just been dealt a hand in the second of three free “Red” supplemental games. The cards have been dealt from a 13-card deck consisting of only Spades. The hand consists of anAce601, a three602, a nine603 and a ten604 and aJack605. The hand shown is an example; any cards from the standard deck could have been dealt to the player in any order.
• The awards in pay table640 are based on the player's wager size at the time the supplemental games were triggered and the tripling of primary game awards associated with the “Red-and-Black” supplemental game. For example, for a wager of ten units, a Flush pays 20 in the primary game and 60 in the supplemental game.Pay table column650 indicates the set of awards available to the player under the rules of the “Red” supplemental game.
• Bonus win meter630 indicates that the player did not win an award on the first hand of the three free supplemental games, however, paytable row660 is highlighted, reflecting that the cards already held by the player will be eligible for a Flush award of 60 units. The player may, however, attempt to improve his hand by holding some cards and discarding some cards. As previously described, the player may optionally hold all cards or discard all cards.
• By pressingDRAW button670, the player may hold theQueens Ace601, the 10604 and theJack605, discard the three602 and the nine603, and replace them with cards remaining in the deck.Games remaining meter620 indicates that, when the hand currently in progress is completed, the player will have one free game remaining before normal primary game play, with the primary game deck and pay table, resumes.
• It should be noted that, in the three supplemental games illustrated byFIGS. 4-6, each of the supplemental games employs a different deck and pay table composition from each of the other supplemental games.
• In another, separate embodiment, more than one hand of cards may be dealt to the game player, wherein each additional hand contains the same number of cards as the first dealt hand. It will be appreciated that any number of additional hands can be dealt to the game player in either of a primary game, a supplemental game or both.
• In other embodiments of the invention, games other than poker may be used. For example, in a reel spinning game, the primary game may trigger a unique supplemental game depending on whether three, four or five predetermined symbols appear in any position (“scattered”) on the reels. Each of the supplemental games, while similar in operation to the primary game, would have a unique set of indicia (reel symbols) and may or may not have a unique pay table.
• A logical flow diagram generally depicting the steps associated with amethod700 for carrying out a game having multiple sets of indicia, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, is presented inFIG. 7. The order of actions as shown inFIG. 7 and described below is only illustrative, and should not be considered limiting. For example, the order of the actions may be changed, additional steps may be added or some steps may be removed without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.
• First, the set of indicia and pay table used for a primary game are selected and play is initiated by a player atblock705. The player initiates game play atblock710, and may simply observe a presentation of indicia, as in a slot machine game, or interact with the game following one or more presentations of indicia, as in a draw poker game. Any awards due the player as a result of evaluating the displayed indicia against the pay table are paid atblock715.
• The primary game outcome is compared to the first of a plurality of supplemental game triggers atdecision block720. For example, in a slot machine embodiment, the appearance of three lemons on a pay line may have been predetermined to be the trigger for a first supplemental game,Secondary Game1.
• If the triggering event forSupplemental Game1 has not occurred, the method proceeds to decision block745 to test for the occurrence of the trigger for a second supplemental game,Secondary Game2.
• Otherwise, the primary game indicia and pay table are replaced by theSecondary Game1 indicia and pay table atblock725.Secondary Game1 is then played according to its associated indicia and pay table atblock730. Any awards associated with the outcome ofSecondary Game1 are paid at block735. Multiple iterations of blocks730-735 are possible. Atstep740, the decision to play a given iteration ofSecondary Game1, or not, is made. The decision may be predetermined by the rules of the game, determined at the time the supplemental game is triggered, or determined “on the fly.” When it is determined that play ofSecondary Game1 is complete, primary game play resumes atblock705.
• IfSecondary Game1 was not triggered atblock720, the primary game outcome is compared to the trigger forSecondary Game2 atdecision block745. If the triggering event forSecondary Game1 has not occurred, primary game play continues atblock705.
• Otherwise, the primary game indicia and pay table are replaced by theSecondary Game2 indicia and pay table atblock750.Secondary Game2 is then played according to its associated indicia and pay table at block755. Any awards associated with the outcome ofSecondary Game2 are paid atblock760. Multiple iterations of blocks755-760 are possible. Atstep765, the decision to play a given iteration ofSecondary Game2, or not, is made. The decision may be predetermined by the rules of the game, determined at the time the supplemental game is triggered, or determined “on the fly.” When it is determined that play ofSecondary Game2 is complete, primary game play resumes atblock705.
• It should be noted that each of the supplemental games, while similar in operation to the primary game, has a unique set of indicia (cards, reel symbols or other indicia) and may or may not have a unique pay table.
• Referring toFIG. 8, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,gaming system800 includesserver810,gaming machines850, andnetwork840 connectinggaming machines850 toserver810. Additionally,gaming display computer830 is shown connected tonetwork840.Server810 may be selected from a variety of conventionally available servers. The type of server used is generally determined by the platform and software requirements of the gaming system. Examples of suitable servers are an IBM RS6000-based server, an IBM AS/400-based server or a Microsoft Windows-based server, but it should be appreciated that any suitable server may be used. It may also be appreciated thatserver810 may be configured as a single “logical” server that comprises multiple physical servers.Gaming machines850 operate similar to conventional peripheral networked terminals.Gaming machines850 have a player interface such as a display, a card reader, and selection buttons through whichgaming machines850 interact with a player playing a wagering having supplemental games with multiple sets of indicia. The player interface is used for making choices such as the amount of a bet or the number of lines to bet.Gaming machines850 also provide information toserver810 concerning activity ongaming machines850 and provide a communication portal for players withserver810. For example, the player interface may be used for selecting different server-related menu options such as, but not limited to, transferring a specified number of credits from a player account onto the credit meter of the gaming machine, or for transferring credits from the gaming machine to a central player account.
• In various embodiments, any of thegaming machines850 may be a mechanical reel spinning slot machine, video slot machine, video poker machine, keno machine, video blackjack machine, or a gaming machine offering one or more of the above described primary games offering supplemental games having multiple sets of indicia. Networking components (not shown) facilitate communications acrossnetwork840 between thesystem server810 andgame management units820 and/or gamingdisplay control computers830 that control displays for carousels of gaming machines. Game management units (GMU's)820 connect gaming machines to networking components and may be installed in the gaming machine cabinet or external to the gaming machine. The function of the GMU is similar to the function of a network interface card connected to a desktop personal computer (PC). Some GMU's have much greater capability and can perform such tasks as presenting and playing a game having supplemental games with multiple sets of indicia using adisplay825 operatively connected to theGMU820. Displays related to games offering supplemental games having multiple sets of indicia ongaming machines850 or GMU displays825 may also be presented ongaming display835 by gamingdisplay control computer830. In one embodiment, theGMU820 is a separate component located outside the gaming machine. Alternatively, in another embodiment, theGMU820 is located within the gaming machine. Optionally, in an alternative embodiment, one ormore gaming machines850 connect directly to the network and are not connected to aGMU820. A gaming system of the type described above also allows a plurality of games in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention to be linked under the control ofserver810 for cooperative or competitive play in a particular area, carousel, casino or between casinos located in geographically separate areas.
• One will appreciate that a gaming system may also comprise other types of components, and the above illustrations are meant only as examples and not as limitations to the types of components or games having multiple sets of indicia in a gaming system. Additionally, it may further be appreciated that each of the games could be operated on a remote host computer such that a player initiates play with the host computer over a network via the player interface andgaming machine850 operates the respective gaming and video displays in conjunction with the game whose play is controlled by the remote computer.
• The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimed invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a processor operatively coupled to a set of player-operable controls;

a first game and a set of two or more feature games operable by the processor in accordance with the player-operable controls, each feature game comprising its own unique set of indicia, wherein, upon a triggering event, one or more of the set of feature games is initiated for play.

2. The gaming machine ofclaim 1 further comprising a video display operatively coupled to the processor.

3. The gaming machine ofclaim 2 wherein the video display is configured to display one or more slot machine reels.

4. The gaming machine ofclaim 2 wherein the video display is configured to display one or more playing cards.

5. The gaming machine ofclaim 2 wherein the video display is configured to display one or more keno balls.

6. The gaming machine ofclaim 2 wherein the video display is configured to display one or more bingo balls.

7. The gaming machine ofclaim 2 wherein the video display is a wide-screen display.

8. The gaming machine ofclaim 1 further comprising a progressive meter.

9. The gaming machine ofclaim 1 further comprising a memory operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises at least one of a hard drive, a CDROM, a DVD or a flash memory.

10. The gaming machine ofclaim 9 wherein the memory includes a game program.

11. The gaming machine ofclaim 10 wherein the processor in accordance with the game program predetermines the number of times each selected feature game is played according to rules of the game.

12. The gaming machine ofclaim 10 wherein the processor in accordance with the game program determines the number of times each selected feature game is played at the time the feature game is triggered.

13. The gaming machine ofclaim 1 further comprising a cabinet enclosing the processor, wherein the cabinet is one of a bar-top cabinet, a slant-top cabinet, an upright cabinet or a table-top cabinet.

14. The gaming machine ofclaim 1 wherein the triggering event comprises one or more of a set of possible first game outcomes.

15. The gaming machine game ofclaim 1 wherein the triggering event is unrelated to the outcome of the first game.

16. A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including the steps of:

accepting a wager from a wager-input mechanism;

initiating play of a first game according to the wager;

upon a triggering event, initiating one or more of a set of two or more feature games for play, each feature game comprising its own unique set of indicia.

17. The method ofclaim 16 wherein initiating play of the first game comprises displaying one or more slot machine reels.

18. The method ofclaim 16 wherein initiating play of one or more of a set of two or more feature games for play comprises displaying one or more slot machine reels.

19. The method ofclaim 16 wherein the triggering event comprises a predefined one of a set of possible first game outcomes.

20. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising the step of paying an award associated with an outcome of at least one initiated feature game.

21. A gaming machine including:

a first game with a first set of indicia, the first game being initiatable by a wager;

the first game including a first and second distinct triggering indicia respectively associated with a first and second feature game;

the first and second feature games respectively triggered by one or more outcomes of the first game including respective of the distinct triggering indicia;

the first feature game including a first feature set of indicia, the first feature set of indicia comprising a subset of the first set of indicia not equal to the first set of indicia, the first feature game including one or more outcomes wherein awards may be accumulated according to a first feature paytable;

the second feature game including a second feature set of indicia, the second feature set of indicia comprising a unique set of indicia, the second feature game including one or more games outcomes wherein awards may be accumulated according to a second feature paytable.

22. The gaming machine ofclaim 21 further comprising a third feature game with a third feature set of indicia, the third feature set of indicia comprising another unique set of indicia.

23. The gaming machine ofclaim 21 wherein the second feature paytable is different than the first feature paytable.

24. The gaming machine ofclaim 21 wherein the first and second feature games include one or more special indicia.

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