The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1998
Robert J. Piechowiak, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Curtis J. Crawford, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Robert J. Piechowiak, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Curtis J. Crawford, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Multimedia Games, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to a bonus feature in a slot machine. This bonus feature may be used in stand-alone slot machines as well as linked slot machines. The preferred embodiment is directed to a system of linked gaming machines. In one embodiment, each linked gaming machines operates like a conventional machine where the generation and display of certain combinations of symbols within a first group of combinations provide awards to the individual players whose machines generate such combinations. In addition to this normal mode of play, a bonus feature is added where the generation and display of combinations of symbols within a second group of combinations are used in the awarding of a bonus. In such a feature, the generation of a combination of symbols within the second group of combinations is used in a bonus award game. The display on each machine may be a video display that displays the main game as well as the bonus game. Since both games can be run using the same electrical circuitry (e.g., memory and a processor), no additional hardware is needed. A single machine, as opposed to linked machines, may incorporate all elements to play the main game and the bonus game. This is equivalent to a single machine in a linked system being operated.