Gaming device having independent bonus reels

CA 02461640 2007-08-01

GAMING DEVICE HAVING INDEPENDENT BONUS REELS

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having independent bonus reels.

Gaming devices provide enjoyment and excitement to players, in part, because they may ultimately lead to monetary awards for the players. Gaming devices also provide enjoyment and excitement to the players because they are fun to play. Bonus games, in particular, provide gaming device manufacturers with the opportunity to add enjoyment and excitement to that which is already expected from a base game of the gaming device. Bonus games provide extra awards to the player and enable the player to play a game that is different than the base game.

Known gaming devices having bonus games employ a triggering event that occurs during play of the base game operation of the gaming device. The triggering event temporarily stalls or halts the base game play and enables a player to enter a second, different game, which is the bonus game. The player plays the bonus game, likely receives an award, and returns to the base game. In most instances, the bonus game is relatively short in relation to the time that the player spends repeatedly playing the base game. The player may play the bonus game several times while playing the base game of the gaming device.

Different types of bonus games are described in European Patent

Application No’s EP 0874337A1, EP 0945837A1 and EP 0984409A2, each of

CA 02461640 2007-08-01 which are assigned to WMS Gaming, Inc. These games are generally versions of a “Do Until” type bonus game.

Patent Application No. EP 0874337A1 discloses a gaming device having a bonus game where the player spins a plurality of reels including several symbols. In the bonus game, if the player obtains a winning symbol combination on the reels, the player receives an award and spins again. The probability for obtaining a winning symbol combination on the reels is greater than fifty percent. Therefore, a player will likely have multiple opportunities to spin the reels in the bonus game and receive several awards. If the player does not obtain a winning symbol combination, the bonus game ends and the player receives the total accumulated award for the game. Thus, the player spins the reels in the bonus game until the player does not obtain a winning combination.

Patent Application No. EP 0984409A2 discloses a gaming device wherein the game enables the player to spin a plurality of reels having various symbols attempting to obtain awards. In this bonus game, the player starts the bonus game with a limited number of spins. Then, the player spins the reels until there are no spins remaining. The player receives an award after each spin. The final award in the bonus game is the total of all of the accumulated awards by the player in the game.

Patent Application No. EP 09454837A2 discloses a gaming device wherein the game presents the player with a plurality of selections in the bonus game. The selections include masked or hidden awards and end bonus outcomes or terminators. The player receives an award for each selection picked by a player that is not a terminator. The player continues to pick selections until the player selects a terminator. The terminator ends the bonus game and the player receives the total of all the awards they obtained during the game.

The above gaming machines employ a Do-Until style bonus game where a player spins reels or picks from a player selectable grid or board until the player obtains a terminator or runs out of picks. In these games, players can obtain multiple awards. While such bonus games offer advantages in player appeal and

CA 02461640 2007-08-01 excitement, there is a continuing need to develop new types of bonus games that allow players to accumulate larger awards and increase the level of player excitement and enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device. The gaming device includes at least two independently activated reels, a plurality of award symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, and at least one award indicator associated with each of the reels. The gaming device also includes a terminating condition associated with at least one of the reels, and a processor for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for deactivating at least one of the reels when a terminating condition occurs for the reel and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

At least one terminating condition may be associated with each reel.

The gaming device may include an activation initiator in communication with the processor.

The terminating condition may be at least one terminator symbol on the reels. The reel may be deactivated when the terminator symbol is indicated on the reel.

The gaming device may include a plurality of award indicators associated with at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a display device for displaying the reels. The processor may communicate with the display device.

The gaming device may also include a deactivation probability associated with at least one reel. The processor may randomly determine to deactivate the reel based on the deactivation probability.

The deactivation probability associated with one reel may be higher than the deactivation associated with another reel.

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The gaming device may further include an occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition. The processor may randomly determine whether the terminating condition occurs based on the occurrence probability.

The occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition may increase after each activation of the reels where the terminating condition does not occur.

The occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition may increase after a plurality of activations of the reels where the terminating condition does not occur.

The gaming device may also include an indication probability associated with each award symbol and an occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition. The processor may determine whether one of the award symbols is indicated or the terminating condition occurs based on the probabilities.

The occurrence probability may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with all of the award symbols on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with a plurality of the award symbols on one of the reels.

The awards may have probabilities of being provided to the player. The processor may determine the award symbols based on the probabilities.

A plurality of the probabilities may be different.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of potential total awards. The processor may randomly select one of the total awards and repeatedly indicate award symbols on the reels until the awards associated with the award symbols accumulate to the total award.

The total awards may be associated with probabilities such that one of the total awards has a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another of the total awards.

Each reel may be associated with pre-determined awards.

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Each reel may be associated with randomly determined awards.

The awards associated with one of the reels may increment by a predetermined amount each time the reel re-activates.

The awards associated with one of the reels may increment by a randomly determined amount each time the reel re-activates.

The award indicator may be at least one payline.

The terminating condition may include a number of activations associated with each reel and each reel may deactivate when the number of activations occurs for the reel.

The number of activations may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one number of activations has a higher probability of being selected than another number of activations.

The terminating condition may include a total number of activations. At least one of the reels may deactivate when the total number of activations occurs.

The total number of activations may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one total number of activations has a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another total number of activations.

The gaming device may include a pre-determined total number of activations. The processor may provide the player with an award if the predetermined total number of activations occurs.

The pre-determined total number of activations may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one pre-determined total number of activations has a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another pre-determined total number of activations.

The gaming device may further include an award associated with the terminating condition.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device having a bonus game. The gaming device includes at least two

CA 02461640 2007-08-01 independently activated reels, a plurality of award symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, and at least one terminator symbol on at least one of the reels. The gaming device also includes an award indicator associated with each of the reels, and a processor for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for deactivating at least one of the reels when the terminator symbol is indicated on the reel and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

The gaming device may also include an activation initiator in communication with the processor.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of terminator symbols on at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a plurality of award indicators associated with at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may further include a display device for displaying the reels. The processor may communicate with the display device.

The gaming device may include a plurality of activated reels.

The gaming device may also include an indication probability associated with each symbol. The processor may determine the symbol indicated based on the indication probabilities.

A plurality of the indication probabilities may be the same.

An occurrence probability associated with the terminator symbol on one of the reels may be higher than the indication probability associated with at least one award symbol on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminator symbol on one of the reels may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with all of the award symbols on one of the reels.

The awards may have probabilities of being provided to the player. The processor may determine the award symbols based on the probabilities.

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A plurality of the probabilities may be different.

The award indicator may be at least one payline.

The processor may deactivate all of the reels when at least one terminator symbol is indicated on one of the reels.

The terminator symbol may be associated with an award.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device. The gaming device includes at least two independently activated reels, and a plurality of award symbols on each of the reels, each award symbol associated with an indication probability. One of the award symbols has a higher probability of being indicated than another of the award symbols. The gaming device also includes a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, and at least one terminating condition associated with each of the reels, each terminating condition associated with an occurrence probability. One of the terminating conditions has a higher probability of occurring than another of the terminating conditions. The gaming device further includes at least one independent award indicator associated with each of the reels, and a processor for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player an award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel based on the indication probabilities, for deactivating the reel when the terminating condition occurs on the reel based on the occurrence probabilities, and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may be higher than the indication probability associated with at least one award symbol.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with a plurality of the award symbols.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 be higher than the indication probabilities associated with all of the award symbols.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device. The gaming device includes at least two independently activated reels, a plurality of award symbols on each of the reels, and a plurality of low value awards associated with the award symbols on at least one of the reels, the reel having low value awards associated with a first probability of being activated. The gaming device also includes a plurality of large value awards associated with the award symbols on at least one of the reels, the reel having large value awards associated with a second probability of being activated. The second probability of being activated associated with the reels having large value awards is lower than the first probability of being activated associated with the reels having low value awards. The gaming device may also further include a terminating condition associated with each of the reels, an award indicator associated with each of the reels, and a processor for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for de-activating the reel when the terminating condition occurs on the reel and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device. The gaming device includes a plurality of independently activated reels, a plurality of award symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, an award indicator associated with each of the reels, a terminating condition. The terminating condition is associated with an occurrence probability. The gaming device also includes a processor for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for deactivating at least one of the reels when the terminating condition occurs, for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 not deactivated, and for determining whether the terminating condition will occur during the reel activations based on the occurrence probability.

The occurrence probability may be the same for each reel.

The occurrence probability may be different for each reel.

The occurrence probability may be different for a plurality of reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after each activation of the reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after a plurality of activations of the reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after each occurrence of the terminating condition on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after a plurality of terminating conditions occur on the reels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device. The gaming device includes a plurality of independently activated reels, a plurality of award symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, at least one award indicator associated with each of the reels, and a number of activations. The gaming device also includes a processor for randomly determining the number of activations, for associating the number of activations with at least one reel, for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for deactivating at least one of the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reel or the reels and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

The gaming device may also include a probability of being determined by the processor associated with the number of activations. The probability associated with one number of activations may be higher than another number of activations.

The number of activations may be the same for each reel.

The number of activations may be different for each reel.

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The number of activations may be different for a plurality of reels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device. The gaming device includes a plurality of independently activated reels, at least one of the reels associated with a deactivation probability, a plurality of award symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, and at least one award indicator associated with each of the reels. The gaming device also includes a processor for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for randomly deactivating at least one of the reels based on the deactivation probability for that reel and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

The deactivation probability may be the same for each reel.

The deactivation probability may be different for each reel.

The deactivation probability may be different for a plurality of reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after each activation of one of the reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after a plurality of activations of one of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a number of activations associated with each reel.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations occurs for one of the reels.

The gaming device may further include a number of activations associated with a plurality of the reels.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations occurs for the reels.

The gaming device may also include a number of activations associated with all of the reels.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 occurs for all of the reels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device having a bonus game. The gaming device includes a plurality of independently activated reels, a plurality of award symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the award symbols, at least one award indicator associated with each of the reels, and a number of activations associated with each reel. The gaming device also includes a processor for randomly determining the number of activations for each reel, for independently activating each of the reels, for independently stopping each of the reels, for providing a player any award associated with the award symbol indicated on the stopped reel, for deactivating the stopped reel when the number of activations has occurred for that reel and for independently re-activating the stopped reel when the reel is not deactivated.

The gaming device may also include a probability of being determined by the processor associated with the number of activations. The probability associated with one number of activations may be higher than another number of activations.

The number of activations may be the same for each reel.

The number of activations may be different for each reel.

The gaming device may further include a number of activations associated with a plurality of reels. The processor may deactivate the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reels.

The gaming device may also include a number of activations associated with all of the reels. The processor may deactivate all of the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a gaming device. The method involves independently activating a plurality of reels, each including at least one award symbol and at least one terminating condition. The method also involves independently stopping one of the reels, providing an award to a player if an award symbol is

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 indicated on the stopped reel, deactivating the reel if a terminating condition occurs, re-activating the reel if the terminating condition does not occur, and repeating until each of the reels is de-activated.

The award symbols may be associated with probabilities of being indicated and at least one terminating condition may be associated with a probability of occurring such that each of the award symbols has a lower probability of being indicated than the probability of occurring associated with the terminating condition.

The award symbols may be associated with probabilities of being indicated and at least one terminating condition may be associated with a probability of occurring such that each of the award symbols has a higher probability of being indicated than the probability of occurring associated with the terminating condition.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player, and at least two independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game. The gaming device also includes a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device further includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one indicator associated with each of the reels, and at least one terminating condition associated with at least one of the reels. The at least one processor is operable to independently activate each of the plurality of reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any of the awards associated with the symbols indicated on the stopped reels, deactivate at least one of the reels when the terminating condition occurs for the reel, and independently re-activate the stopped reel if the reel is not deactivated.

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The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

The reels may be activated after a bonus game is triggered.

The terminating condition may be associated with the bonus game.

The gaming device may also include a display device for displaying the reels and the processor may communicate with the display device.

The gaming device may further include an activation initiator in communication with the processor.

The awards may have probabilities of being provided to the player. The processor may determine the awards to be associated with the symbols based on the probabilities.

A plurality of the probabilities may be different.

The award associated with at least one of the symbols on at least one of the reels may be different from the award associated with at least one symbol on a different one of the reels.

Each reel may be associated with pre-determined awards.

Each reel may be associated with randomly determined awards.

The gaming device may also include a total accumulated award adapted to be provided to the player. The total accumulated award includes any award associated with indicated symbols on the reels.

The gaming device may further include at least one symbol combination award based on a combination of symbols indicated on a plurality of the reels.

The gaming device may also include an activation award adapted to be provided to the player if at least one of the reels is activated a predetermined number of activations.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of potential total awards. The processor may randomly select one of the total awards and indicate symbols on the reels until the awards associated with the symbols accumulate to the total award.

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The total awards may be associated with probabilities such that one of the total awards has a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another of the total awards.

The awards associated with one of the reels may increment by a predetermined amount each time the reel re-activates.

The awards associated with one of the reels may increment by a randomly determined amount each time the reel re-activates.

The gaming device may also include a plurality of indicators associated with at least one of the reels.

The indicator may include at least one payline.

The gaming device may further include an indication probability associated with each symbol. The symbol to be indicated may be determined based on the indication probabilities.

A plurality of the probabilities may be different.

The gaming device may also include an indication probability associated with each symbol and an occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition. The processor may determine whether one of the symbols is indicated or the terminating condition occurs based on the probabilities.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may be higher than the indication probability associated with at least one of the symbols.

The occurrence probability may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with a plurality of the symbols on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with all of the symbols on one of the reels.

At least one terminating condition may be associated with each reel.

The terminating condition may be at least one terminator symbol on the reels, and the reel may be deactivated when the terminator symbol is indicated on the reel.

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The gaming device may also include a termination award associated with the terminating condition.

The processor may deactivate all of the reels when at least one terminating condition occurs on at least one of the reels.

The processor may deactivate a plurality of the reels when at least one terminating condition occurs on at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may further include an occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition. The processor may randomly determine whether the terminating condition occurs based on the occurrence probability.

The occurrence probability may be different for at least one reel.

The occurrence probability may increase after at least one occurrence of the terminating condition on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition may increase after at least one activation of the reels if the terminating condition does not occur.

The occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition may increase after a plurality of activations of the reels where the terminating condition does not occur.

The occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition may increase after each activation of the reels where the terminating condition does not occur.

The terminating condition may include a plurality of activations associated with each reel and each reel may deactivate when the plurality of activations occurs for the reel.

The plurality of activations may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one number of activations has a higher probability of being selected than another number of activations.

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The terminating condition may include a total number of activations of the reels. All of the reels may deactivate when the total number of activations of the reels occurs.

The terminating condition may include a total number of activations of the reels. At least one of the reels may deactivate when the total number of activations of the reels occurs.

The total number of activations of the reels may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one total number of activations of the reels has a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another total number of activations of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a pre-determined total number of activations of the reels. The processor may provide the player with a total activation award if the pre-determined total number of activations of the reels occurs.

The pre-determined total number of activations of the reels may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one pre-determined total number of activations of the reels may have a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another pre-determined total number of activations of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a deactivation probability associated with at least one reel. The processor may randomly determine to deactivate the reel based on the deactivation probability.

The deactivation probability may be different for at least one reel.

The deactivation probability associated with one of the reels may be higher than the deactivation probability associated with another one of the reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after at least one activation of one of the reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after at least one award is provided to the player.

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The stopped reel having an indicated symbol for which an award is provided to the player may be re-activated if no terminating condition occurs on the reel.

A different one of the reels may be activated before one of the reels is reactivated.

One of the reels may be re-activated before a different one of the reels is activated.

Each of the reels may be stopped randomly.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a first display device adapted to display a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, and a second display device separate from the first display device adapted to display a plurality of independently activated reels operated independent of the primary game. The gaming device also includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one indicator associated with each of the reels, and at least one terminating condition associated with each of the reels. The at least one processor is operable to independently activate each of the plurality of reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any of the awards associated with the symbols indicated on the stopped reels, deactivate each of the reels when the terminating condition occurs for the reel, and independently re-activate each stopped reel if the reel is not deactivated.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, a primary game supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player, and a plurality of independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 game. The gaming device also includes a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device further includes a plurality of symbols displayed on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one indicator associated with each of the reels, at least one terminating condition associated with each of the reels, and a triggering event, wherein after the occurrence of the triggering event, for each of the reels. The reel is independently activated, the activated reel is independently stopped to cause the indicator to indicate one of the symbols on the reel, any of the awards associated with the symbol indicated on the stopped reel is provided to the player, the stopped reel is deactivated if the terminating condition occurs for the reel, and these steps are repeated until the reel is deactivated.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game. The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes at least two independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game, and a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device further includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one terminator symbol on at least one of the reels, and an indicator associated with each of the reels, wherein each of the reels is independently activated, each of the reels is independently stopped, any of the awards associated with the symbols indicated on the stopped reels is provided to a player, at least one of the reels is deactivated if the terminator symbol is

CA 02461640 2007-08-01 indicated on the reel, and each stopped reel which is not deactivated is independently re-activated until a termination condition is reached.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

The gaming device may also include an activation initiator. The activation initiator may be adapted to receive an input from the player.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of terminator symbols on at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a plurality of indicators associated with at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may further include a display device for displaying the reels.

The gaming device may also include a plurality of simultaneously activated reels.

The gaming device may also include an indication probability associated with each symbol. The symbol to be indicated on each reel may be determined based on the indication probabilities.

A plurality of the indication probabilities may be the same.

An occurrence probability associated with the terminator symbol on one of the reels may be higher than the indication probability associated with at least one symbol on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminator symbol on one of the reels may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with all of the symbols on one of the reels.

The awards have probabilities of being provided to the player. The awards to be associated with the symbols may be determined based on the probabilities.

A plurality of the probabilities may be different.

The indicator may be at least one payline.

All of the reels may be deactivated when at least one terminator symbol is indicated on each of the reels.

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The terminator symbol may be associated with an award.

The reels may be activated after a bonus game is triggered.

The bonus game may end when a terminator symbol is indicated on each reel.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes at least two independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game, and a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device further includes a plurality of symbols on each of the reels, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one terminating condition associated with each of the reels, and at least one independent indicator associated with each of the reels. The gaming device also includes an indication probability associated with each symbol. One symbol has a higher probability of being indicated than another of the symbols. The gaming device also includes an occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition. One terminating condition has a higher probability of occurring than another of the terminating conditions. The at least one processor is operable to independently activate each of the reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any award associated with the symbols indicated on the stopped reels based on the indication probabilities, de-activate the reels when the terminating condition occurs for the reels based on the occurrence probabilities, and independently reactivate each of the stopped reels if the reels are not deactivated.

The independently activated reels mat be part of a primary game operable upon a wager.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

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The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may be higher than the indication probability associated with at least one symbol.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with a plurality of the symbols.

The occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition may be higher than the indication probabilities associated with all of the symbols.

The occurrence probability may be different for at least one reel.

The occurrence probability may increase after at least one occurrence of the terminating condition on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability associated with each terminating condition may increase after at least one activation of the reels if the terminating condition does not occur.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes at least two independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game. The gaming device further includes a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device also further includes a plurality of symbols on each of the reels, a plurality of low value awards associated with the symbols on at least one of the reels, a plurality of large value awards associated with the symbols on at least one of the reels, and an activation probability associated with at least one reel. Each reel is activated based on the activation probability associated with the reel. The gaming device may also include a terminating condition associated with each of the reels, and an indicator associated with each of the reels. The at least one processor is operable to independently activate each of the reels,

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any award associated with the symbols indicated on the stopped reels, de-activate the reels when the terminating condition occurs for the reel, and independently re-activate each of the stopped reel if the reels are not deactivated.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

An activation probability may be associated with the reels having large value awards and an activation probability may be associated with the reels having low value awards and the probability of being activated associated with the reels having large value awards may be lower than the probability associated with the reels having low value awards.

The activation probability may be different for at least one reel.

The activation probability associated with one reel may be higher than the activation probability associated with another reel.

The activation probability may decrease after at least one activation of one of the reels.

The activation probability may decrease after at least one award is provided to the player.

The awards may have probabilities of being provided to the player. The processor may determine the generation of the symbols based on the probabilities.

A plurality of the probabilities may be different.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes a plurality of independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game, and a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device further includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, an indicator associated with each of the reels, and a terminating condition. The at least one processor is operable to independently activate each of the reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any of the awards associated with the symbol indicated on the stopped reels, deactivate at least one of the reels when the terminating condition occurs, and independently re-activate each of the stopped reels if the reels are not deactivated. The gaming device also further includes an occurrence probability associated with the terminating condition, wherein the processor determines whether the terminating condition will occur during the reel activations based on the occurrence probability.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

The occurrence probability may be the same for each reel.

The occurrence probability may be different for each reel.

The occurrence probability may be different for a plurality of reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after each activation of the reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after a plurality of activations of the reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after each occurrence of the terminating condition on one of the reels.

The occurrence probability may increase after a plurality of terminating conditions occur on the reels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes a plurality of independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game, and a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device further includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one indicator associated with each of the reels, and a number of activations greater than one. The at least one processor is operable to randomly determine the number of activations, associate the number of activations with at least one reel, independently activate each of the reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any of the awards associated with the symbols indicated on the stopped reels, deactivate at least one of the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reel or the reels, and independently re-activate each of the stopped reels if the reels are not deactivated.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game. The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

The processor may determine the number of activations based on a probability associated with each number of activations. The probability associated with one number of activations is higher than the probability associated with another number of activations.

The number of activations may be the same for each reel.

The number of activations may be different for each reel.

The number of activations may be different for a plurality of reels.

The processor may deactivate a plurality of the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reels.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations occurs for at least one of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a pre-determined total number of activations of the reels. The processor may provide the player with an award if the pre-determined total number of activations of the reels occurs.

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The pre-determined total number of activations of the reels may be associated with a probability of being selected by the processor such that one pre-determined total number of activations of the reels has a higher probability of being selected by the processor than another pre-determined total number of activations of the reels.

The gaming device may further include a deactivation probability associated with at least one of the reels. The processor may randomly determine to deactivate the reel based on the deactivation probability.

The deactivation probabilities for at least two reels may be different.

The deactivation probability may increase after at least one activation of one of the reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after at least one award is provided to the player.

The deactivation probability associated with one reel may be higher than the deactivation probability associated with another reel.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes a plurality of independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game. The gaming device further includes a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device also further includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one indicator associated with each of the reels, and a deactivation probability associated with at least one reel. The at least one processor is operable to independently activate each of the reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any of the awards associated with the symbol indicated on the stopped

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 reels, randomly deactivate at least one of the reels based on the deactivation probability for that reel, and independently re-activate each of the stopped reels if the reels are not deactivated.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The independently activated reels may be part of a secondary game.

The deactivation probability may be the same for each reel.

The deactivation probability may be different for each reel.

The deactivation probability may be different for a plurality of reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after each activation of one of the reels.

The deactivation probability may increase after a plurality of activations of one of the reels.

The gaming device may also include a number of activations associated with each reel.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations occurs for one of the reels.

The gaming device may further include a number of activations associated with a plurality of the reels.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations occurs for the reels.

The gaming device may also include a number of activations associated with all of the reels.

An award may be provided to a player when the number of activations occurs for all of the reels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming device operable under the control of at least one processor. The gaming device includes a cabinet, and a primary game controlled by the at least one processor, supported by the cabinet in a first position and operable upon a wager by a player. The gaming device also includes a bonus game including a plurality of independently activated mechanical reels supported by the cabinet in at least

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CA 02461640 2007-08-01 one second position separate from the first position and operated independent of the primary game. The gaming device further includes a display device supported by the cabinet and operable with the at least one processor to display the primary game. The gaming device also further includes a plurality of symbols on each reel, a plurality of awards associated with the symbols, at least one indicator associated with each of the reels, and a number of activations associated with each reel. The at least one processor is operable to randomly determine the number of activations for each reel, independently activate each of the reels, independently stop each of the reels, provide the player any of the awards associated with the symbol indicated on the stopped reels, deactivate the stopped reels when the number of activations has occurred for that reel, and independently re-activate each of the stopped reels if the reels are not deactivated.

The independently activated reels may be part of the primary game.

The number of activations may be the same for each reel.

The number of activations may be different for each reel.

The gaming device may also include a number of activations associated with a plurality of reels. The processor may deactivate the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reels.

The gaming device may further include a number of activations associated with all of the reels. The processor may deactivate all of the reels when the number of activations has occurred for the reels.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

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Fig. 1B is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a display device illustrating one embodiment of the present invention wherein the display device includes three mechanical reels.

Figs. 4A to 4G are enlarged elevation views of a display device illustrating an example where the gaming device activates three independent reels in a 10 game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Gaming Device and Electronics

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1A and 1B, 15 gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b illustrate two possible cabinet styles and display arrangements and are collectively referred to herein as gaming device 10. The present invention includes the game (described below)

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b illustrate two possible cabinet styles and display arrangements and are collectively referred to herein as gaming device 10. The present invention includes the game (described below) being a stand alone game or a bonus or secondary game that coordinates with a base game. When the game of the present invention is a bonus game, gaming device 10 in one base game is a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine, wherein the player operates the gaming device while standing or sitting. Gaming device 10 also includes being a pub-style or table-top game (not shown), which a player 10 operates while sitting.

The base games of the gaming device 10 include slot, poker, blackjack or keno, among others. The gaming device 10 also embodies any bonus triggering events, bonus games as well as any progressive game coordinating with these base games. The symbols and indicia used for any of the base, 15 bonus and progressive games include mechanical, electronic or video symbols and indicia.

In a stand alone or a bonus embodiment, the gaming device 10 includes monetary input devices. Figs. 1A and 1B illustrate a coin slot 12 for coins or tokens and/or a payment acceptor 14 for cash money. The payment acceptor 20 14 also includes other devices for accepting payment, such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or smart cards, tickets, notes, etc. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by 25 pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the credit display 16 decreases by

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one. A player may “cash out” by pushing a cash out button 26 to receive coins or tokens in the coin payout tray 28 or other forms of payment, such as an amount printed on a ticket or credited to a credit card, debit card or smart card.

Well known ticket printing and card reading machines (not illustrated) are commercially available.

Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1A includes a central display device 30 having a plurality of mechanical reels 100 that physically spin in front of a player. An 10 alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 1B includes a central display device 30 as well as an upper display device 32. The upper display device 32 displays the reels 100 of the present invention in a video format.

The display devices display any visual representation or exhibition, including but not limited to movement of physical objects such as mechanical 15 reels and wheels, dynamic lighting and video images. The display device includes any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other static or dynamic display mechanism. In a video poker, blackjack or other card gaming machine embodiment, the display device includes displaying one or more cards. In a keno embodiment, the 20 display device includes displaying numbers.

The slot machine base game of gaming device 10 preferably displays a plurality of reels 34, preferably three to five reels 34, in mechanical or video form on one or more of the display devices. As seen in Fig. 1C, one embodiment of the present invention includes more than one set of reels. 25 Each reel set may be in video or mechanical form. Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device displaying the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor. Each base game, especially in 30 the slot machine base game of the gaming device 10, includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.

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Referring now to Fig. 2, a general electronic configuration of the gaming device 10 for the stand alone and bonus embodiments described above preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a central display device 30; an upper display device 32 or 5 reels 100 in a mechanical format of the bonus game; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40 10 includes random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40 also includes read only memory (ROM) 48 for storing program code, which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the player preferably uses the input devices 44 to input signals into gaming device 10. In the slot machine base game, the input devices 44 include the pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26. A touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 and processor 38. The terms “computer” or 20 “controller” are used herein to refer collectively to the processor 38, the memory device 40, the sound card 42, the touch screen controller and the video controller 54.

In certain instances, it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitor 25 display device. The touch screen enables a player to input decisions into the gaming device 10 by sending a discrete signal based on the area of the touch screen 50 that the player touches or presses. As further illustrated in Fig. 2, the processor 38 connects to the coin slot 12 or payment acceptor 14, whereby the processor 38 requires a player to deposit a certain amount of 30 money in to start the game.

It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 invention also includes being implemented via one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC’s), one or more hard-wired devices, or one or more mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a processor). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside in each gaming device 10 unit, the present invention includes providing some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like.

With reference to the slot machine base game of Figs. 1A and 1B, to 10 operate the gaming device 10, the player inserts the appropriate amount of tokens or money in the coin slot 12 or the payment acceptor 14 and then pulls the arm 18 or pushes the play button 20. The reels 34 then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels 34 again. Depending upon where the 15 reels 34 stop, the player may or may not win additional credits.

In addition to winning base game credits, the gaming device 10, including any of the base games disclosed above, also includes bonus games that give players the opportunity to win credits. The gaming device 10 preferably employs a video-based display device 30 or 32 for the bonus 20 games. The bonus games include a program that automatically begins when the player achieves a qualifying condition in the base game.

In the slot machine embodiment, the qualifying condition includes a particular symbol or symbol combination generated on a display device. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the qualifying 25 condition includes the number seven appearing on, e.g., three adjacent reels 34 along a payline 56. It should be appreciated that the present invention includes one or more paylines, such as payline 56, wherein the paylines can be horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof. An alternative scatter pay qualifying condition includes the number seven appearing on, e.g., three 30 adjacent reels 34 but not necessarily along a payline 56, appearing on any different set of reels 34 three times or appearing anywhere on the display device the necessary number of times.

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909

Bonus Game

Referring now to Fig. 3, the gaming device 10 includes three independently activated reels 100. It should be appreciated however that the gaming device 10 may include any suitable number of reels desired by the 5 game implementor. In one preferred embodiment, the reels 100 are mechanical reels mounted to the cabinet as generally illustrated in Fig. 1A. In another embodiment, the reels 100 are in a video format as generally illustrated in Fig. 1B. The reels 100 are positioned in any order or pattern as desired. In one embodiment, each reel 100 includes a plurality of award 10 symbols 110 and a terminating condition such as a terminator or terminator symbol 112. The terminating condition deactivates a reel and the reel cannot be re-activated in the game. It should be appreciated that the terminating condition may be a terminator symbol associated with each reel. It should also be appreciated that the terminating condition may be based on a determination 15 by the processor. It should be further appreciated that a terminating condition may be associated with a bonus game instead of one or more reels.

In one embodiment, each terminating condition is associated with a probability of occurring in a game such that the probability of one terminating condition occurring in a game is higher than another terminating condition 20 occurring in a game. The probability of the terminating condition occurring may be higher than, equal to, or less than the probabilities of being indicated associated with an award symbol, a plurality of award symbols or all of the award symbols on the reels. Furthermore in another embodiment, the occurrence probability or probability of occurring associated with a terminating 25 condition increases after each activation of a reel or reels, or after a plurality of activations of a reel or reels. The probability of occurring also may increase after a termination condition occurs in a game or after a plurality of terminating conditions occur in a game. It should be appreciated that the probability of occurring associated with a terminating condition may be the same for each 30 reel, different for each reel or different for a plurality of reels.

An award indicator such as payline 114a, 114b and 114c, which indicates an award symbol 110 or a terminator symbol 112, is associated with

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 each reel. In the illustrated embodiments, the gaming device includes three reels 100 which are designated as reels 102, 104 and 106. A total award display 108 displays the total award accumulated by a player in a game.

In one embodiment, the award symbols 110 are associated with awards that represent a number of credits to be provided to the player. However, it should be appreciated that an award does not have to be associated with each award symbol and that a multiplier, zero award, negative award or other type of modifier may be associated with One or more award symbols on the reels 100.

In one embodiment, the terminating condition is a terminator symbol or terminator 112 which ends the activation or deactivates a reel in a bonus game when the terminator symbol is indicated on the reel. The terminator symbol in Fig. 3 is illustrated as a frowning face, however, the terminator symbol may be designated with any symbol, character, image, design or sound as desired by 15 the game implementor. In this embodiment, the reels 102, 104 and 106 each preferably include one terminator symbol 112. However, it should be appreciated that the reels 102, 104 and 106 may each include one or more terminator symbols as further discussed below.

An independent award indicator such as paylines 114a, 114b, or 114c, is associated with each reel 102, 104 and 106. The award indicators indicate a symbol on the reel. In this embodiment, each reel 102, 104 and 106 includes one payline 114a, 114b, and 114c, respectively. It should be appreciated however, each reel may include any suitable number of award indicators. It should also be appreciated that the award indicators may be any 25 suitable indicator.

The gaming device preferably includes a total award display 108 which indicates the value of the bonus award that the player has accumulated at each point during the bonus game. When the bonus game ends, the bonus award identified in the award display 108 is transferred to the player’s credit 30 meter or display in a conventional manner.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the bonus game is triggered from a base game. The gaming device displays three reels 102, 104

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 and 106 to the player. The gaming device then activates or spins all three reels 102, 104 and 106 simultaneously. In this embodiment, the gaming device randomly stops one of the reels. When the selected reel stops an award symbol 110 or a terminator symbol 112 is indicated by an award 5 indicator such as a payline, on that reel. If an award symbol is indicated, the award associated with the award symbol is transferred to the total award display 108. The gaming device then re-activates that reel. However, if a terminator symbol 112 is indicated on the payline, the reel is deactivated and the gaming device does not activate that reel during that remainder of the 10 bonus game. It should be appreciated, however, that a terminating condition such as a terminator symbol 112 may deactivate one reel, a plurality of the reels, or all the reels in a bonus game. The gaming device continues to select and stop one reel from the three reels 102, 104 and 106, until a terminator symbol is indicated on the paylines of each reel. Once a terminator symbol 15 112 is indicated on each payline 114a, 114b and 114c on each reel 102, 104 and 106, respectively, the bonus game ends and the player receives the total award indicated in the total award display 108. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may activate one reel several times, alternately activate a plurality of reels, or activate any combination of reels.

Referring now to Figs. 4A through 4G, an example of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where the gaming device activates three reels 102, 104 and 106 in a bonus game. In this example, the reels include award symbols 110 and terminating conditions, which are terminator symbols 112. The reels also include award indicators 114a, 114b and 114c, which are 25 paylines. The award indicators indicate whether the player receives an award symbol 110 or a terminator symbol 112. Furthermore, the plurality of awards associated with each reel preferably vary in value. In this example, the lowest awards are associated with reel 102 and the largest awards are associated with reel 106. It should be appreciated that any suitable number and value of 30 awards may be associated with each reel.

In Fig. 4A, the gaming device begins the bonus game by activating all three reels 102, 104 and 106. Then the gaming device randomly selects and

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 stops one of the reels. In another embodiment, the player selects which reel will stop. In this example, the gaming device stopped reel 102. The player obtained an award of seven as indicated on payline 114a on reel 102. The award of seven is transferred to the total award display as indicated by the 5 total award display 108. All three reels 102, 104 and 106 are still activated because a terminator symbol 112 has not been indicated on a selected reel. The gaming device re-activates reel 102 and now all three reels 102, 104 and 106 are activated in the game.

In Fig. 4B, the gaming device randomly stops reel 106. An award of 10 sixty is indicated on payline 114c on reel 106. The award of sixty is transferred to the player’s total award in total award display 108. The player’s new total award is sixty-seven as indicated by the total award display 108. The gaming device re-activates reel 106 because a terminator symbol was not indicated on the reel. All three reels 102, 104 and 106 are still activated in the bonus game 15 and the player still has an opportunity to obtain awards from each reel.

In Fig. 4C, the gaming device randomly selects reel 102 and stops that reel. A terminator symbol 112 is indicated on payline 114a on reel 102. The terminator symbol 112 deactivates reel 102. Therefore, the gaming device will not re-activate reel 102 again in this bonus game. Furthermore, the player will 20 not receive any further awards from reel 102 during this bonus game. Reels 104 and 106 remain activated in the bonus game. Now, the player can only obtain awards from reels 104 and 106. The player’s total award remains unchanged as indicated by the total award display 108.

In Fig. 4D, reels 104 and 106 are activated and reel 102 is not activated 25 because it was deactivated by a terminator symbol. The gaming device randomly selects reel 106 and stops that reel. Although reel 106 stops, reel 104 remains activated in the bonus game. A terminator symbol 112 is indicated on payline 114c on reel 106. The terminator symbol 112 causes the processor of the gaming device to deactivate reel 106. Therefore, the gaming 30 device will not re-activate reel 106 during this bonus game. In this embodiment, the player does not receive an award for obtaining a terminator symbol 112 and therefore the player’s total award of sixty-seven remains

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 unchanged as indicated by the total award display 108. It should be appreciated that terminator symbol may be associated with an award. There is only one reel still activated, reel 104, in the bonus game. Thus, the player can only obtain awards from reel 104.

In Fig. 4E, the gaming device stops reel 104 because reel 104 is the only active reel remaining in the bonus game. The player obtains an award of eight as indicated on payline 114b on reel 104. The award of eight is transferred to the player’s total award and the player’s new total award is seventy-five as indicated by the total award display 108. The player did not 10 receive a terminator symbol on the reel 104 and therefore the gaming device re-activates reel 104. The player has further opportunities to obtain or accumulate more awards.

In Fig. 4F, the gaming device selects and stops reel 104. Again the gaming device selects reel 104 because reel 104 is the only active reel 15 remaining in the bonus game. An award of five is indicated on payline 114b on reel 104. The award of five is transferred and added to the player’s total award as indicated by the total award display 108. The player now has a total award of eighty. As indicated or shown in Fig. 4F, reels 102 and 106 are deactivated and therefore are not re-activated in the bonus game. The gaming device now 20 re-activates reel 104.

In Fig. 4G, the gaming device selects reel 104 and stops reel 104. A terminator symbol 112 is indicated on payline 114b on reel 104. The terminator symbol 112 causes the processor to deactivate reel 104 and therefore the gaming device will not re-activate reel 104 again in this bonus 25 game. Furthermore, since all of the reels 102, 104 and 106 are deactivated, the bonus game ends. The player receives the total award of eighty as indicated in the total award display 108. The total award of eighty is transferred to a player’s credit display in a conventional manner.

In a further embodiment, the reels 100 include a plurality of terminator symbols. The additional terminator symbols on each reel 100 make it more likely that a player will obtain a terminator symbol on a reel 100.

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The awards symbols 110 and terminator symbols 112 on the reels 100 are preferably associated with probabilities of being indicated on the paylines. The probabilities may be any probabilities of being indicated by an award indicator as desired by the game implementor. In one embodiment, the 5 probabilities associated with the award symbols 110 are higher than the probabilities associated with the terminator symbols 112. It should also be appreciated that the probabilities associated with the terminator symbols 112 may be higher than the probabilities associated with the award symbols 110. In another embodiment, the probability of being selected by the processor 10 associated with the terminator symbol 112 is higher than the probability associated with one award symbol, a plurality of award symbols or all of the award symbols. Probabilities may also be associated with the awards. In this embodiment, the probability associated with one award value is higher than the probability associated with another award value. It should thus be 15 appreciated that each reel may have a separate associated probability table.

In a further embodiment, the gaming device predetermines a total award to provide to the player. The gaming device then repeatedly indicates award symbols on the reels until the awards associated with the award symbols accumulate to equal the predetermined total award. A probability of 20 being selected by the processor is preferably associated with each total award such that the probability of one total award is higher than the probability of another total award.

The reels 100 may also be associated with award values such that one reel may have relatively low award values and another reel may have relatively 25 large award values. It should be appreciated that the reels may include any type of awards including low awards, large awards or any combination of low and large awards. In this embodiment, the awards are associated with activation probabilities such that the probability of a reel having relatively low awards being activated by the processor is higher than a reel having relatively 30 large awards being activated by the processor. It should be appreciated that a reel having relatively large awards may be associated with a higher probability than the probability associated with a reel having relatively low awards.

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In another embodiment, the gaming device does not activate all the reels at the beginning of a bonus game. Instead, the gaming device randomly selects and activates one of the reels. The player receives an award if an award symbol is indicated on the reel. If a terminating condition occurs, the 5 reel is deactivated. Therefore, the gaming device will not activate or reactivate that reel again in the bonus game. The gaming device will then select and activate or re-activate one of the other reels remaining in the bonus game. In this embodiment, the gaming device only activates a selected reel. Therefore, the gaming device will continue to select and activate or re-activate 10 one reel out of the plurality of reels until a terminating condition occurs on each selected reel or in the game. When a terminating condition occurs for each reel or in a bonus game, the reels are deactivated and the bonus game ends. The player receives the total award indicated by the total award display 108.

In another embodiment, the awards associated with the awards 15 symbols on a reel increment after the reel is re-activated in a game. It should be appreciated that the award values may be increased, decreased or unchanged after the gaming device increments the awards on the reels. Furthermore, the gaming device may increment the award values by a predetermined amount or a random amount as desired by the game 20 implementor.

In another embodiment, the terminating condition is determined by the processor based on deactivation probabilities associated with each reel. The deactivation probability is the probability that the processor will deactivate a reel. After a reel stops, the processor randomly deactivates that reel based on 25 the deactivation probability for that reel. For example, a reel has a deactivation probability of 50%. Therefore, it is equally likely that the reel will be re-activated after being stopped by the processor as deactivated. If the deactivation probability is 80%, then it is more likely that the reel will be deactivated by the processor than activated or re-activated. Any suitable 30 probabilities may be associated with a reel, a plurality of reels or all of the reels. It should be appreciated that a probability that a reel will be activated by the processor may also be associated with the reels. Once all of the reels in a

CA 02461640 2004-03-25

WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 game are deactivated, the game ends.

In a further embodiment, the deactivation probability increases after each activation of a reel. Thus, the player’s chances of obtaining more award becomes more difficult as the game progresses. In another embodiment, the 5 deactivation probability increases after a plurality of activations of each reel or a plurality of reels.

In another embodiment, the terminating condition is determined by the processor where each reel is associated with a predetermined number of activations. When there are no activations remaining for a reel, the processor 10 deactivates the reel and that reel can no longer be re-activated during the game. When all of the reels are deactivated, the game ends. It should be appreciated that a pre-determined number of activations may be associated with one reel, a plurality of reels or all of the reels in a game. It should also be appreciated that a probability is associated with the number of activations such 15 that the probability of one number of activations being selected by the processor is higher than the probability associated with another number of activations. Preferably, the number of activations associated with a reel or reels is not displayed or shown to the player. However, it should be appreciated that the number of activations may be displayed to the player as 20 desired.

In a further embodiment, the processor associates a pre-determined number of activations with at least one reel where an award is provided to a player if the predetermined number of activations occurs for that reel. In another embodiment, the processor associates a predetermined number of 25 activations with a plurality of reels such that the gaming device provides an award to the player if the pre-determined number of activations occurs for the plurality of reels. In still a further embodiment, the processor associates a predetermined number of activations with all of the reels in a game so the player receives an award if the pre-determined number of activations occurs for all of 30 the reels. It should be appreciated that a probability of being selected by the processor is associated with the number of activations such that the probability associated with one number of activations is higher than the probability

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 associated with another number of activations.

In another embodiment, a number of activations is determined by the processor and associated with at least one reel in the bonus game. The number of activations is preferably associated with a probability of being 5 selected by the processor such that the probability associated with one number of activations is higher than the probability associated with another number of activations. The number of activations may be associated with one reel, a plurality of reels or all of the reels. Furthermore, the number of activations may be the same for each reel or different for each reel. The 10 processor deactivates a reel or reels, when the number of activations occurs for that reel or reels. When all of the reels are deactivated the bonus game ends and the player receives the total award for the bonus game.

In a further embodiment, a probability of deactivation is associated with at least one reel where the processor determines whether to deactivate a reel 15 based on the probabilities. The deactivation probability may be the same or different for each reel. In one embodiment, the deactivation probability increases after each activation of a reel or after a plurality of activations of a reel or reels. For example, the deactivation probability may be 50% for all the reels in a bonus game. After one reel is deactivated, the deactivation 20 probability increases to 60% for the remaining reels. The deactivation probability continues to increase until all of the reels are deactivated. Therefore, it becomes more difficult to obtain awards in the bonus game as the game progresses. It should be appreciated that the activation probability may increase by a pre-determined amount or a random amount.

In another embodiment, a deactivation probability and a number of activations is associated with a reel, a plurality of reels or all of the reels. In this embodiment, the player receives an award if the number of activations occurs for the reel, plurality of reels or all of the reels before the reel or reels are deactivated by the processor.

It should be appreciated that the present invention may include one or more activators or activation initiators in communication with the processor which enables the player to select which reel or reels to activate, and to stop

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WO 03/026761 PCT/US02/30909 the activation of the reels.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without 5 departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.