Reel game apparatus for playing sub game and the method thereof

Applicant claims foreign priority under Paris Convention and 35 U.S.C. § 119 to a Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0107181, filed Oct. 24, 2007 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

The present invention relates, in general, to a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, and, more particularly, to a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate various sub-games depending on the appearance of specific symbols on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in a reel game, and which produce scenes, such as ceremonies, by causing character images to appear, thus providing pleasure.

Generally, a slot machine, which is a representative game machine, is operated in such a way that, after a gamer first inserts predetermined coins, sets a betting level, and spins a plurality of reels by manipulating a start button, the gamer stops the reels at his or her desired time, so that predetermined coins are paid when symbols (images, such as images of a watermelon, a bell, and a cherry) are displayed to form a specific combination on display panels corresponding to respective reels. Further, there is a game operation method in which, when a gamer hits the jackpot, he or she is paid a total amount of money accumulated through a plurality of machines.

Further, a conventional reel game is provided in an independent form, or in the form of a combination with other games, such as a medal game or a poker game. In this case, a typical reel game is played in such a way that symbols on respective reels are arranged in a new form as a result of the spinning of the reels, that is, the rotation of the reels, and winnings corresponding to the results of the arrangement are simply given at a time according to the result of the arrangement.

However, the conventional reel game, by which winnings are provided unilaterally and all at one time on the basis of the arrangement of symbols, arbitrarily provided according to programmed game rules, is problematic in that it has limited ability to continuously arouse interest or attract attention during the reel game.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate an independent sub-game without influencing a reel game, depending on the appearance of a specific symbol on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in the reel game, and in which a coin game, one of the sub-games, is played such that coin items drop while moving up/down/left/right according to the elasticity of pins, and such that, when the coin items fall on winning targets, predetermined winnings are provided to a user, so that the user\'s feeling of anticipation is increased and interest is stimulated, thus compensating for the disadvantage of the reel game in that somewhat tedious and identical situations are repeated.

A reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game according to the present invention to accomplish the above object provides a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game, comprising a main game part for spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, in a reel game, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear, and a sub-game part for playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears, wherein the first sub-game is played to give winnings when coin items are generated in the sub-game part and fall on winning targets.

Preferably, the reel game of the main game part may be independently played while the first sub-game is being played.

Preferably, the first sub-game may be played such that a coin discharge part formed in an upper portion of a game screen generates the coin items and drops the coin items down, and such that, when the coin items pass through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins displayed on the game screen and reach the winning targets formed in a lower portion of the game screen, winnings are awarded.

Preferably, the coin discharge part generates the coin items while moving left or right.

Preferably, the fixed pins may form lines while being spaced apart from each other on a game screen of the sub-game part so that fixed pins placed on an upper line and fixed pins on a lower line alternate, the fixed pins emitting light while bouncing the coin items when colliding with the coin items.

Preferably, the winning targets may comprise a plurality of winning targets and continuously move left or right, the winning targets being configured such that different winnings are awarded for respective winning targets when the winning targets collide with the coin items.

Preferably, the sub-game part may operate a second sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of car symbols appears, the second sub-game being played such that, when a car that wins a car racing game is picked, winnings are awarded.

Preferably, the sub-game part may operate a third sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of chance symbols appears, the third sub-game being played such that the main game part operates a sub-reel game, the sub-game part operates a car racing game, and symbols appear to give winnings in the sub-reel game when a car, satisfying a specific condition presented by an indication part, wins the car racing game.

In addition, a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game according to the present invention to accomplish the above object provides a reel game method of playing a sub-game, comprising a main game step of spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear, and a sub-game step of playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears, wherein the first sub-game is played to award winnings when coin items are generated in a sub-game part and fall on winning targets.

Preferably, the first sub-game may comprise a coin generation step of a coin discharge part, which is formed in an upper portion of a game screen, generating the coin items and dropping the coin items down, and a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings when the coin items generated at the coin generation step pass through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins displayed on the game screen and reach the winning targets formed in a lower portion of the game screen.

Preferably, the sub-game step may be performed such that, when the reels stop and a certain number of car symbols appears at the main game step, a second sub-game is played, the second sub-game comprising a racing game step of playing a car racing game, and a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings when a car that wins the car racing game is picked at the racing game step.

Preferably, the sub-game step may be performed such that, when the reels stop and a certain number of chance symbols appears at the main game step, a third sub-game is played, the third sub-game comprising a sub-reel game step of playing a sub-reel game, a car racing game step of playing a car racing game while the sub-reel game is played, and a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings such that, if a car satisfying a specific condition presented by an indication part wins the car racing game at the car racing game step, symbols appear to award winnings at the sub-reel game step.