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Gaming machine with feature triggerRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.)Gaming machine with feature trigger description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060135244, Gaming machine with feature trigger. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a gaming machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine and to an improvement to a game played on such a gaming machine. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Players who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire of particular games and therefore it is necessary for manufacturers of these machines to develop innovative game features which add interest to the games. In so doing, it is hoped to keep players amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game as well as to attract new players. [0003] Also, with the growth that has occurred in the gaming machine market, there is intense competition between manufacturers to supply various existing and new venues. When selecting a supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a venue will often pay close attention to the popularity of various games with their patrons. Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games and/or game features which are popular with the players as a mechanism for improving sales, retaining customers and attracting new customers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, wherein, if in the game, a plurality of die symbols are present on the display means, the die symbols reveal outcomes, at least one of which results in the awarding of a feature. [0005] In this specification, the term "game" is to be understood, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as a base game or a game that has occurred in another feature, for example, a game in a free game series. [0006] The die symbols may change to reveal the outcomes. At least two of the die symbols may be required to initiate the change to reveal outcomes. The die symbols may change by means of an animation technique. [0007] Preferably, the game is a spinning reel game. Thus, the display means may display a simulation of a set of spinning reels. The die symbols may be carried on two different reels, for example, a first reel and a last reel of the set of reels. When the die symbols appear in a display on the display means, the die symbols may animate to reveal the outcomes. It will be appreciated that the animating of the die symbols into the said at least one outcome may act as a trigger condition for the feature. [0008] The trigger condition may be selected from the group including: that the numbers on corresponding faces of the die symbols are the same, that the sum of the numbers on corresponding faces of the die symbols add up at least to a particular amount and that predetermined numbers appear on predetermined faces of the die symbols. This group is not to be considered an exhaustive group and other conditions of the die symbols may constitute the trigger condition. The trigger condition may govern at least one of the type of feature awarded, a characteristic of the feature and a start position in the awarded feature. [0009] The die symbols may animate simultaneously or sequentially. Further, the die symbols may animate automatically. Instead, the die symbols may animate by player intervention. The player intervention may involve the player operating a control means to commence the animation, to stop the animation or both. The control means may be a control switch or button on a midtrim of the gaming machine. [0010] The animation may be an animation of rolling a die. In one embodiment of the invention, when the displayed number on a predetermined face of the die on the first reel matches the number on the corresponding face of the die on the last reel, after the animation of the rolling of each of the dice has stopped, this acts as the trigger condition to award the feature. [0011] The feature may be any bonus feature selected from the group including: a series of free games, a second screen feature, a feature within the existing game display, a top box feature (whether mechanical or otherwise), and a number of free games in an enhanced paytable mode. The preceding list is not to be construed as an exhaustive list and it is contemplated that the feature may encompass other forms of bonus features such as, for example, the paying of a bonus prize. [0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a game to be played on a game playing apparatus, the gaming playing apparatus having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, wherein, if in the game, a plurality of die symbols are present on the display means, the die symbols reveal outcomes, at least one of which results in the awarding of a feature. [0013] A game playing apparatus includes one which does not require the wagering of a stake in order to play the game and further includes apparatus which is connectable to a network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-- [0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a gaming machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0016] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine; [0017] FIG. 3 shows a screen display of a result of a first game played on the gaming machine of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 4 shows a screen display of a result of a subsequent game; [0019] FIGS. 5a to 5c show screen displays of a sequence of events following the game shown in FIG. 4; and [0020] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the game of FIGS. 4 and 5. Continue reading about Gaming machine with feature trigger... Full patent description for Gaming machine with feature trigger Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gaming machine with feature trigger patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Gaming machine with feature trigger or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Multi-player game and gaming system Next Patent Application: Stepper reel and variable cover display for bingo game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Gaming machine with feature trigger patent info. 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