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US5067712A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multiple-pull slot machine

Assignee: Hilton Nevada Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-02
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2009-02-02
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Abstract

Abstract An amusement apparatus of the type typically referred to as a slot machine, wherein a complete game of said apparatus consists of at least two complete playing cycles if a prize winning result does not occur at the end of the first cycle, whereby each cycle involves separate pulls of the handle of said apparatus. If at the end of a first playing cycle, the player obtains a winning combination of symbols, the game is terminated and the player is awarded a prize; if at the end of a first playing cycle the player obtains a non-winning combination of symbols, at least a second separate cycle can be played, the conclusion of which terminates the game.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael Georgilas

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 12:23
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3244; G07F17/326; G07F17/3267; G07F17/34

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 267 words
An amusement apparatus having a plurality of rotating reels, arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each bearing a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface thereof, certain combinations of which have different values which may entitle a player to a prize, and including: means for accepting a playing disc to initiate a game by rotation of said reels; means for analyzing and calculating the probability of obtaining certain combinations of said symbols during a first playing cycle; means for arresting rotation of said reels at the end of said first cycle to display a first combination of symbols; means for discriminating between a winning combination of symbols and a losing combination of symbols and a losing combination of symbols at the end of said first cycle; means for discontinuing said first cycle and awarding a prize to said player upon the occurrence of a winning combination of symbols; means for allowing activation of said reels for at least one other cycle at the end of each of said first cycle upon the occurrence of a losing combination of symbols; means for automatically analyzing, calculating and altering the probability of obtaining certain combinations of symbols during said other cycle, said automatic altering being relative to said probability of obtaining certain combinations in said first playing cycle; means for arresting rotation of said reels at the end of said other cycle to display a different combination of symbols; and means for discontinuing said other cycle upon the occurrence of a losing combination of symbols or awarding a prize to said player upon the occurrence of a winning combination of symbols.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 267 words
An amusement apparatus having a plurality of rotating reels, arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each bearing a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface thereof, certain combinations of which have different values which may entitle a player to a prize, and including: means for accepting a playing disc to initiate a game by rotation of said reels; means for analyzing and calculating the probability of obtaining certain combinations of said symbols during a first playing cycle; means for arresting rotation of said reels at the end of said first cycle to display a first combination of symbols; means for discriminating between a winning combination of symbols and a losing combination of symbols and a losing combination of symbols at the end of said first cycle; means for discontinuing said first cycle and awarding a prize to said player upon the occurrence of a winning combination of symbols; means for allowing activation of said reels for at least one other cycle at the end of each of said first cycle upon the occurrence of a losing combination of symbols; means for automatically analyzing, calculating and altering the probability of obtaining certain combinations of symbols during said other cycle, said automatic altering being relative to said probability of obtaining certain combinations in said first playing cycle; means for arresting rotation of said reels at the end of said other cycle to display a different combination of symbols; and means for discontinuing said other cycle upon the occurrence of a losing combination of symbols or awarding a prize to said player upon the occurrence of a winning combination of symbols.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said means for automatically analyzing, calculating and altering combinations of said symbols during said other cycle decreases the probability of winning combinations of said symbols relative to the probability of obtaining winning combinations of said symbols during said first cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said means for automatically analyzing, calculating and altering combinations of said symbols during said other cycle increases the probability of winning combinations of said symbols relative to the probability of obtaining winning combinations of said symbols during said first cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said means for discriminating between a winning combination of symbols and a losing combination of symbols at the end of said first cycle and said other cycle is a computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the playing disc is a non-monetary token.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the playing disc is a monetary token.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 153 words
An amusement apparatus for playing a game having a plurality of rotating reels, arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each bearing a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface thereof, certain combinations of which have different values which may entitle a player to a prize, the apparatus including means for providing at least two playing cycles if a prize winning combination does not occur at the end of the first cycle, said cycles consisting of at least one complete cyclical rotation and arrest of said reels, wherein after the arrest of said reels the occurrent of a losing combination of symbols on said reels at the end of the first playing cycle initiates at least one additional playing cycle, and means for automatically altering the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination during said at least one additional playing cycle, relative to the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination during said first cycle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 153 words
An amusement apparatus for playing a game having a plurality of rotating reels, arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each bearing a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface thereof, certain combinations of which have different values which may entitle a player to a prize, the apparatus including means for providing at least two playing cycles if a prize winning combination does not occur at the end of the first cycle, said cycles consisting of at least one complete cyclical rotation and arrest of said reels, wherein after the arrest of said reels the occurrent of a losing combination of symbols on said reels at the end of the first playing cycle initiates at least one additional playing cycle, and means for automatically altering the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination during said at least one additional playing cycle, relative to the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination during said first cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
The amusement apparatus of claim 7 whereby the occurrence of a winning combination of symbols on said reels at the end of said first cycle terminates said game.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 115 words
An amusement apparatus having a plurality of rotating reels arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each bearing a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface thereof, certain combinations of which have different values which may entitle a player to a prize, means for providing at least a first and a second playing cycle if a prize winning combination does not occur at the end of the first cycle, said cycles consisting of at least one complete cyclical rotation and arrest of said reels, and means for automatically altering the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination during the second playing cycle, relative to the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination in said first playing cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 115 words
An amusement apparatus having a plurality of rotating reels arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each bearing a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface thereof, certain combinations of which have different values which may entitle a player to a prize, means for providing at least a first and a second playing cycle if a prize winning combination does not occur at the end of the first cycle, said cycles consisting of at least one complete cyclical rotation and arrest of said reels, and means for automatically altering the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination during the second playing cycle, relative to the probability of obtaining a prize winning combination in said first playing cycle.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-11-25 1995-05-27 1995-11-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-11-25 1999-05-27 1999-11-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-11-25 2003-05-27 2003-11-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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