Electronic video gambling device with player controlled amusement feature

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for playing wagering games on an electronic video gaming device in which a player controls an amusement feature of the device by use of a pointing device, such as a trackball. In an exemplary currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic video gaming device comprises a virtual reel video type slot machine including reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling theme, and the amusement feature comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame, in which the player at least partially controls a position of a video representation of a bowling ball by use of a trackball pointing device. Preferably, the amusement feature becomes operative only under certain predetermined or randomly determined conditions, such as when a player obtains one of one or more predetermined winnings of reel symbols operative to initiate a bonus opportunity. The player control input in connection with the amusement feature may be solely for player amusement and have no actual effect on the outcome of any player wager, or may alternatively control, or at least partially control, the outcome of at least a portion of the play on the electronic video gaming device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In combination with an electronic video gaming device including a video screen and means for playing a wagering game, a player amusement feature comprising: 
 means for producing a visual amusement display on said video screen; and    a control input device operative on player manipulation to at least partially control said visual amusement display.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of    claim 1   , wherein said means for producing a visual amusement display on said video screen is operative to produce said visual amusement display only under certain conditions.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of    claim 2   , wherein said certain conditions are predetermined.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of    claim 2   , wherein said certain conditions are randomly determined.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of    claim 2   , wherein said certain conditions are predetermined and occur on a random basis.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of    claim 2   , wherein said certain conditions are at least partial winning conditions of said wagering game.  
     
     
         7 . The combination of    claim 2   , wherein said certain conditions are bonus winning conditions of said wagering game.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of    claim 2   , wherein said certain conditions are bonus opportunity conditions of said wagering game.  
     
     
         9 . The combination of    claim 1   , wherein player input to said control input device at least partially determines the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game.  
     
     
         10 . The combination of    claim 1   , wherein player input to said control input device has no effect on the outcome of said wagering game.  
     
     
         11 . The combination of    claim 1   , wherein said visual amusement display comprises a visual representation of an event determining the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of    claim 11   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device does not affect the outcome of said visual representation of said event.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of    claim 11   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device determines the outcome of said visual representation of said eve nt.  
     
     
         14 . The combination of    claim 11   , wherein said event comprises at least a portion of a bowling frame.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of    claim 14   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device determines an initial position of a visual representation of a bowling ball.  
     
     
         16 . The combination of    claim 14   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device determines at least one rolling condition of a visual representation of a bowling ball on a visual representation of a bowling lane.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of    claim 16   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises rolling release time.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of    claim 16   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises degree of hook.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of    claim 16   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises direction of hook.  
     
     
         20 . The combination of    claim 16   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises approach position.  
     
     
         21 . The combination of    claim 16   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises lane condition.  
     
     
         22 . The combination of    claim 1   , wherein said electronic gaming device comprises a virtual reel type slot machine.  
     
     
         23 . The combination of    claim 22   , wherein said virtual reel type slot machine includes reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling theme.  
     
     
         24 . The combination of    claim 23   , wherein said amusement feature comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame.  
     
     
         25 . A method of playing an electronic video wagering game, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an electronic video gaming device including a video screen and means for playing a wagering game, means for producing a player amusement feature including a visual amusement display on said video screen, and a control input device operative on player manipulation to at least partially control said visual amusement display;    affording a player an opportunity to place at least one wager to participate in said wagering game;    activating said player amusement feature upon occurrence of a bonus activation condition during play of said wagering game; and    affording a player an opportunity to at least partially control said visual amusement display by manipulation of said control input device.    
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said certain conditions are predetermined.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said certain conditions are randomly determined.  
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said certain conditions are predetermined and occur on a random basis.  
     
     
         29 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said certain conditions are at least partial winning conditions of said wagering game.  
     
     
         30 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said certain conditions are bonus winning conditions of said wagering game.  
     
     
         31 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said certain conditions are bonus opportunity conditions of said wagering game.  
     
     
         32 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein player input to said control input device at least partially determines the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game.  
     
     
         33 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein player input to said control input device has no effect on the outcome of said wagering game.  
     
     
         34 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said visual amusement display comprises a visual representation of an event determining the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game.  
     
     
         35 . The method of    claim 34   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device does not affect the outcome of said visual representation of said event.  
     
     
         36 . The method of    claim 34   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device determines the outcome of said visual representation of said event.  
     
     
         37 . The method of    claim 34   , wherein said event comprises at least a portion of a bowling frame.  
     
     
         38 . The method of    claim 37   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device determines an initial position of a visual representation of a bowling ball.  
     
     
         39 . The method of    claim 37   , wherein player manipulation of said control input device determines an initial position of a visual representation of a bowling ball.  
     
     
         40 . The method of    claim 39   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises rolling release time.  
     
     
         41 . The method of    claim 39   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises degree of hook.  
     
     
         42 . The method of    claim 39   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises direction of hook.  
     
     
         43 . The method of    claim 39   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises approach position.  
     
     
         44 . The method of    claim 39   , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprises lane condition.  
     
     
         45 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said electronic gaming device comprises a virtual reel type slot machine.  
     
     
         46 . The method of    claim 45   , wherein said virtual reel type slot machine includes reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling theme.  
     
     
         47 . The method of    claim 46   , wherein said amusement feature comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame.