Device to Automatically Change Award Parameters for a Gaming Machine

Abstract

A control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines selects one or more of the active machines to be set to an enhanced play mode. The selection may be random or based on other factors. During the enhanced play mode, the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, and the game parameters, other than the award amounts may be changed. In one embodiment, the control unit changes the win frequency of awards granted by the combinations of symbols throughout the entire enhanced play mode. In another embodiment, the symbols forming all combinations of symbols during the enhanced play mode are the same symbols used in the non-enhanced mode for forming symbol combinations.

1 . A gaming device for use in combination with a network of gaming machines, the gaming machines randomly displaying combinations of symbols, certain symbol combinations being winning combinations providing an award for a player, the gaming machines providing a first set of awards for respective symbol combinations in a non-enhanced play mode, the device comprising: 
 a control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines,    the control unit selecting one or more of the gaming machines for operating in an enhanced play mode for periods of time, causing the selected one or more gaming machines to provide a second set of awards for the respective symbol combinations, the second set of awards being more advantageous to players than the first set of awards,    the control unit causing game parameters in addition to awards to be changed in the selected one or more gaming machines during the enhanced play mode, wherein the control unit changes the win frequency of awards granted by the combinations of symbols throughout the entire enhanced play mode in the selected one or more gaming machines, the control unit changing the win frequency automatically independent of any player selection during a game.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second set of awards comprises multiples of certain awards in the first set of awards.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second set of awards provides awards for symbol combinations that provide no award when not in the enhanced play mode.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  where the second set of awards comprises awards that have been increased over the first set of awards to predetermined maximum levels.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit, when selecting the one or more of the gaming machines, randomly selects one or more of the gaming machines at random times.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit selecting one or more of the gaming machines only selects gaming machines that have credits.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit maintains the enhanced play mode for a random duration.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit maintains the enhanced play mode for the selected one or more gaming machines based on a number of games played during the enhanced play mode.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit maintains the duration of the enhanced play mode for the selected one or more gaming machines based on the amount of awards received by players during the enhanced play mode.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit terminates the enhanced play mode for the selected one or more gaming machines when the total award granted to the selected one or more gaming machines exceeds a certain amount.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit changes the pay loading of awards granted by the selected one or more gaming machines during the enhanced play mode.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming device for use in combination with a network of gaming machines, the gaming machines randomly displaying combinations of symbols, certain symbol combinations being winning combinations providing an award for a player, the gaming machines providing a first set of awards for respective symbol combinations in a non-enhanced play mode, the device comprising: 
 a control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines,    the control unit selecting one or more of the gaming machines for operating in an enhanced play mode for periods of time, causing the selected one or more gaming machines to provide a second set of awards for the respective symbol combinations, the second set of awards being more advantageous to players than the first set of awards,    the control unit causing game parameters in addition to awards to be changed in the selected one or more gaming machines during the enhanced play mode,    wherein the control unit changes the symbol combinations that are winning combinations on the selected one or more gaming machines during the enhanced play mode, wherein the symbols forming all combinations of symbols during the enhanced play mode are the same symbols used in the non-enhanced mode for forming symbol combinations.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a jackpot display displaying a common jackpot to the plurality of gaming machines, wherein the control unit controls the jackpot display, wherein all or a portion of an amount displayed by the jackpot display is awarded to a gaming machine displaying a jackpot symbol combination.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit comprises a microprocessor.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit receives a signal from one or more of the gaming machines that a gaming machine is eligible for being selected for play in the enhanced play mode upon the gaming machine receiving a wager.  
   
   
       16 . A method performed by a control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines, the gaming machines randomly displaying combinations of symbols, certain symbol combinations being winning combinations providing an award for a player, the gaming machines providing a first set of awards for respective symbol combinations in a non-enhanced play mode, the method comprising: 
 selecting one or more of the gaming machines for operating in an enhanced play mode for periods of time, causing the selected one or more gaming machines to provide a second set of awards for the respective symbol combinations, the second set of awards being more advantageous to players than the first set of awards; and    causing game parameters in addition to awards to be changed in the selected one or more gaming machines during the enhanced play mode, the causing game parameters in addition to awards to be changed comprising changing symbol combinations that are winning combinations on the selected one or more gaming machines during the enhanced play mode, wherein the symbols forming all combinations of symbols during the enhanced play mode are the same symbols used in the non-enhanced mode for forming symbol combinations.