Device and method for playing a bingo-like game

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device for playing a Bingo-like game by a player. The device includes an input device for receiving user inputs from the player; and a display for displaying a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI includes at least two n column by n row random number display matrices; and a first set of n random number display regions; and at least one actuation icon. The device further includes a processor, responsive to the user inputs, for executing an application program to cause the display of the GUI. The processor includes a first random number generator for generating random numbers to be displayed in at least one of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices; and a second random number generator for generating a first set of random numbers responsive to actuation of the at least one actuation icon. Each random number of the first set is displayed by a respective one of the first of the n random number display regions. Each random number of the first set of random numbers corresponds to two display matrices of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices. The processor further includes comparing means for comparing each of the first set of random numbers with the numbers displayed by the display matrices, and, for each match, the processor automatically covers the corresponding matching numbers displayed by the display matrices; and determining means for determining whether at least one of the at least two display matrices displays a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a row, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a column, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the at least two display matrices have been matched, and, if so, generating a Bingo indication signal for indicating a Bingo condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the disclosed device and method for playing a Bingo-like game will become more readily apparent and may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate display screens of embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate bonus round display screens in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate various payout tables in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a front view of a computing device for playing the game in accordance with the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A device for playing a Bingo-like game by a player, said device comprising: an input device for receiving user inputs from the player;a display for displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) including: at least two n column by n row random number display matrices;a first set of n random number display regions; andat least one actuation icon; anda processor, responsive to the user inputs, for executing an application program to cause the display of the GUI, the processor including: a first random number generator for generating random numbers to be displayed in at least one of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices;a second random number generator for generating a first set of random numbers responsive to actuation of the at least one actuation icon, each random number of the first set is displayed by a respective one of the first of the n random number display regions, each random number of the first set of random numbers corresponds to two display matrices of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices;comparing means for comparing each of the first set of random numbers with the numbers displayed by the display matrices, and, for each match, the processor automatically covers the corresponding matching numbers displayed by the display matrices; anddetermining means for determining whether at least one of the at least two display matrices displays a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a row, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a column, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the at least two display matrices have been matched, and, if so, generating a Bingo indication signal for indicating a Bingo condition.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second set of n random number display regions;a third random number generator for generating a second set of random numbers, responsive to actuation of the at least one actuation icon, each random number of the second set is displayed by a respective one of the second set of the n random number display regions; each random number of the second set of random numbers corresponds to two additional display matrices of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices;comparing means for comparing each of the second set of random numbers with the numbers displayed by the display matrices, and, for each match, the processor automatically covers the corresponding matching number displayed by the display matrices; anddetermining means for determining whether at least one of the at least two additional display matrices displays a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a row, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously numbers matched in a column, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously numbers matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the at least two additional display matrices have been matched, and, if so, generating a Bingo indication signal for indicating a Bingo condition.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a random number of the first set of n random number display regions can match a random number in any column of the respective at least two n column by n row random number display matrices; the first set of n random numbers includes random numbers within a predetermined range and without repetition within the first set.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein a random number of the second set of n random number display regions can match a random number in any column of the respective at least two additional n column by n row random number display matrices; the second set of n random numbers includes random numbers within a predetermined range and without repetition within the second set.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first, second and third random number generators generate at least one random number selected from the group consisting of: a first set of random numbers ranging from 1 to 15;a second set of random numbers ranging from 16 to 30;a third set of random numbers ranging from 31 to 45;a four set of random numbers ranging from 46 to 60; anda fifth set of random numbers ranging from 61 to 75.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second and third random number generators can randomly select symbols selected from the group consisting of a symbol which awards the player a predetermined number of points; a symbol which causes a number displayed by a display matrix of the at least two display matrices to be covered; a symbol which awards the player a free spin; and a symbol which enables the player to play a bonus round.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for receiving a bet from the player prior to actuation of the at least one actuation icon.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for awarding a progressive jackpot to the player upon display by the first and second set of n random number display regions of a predetermined symbol and based on the player having placed a bet greater than a predetermined number and having selected at least four display matrices of the at least two display matrices.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a handheld computing device or a slot machine.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of input devices for receiving user inputs from a plurality of players.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein n is 5.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of numbers is 5.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of numbers is 10.

14. A method for playing a Bingo-like game by a player comprising the steps of: displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) including: at least two n column by n row random number display matrices;a first set of n random number display regions; andat least one actuation icon; andgenerating n random numbers to be displayed in at least one of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices; generating and displaying a first set of n random numbers responsive to actuation of the at least one actuation icon, each random number of the first set of n random number display regions is displayed by a respective one of the first set of the n random number display regions;

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of: generating n random numbers to be displayed in at least two additional n column by n row random number display matrices;generating and displaying a second set of n random number display regions and a second set of random numbers responsive to actuation of the at least one actuation icon, each random number of the second set of n random number display regions is displayed by a respective one of the second set of the n random number display regions; each random number of the second set of random numbers corresponds to two additional display matrices of the at least two n column by n row random number display matrices;comparing each of the second set of random numbers of the second set of n random number display regions with the random numbers displayed in a corresponding column of the at least two additional display matrices, and, for each match, covering the corresponding numbers displayed by the display matrices automatically; anddetermining whether at least one of the at least two additional display matrices displays a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a row, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a column, a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a diagonal, or all the numbers of the at least two display matrices have been matched, and, if so, generating a Bingo indication signal for indicating a Bingo condition.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein a random number of the first set of n random number display regions can match a random number in any column of the respective at least two n column by n row random number display matrices; the first set of n random numbers includes random numbers within a predetermined range and without repetition within the first set.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein a random number of the second set of n random number display regions can match a random number in any column of the respective at least two additional n column by n row random number display matrices; the second set of n random numbers includes random numbers within a predetermined range and without repetition within the second set.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least one random number is selected from the group consisting of: a first set of random numbers ranging from 1 to 15;a second set of random numbers ranging from 16 to 30;a third set of random numbers ranging from 31 to 45;a four set of random numbers ranging from 46 to 60; anda fifth set of random numbers ranging from 61 to 75.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of randomly generating and displaying symbols selected from the group consisting of a symbol which awards the player a predetermined number of points; a symbol which causes a number displayed by a display matrix of the at least two display matrices to be covered; a symbol which awards the player a free spin; and a symbol which enables the player to play a bonus round.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the displaying, generating, comparing and determining steps are implemented in software and operated on a computer system, a handheld computing device or slot machine.

21. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of receiving a bet from the player prior to actuation of the at least one actuation icon.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising awarding a progressive jackpot to the player upon display by the first and second set of n random number display regions of a predetermined symbol and based on the player having placed a bet greater than a predetermined number and having selected at least four display matrices of the at least two display matrices.

23. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of input devices for receiving user inputs from a plurality of players.

24. The method according to claim 14, wherein n is 5.

25. The method according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined amount of number is 5.

26. The method according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined amount of number is 10.