Patent Application
20070082728
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic gaming system game, a method of implementing such a game and an arrangement for implementing the game.
2. Background of the Art
In a standard electronic slot machine game, images representing cards or other tokens are displayed on a screen and caused to appear to roll on virtual reels. Generally there 5 virtual reels, and 3 rows of tokens are displayed. Reel type electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are prohibited in some jurisdictions.
Certain games are provided on video wagering apparatus that provides symbols or numbers without reels. The most common of these apparatus are Keno machines which provide a matrix of fixed frames in columns and rows and consecutive numbers in each row forming a first complete set of numbers. Players place an initial wager and initiate selection of a second set of player-selected numbers that is less than all numbers in the first complete set. The system (e.g., by way of a random number generator) then selects a third subset of a specific predetermined subset of in-play numbers of the first complete set of numbers. A processor in the system compares the player-selected numbers with the in-play numbers and, depending upon the degree of correspondence between the player-selected numbers and the in-play numbers, awards are given to players as multiples of the player wager amount. Sometimes bonuses are paid when the player-selected numbers constitute a large set of numbers and the correspondence between the player-selected numbers and the in-play numbers is great.
Published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 20050049031 describes video wagering apparatus in which paylines are not necessarily required to extend across all columns in the selection of winning outcomes, the paylines selecting random symbols from within varying matrices of symbols.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,143 (Yoseloff) describes a method of playing electronic video numbers game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of a player placing a wager to participate in the game; the player selecting at least one subset of symbols to play from the original set of symbols; activating a random selection process for picking a second subset of winning symbols from the original set of symbols; and awarding the player a prize if a predefined number of symbols in the subset of symbols played matches the subset to winning symbols. The number of symbols in the subset to play is equal to the number of winning symbols. A video wagering device for playing the numbers game of the present invention is also disclosed. Referring to
Other references showing background technology in image and pattern selection include, by way of example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,960,133; 6,852,028; 6,309,300; 6,015,346; 5,651,735; 5,511,784; 5,380,007; and 6,899,618. The last reference shows that cards may be depicted “face-down” in the selection area so that, when the game of chance begins, each item or card has at least one characteristic that is unknown to the user. Obviously, the unknown characteristic in this illustrated example involving playing cards is face value, wherein the face value of each card includes a numerical value (e.g., ace, two through ten, jack, queen, or king) and a suit (e.g., heart, diamond, club, or spade). However, in other games of chance, such as Domino-type games, for example, other initially unknown characteristics may, of course, be applicable.
The above references and any references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety for their technical disclosures which may incorporated in or combined with the technology of the present games, apparatus, methods and systems described herein. Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.
The present technology relates to video wagering systems, apparatus and methods in which players place a wager on the outcome of random events and receive payouts when the random events meet predetermined criteria. The present technology particularly relates to the use of images of specific symbolic objects such as tiles or chips, or tokens or dominos in which game play symbolic imagery (numbers, game symbols, alphanumerics, puzzle pieces, image pieces, sets of alphanumerics, sets of symbols and the like) is revealed upon selection of specific symbolic objects. When the revealed game play symbolic imagery meets predetermined criteria, the player is awarded appropriately, usually on the basis of a paytable or pay scale carried in a gaming computer or processor associated with the gaming system. In the play of the game, standard playing card images may be used or excluded in the play according to the present technology.
In this specification, the term “flipped” will be used to refer to a token, virtual token, virtual specific symbolic image or the like which has been selected by the random selection process to make that token reveal a potential contributor (game play symbolic imagery) to a prize result. The term “flipped” is used as some of the embodiments refer to a game which uses tokens representing dominoes, and in which the back side of the domino (with no pips, spots, dots or numbers thereon) are initially shown and then the front side of the domino is then revealed (e.g., virtually turned or flipped) so that the numeric representations (e.g., dots, pips, spots, numbers, etc.) may be used in the play of the wagering game. The exposed front side may have the two sets of images (two sets of dots representing numbers) on the face of the front side so that the flipping of a single domino reveals two image components and one or more of the image components may be used in the determination of an outcome in the wagering game or event. The concept of falling dominos can be used to illustrate a change in the status of a token. During a game in which dominos are used as the tokens, the randomly selected dominos can be considered as fallen dominos. By way of example, initially these dominos can be represented on the display as blank tiles. Alternatively, the selected tokens can be “removed” from the display. A hidden image can be revealed behind the selected tokens. However, tokens representing other items may also be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the tokens may be balloons and they may be selected by bursting. Other options for the tokens include crackers, bombs, or keno balls which can also burst when selected. However, in the description, the term “flipped” should be understood to encompass the various methods of indicating selection of a token.
In one embodiment the invention provides a display including a first plurality of tokens, and a game involves the random or pseudo-random selection of a further or third plurality of the tokens that may constitute some or all of the first plurality of tokens.
The selected tokens can be a subset of the first plurality of tokens selected on the basis of a characteristic of the tokens. The characteristics of the tokens may be compared to the characteristics of a second plurality of tokens used to determine a winning events.
The characteristic can be a colour.
The subset can be a number or alphanumeric or combination of number and alphanumeric.
The tokens which are selected can be removed from the display.
The tokens which are selected can be altered to provide a distinct visual appearance to distinguish them from the tokens which were not selected, including at least displaying alphanumerics where no alpahanumerics were previously displayed on tokens.
The flipped tokens can form a defined or random pattern within the first plurality of tokens.
The unflipped tokens can form a defined or random pattern.
The prize can be determined by the pattern and/or content of displayed alphanumerics or colours of the flipped tokens.
The tokens can be displayed on a screen in a matrix.
The matrix can be a first row and column array.
The tokens can represent dominos, and the imagery on the dominos can be provided with numbers, dots, pips, spots, alphanumerics or the like.
The display can be arranged so that the tokens appear to fall, especially where they appear to fall in a sequence of events rather than simultaneously, as in what is referred to as ripple movement where on piece does not move until an adjacent piece has moved.
The tokens can fall in sequence or simultaneously during the play period, and the randomly chosen tokens can remain fallen while the other tokens revert to the upright orientation to show the result of the game.
The tokens can fall in sequence during the play period, and the randomly chosen tokens can remain upright while the other tokens remain fallen.
The tokens can start to fall at the centre of the array and fall to an adjacent domino [left, right, up, down, diagonal upper left, diagonal upper right, diagonal lower left, diagonal lower right].
The tokens can start to fall at a corner and fall sequentially.
The tokens can start to fall at random point and fall to an adjacent token.
The tokens can be balloons.
At the commencement of a game, all tokens are displayed on the screen.
The first plurality of tokens in the array includes 49 tokens.
The tokens can be arranged in a matrix array, such as 5×5, 5×6, 5×7, 6×6, 6×7, 7×7 and n×m array wherein n and m are integers greater than 5 and less than 50.
A winning combination can comprise at least 3 flipped tokens in sequence in a row.
A winning combination can comprise at least 3 flipped tokens in sequence in a column.
A winning combination can comprise 7 flipped tokens in sequence in a row
A winning combination can comprise 7 flipped tokens in sequence in a column
The third plurality of tokens not in the array serve as prize multipliers.
There can be 6 prize multiplier tokens.
The multiplier tokens can be arranged in a multiplier array.
The multiplier can be determined by the number of multiplier tokens flipped in the multiplier array.
The multiplier can be determined by the number of sequential multiplier tokens flipped.
In a game, more tokens can be flipped than the number required for a prize.
15 tokens can be flipped in a game.
The tokens in the first array can be “shuffled” before the random selection process.
A prize can be awarded when a hidden image is uncovered.
The image is behind two or more tokens.
There can be two or more hidden images.
The invention also provides a method of implementing a game on an electronic gaming machine including the steps of:
The invention can be implemented on an electronic gaming machine programmed to implement the above method to produce the various game options described herein.
An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
As noted above, the present technology relates to video wagering systems, apparatus and methods in which players place a wager on the outcome of random events and receive payouts when the random events meet predetermined criteria The present technology particularly relates to the use of images of specific symbolic objects such as tiles or chips, or tokens or dominos in which game play symbolic imagery (numbers, game symbols, alphanumerics, puzzle pieces, image pieces, sets of alphanumerics, sets of symbols and the like) is revealed upon selection of specific symbolic objects. When the revealed game play symbolic imagery meets predetermined criteria, the player is awarded appropriately, usually on the basis of a paytable or pay scale carried in a gaming computer or processor associated with the gaming system. In the play of the game, standard playing card images may be used or excluded in the play according to the present technology.
In this specification, the term “flipped” will be used to refer to a token, virtual token, virtual specific symbolic image or the like which has been selected by the random selection process to make that token reveal a potential contributor (game play symbolic imagery) to a prize result. The term “flipped” is used as some of the embodiments refer to a game which uses tokens representing dominoes, and in which the back side of the domino (with no pips, spots, dots or numbers thereon) are initially shown and then the front side of the domino is then revealed (e.g., virtually turned or flipped) so that the numeric representations (e.g., dots, pips, spots, numbers, etc.) may be used in the play of the wagering game. The exposed front side may have the two sets of images (two sets of dots representing numbers) on the face of the front side so that the flipping of a single domino reveals two image components and one or more of the image components may be used in the determination of an outcome in the wagering game or event.
Referring to
The technology described herein comprises apparatus, systems and a method of playing a video wagering game. The method comprises: a) a player placing at least one wager at risk in the play of the video wagering game; b) a monitor on the video wagering game displaying a first plurality of tokens having a total number; c) providing an identification of winning outcomes as a second plurality of tokens that consists of a number that is less than all of the total number of the first plurality of tokens; d) randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting a third plurality of tokens and displaying symbols, alphanumerics or symbols and alphanumerics in positions of at least the selected third plurality of tokens; e) comparing the displayed symbols with the identification of winning outcomes; and f) awarding a prize for a degree of similarity between the displayed symbols and the identification of winning outcomes. The two steps c) and d) do not have to appear in the order shown above. The method may provide the first plurality of tokens as representations of dominos and the selection and display of symbols is performed by flipping the dominos The symbols displayed on the selected dominos may comprise at least one of alphanumerics or spots on a face of the dominos.
In the embodiment illustrated in the display in
The array of 7×7 tokens includes 49 tokens. As a set of dominos contains 55 tiles, there are thus 6 additional tokens. As shown in
These additional tokens can be utilized to provide additional game features. For example, the additional tokens can be used as prize multipliers. Thus, if 3 of the additional tokens in column 108 are flipped during a game, the result can be a prize multiplier of 2, while if 4 of the additional tokens flip, the multiplier can be 3. Similarly, 5 additional tiles in column 108 being flipped could provide a multiplier of 5, and flipping 6 additional tiles could provide a multiplier of 10.
In one embodiment, when a game is played, 15 dominos can be selected at random and the screen display of each selected token flipped or turned. If the flipped tokens form a prize winning sequence, the player wins the corresponding prize.
A prize winning play is predetermined to include, for example, a sequence of four or more flipped tokens. Larger prizes can be awarded for longer sequences of flipped tokens, up to an entire row of 7 tokens. Thus, in
As shown in
In addition, tokens corresponding to R1C2 and R6C5 have also been flipped. However, these two tokens may not be associated with a prize award as they are isolated tokens.
If only one row is being played, this will be the default row R4. In this case, 4 tokens R4[C4, C5, C6, C7] have been selected. If 4 sequential tokens equate to a prize then this will be a prize winning result.
As only two tokens are flipped in column 308, there is no multiplier, as multipliers are assumed for this example to have been set to start at 3 tokens in the multiplier column 308.
A player can choose to play more than one row and one or more columns. The order in which the lines are “purchased” can be: R4, C4, R1, C1, R7, C7, R3, C3, R5, C5, R2, C2, R6, C6. Thus by wagering one unit, the player can win only if the default prize line, in this case R4, contains a prize winning sequence. By wagering 2 units, the player can win if either R4 or C4 contains a prize winning sequence. By wagering 5 units, a player may play 6 lines. By wagering 10 units a player may play 10 lines, a line being either a row or a column. By wagering 25 units, a player may play 14 lines.
The scatter prize can be multiplied by the number of units wagered by the player.
In
There can be more than one scatter prize. For example, in
Where the tokens are dominos, the array of tokens can be arranged so that all the absolute pairs [1/1], [2/2], up to [9/9], except [0/0], are in the central 3×3 sub-array. The absolute pairs can be provided with the least probability of being selected.
The probability of each tile being selected can be weighted individually. For example, the selection software may be designed so that there is a range of probabilities for various subsets of tokens. This can be exemplified by postulating a set of numbers including 4 subsets of numbers of decreasing probability. The numbers in the first subset appear 4 times in the overall set, the numbers of the next most common subset appear 3 times, those of the next subset appear twice, and those in the least probable subset appear only once. The selection can then be made by random selection from within such a set. This example is illustrative of a method of weighting the tokens. For example, the tokens could be numbered 1 to 55. However, there are various means of weighting selection of individual tokens.
One method of choosing the tokens is to randomly select a subset of the symbols or numbers displayed on the face of the tokens and then each token displaying that member of that subset as part of their representation is flipped. The subset can be any suitable characteristic of the tokens, for example, the colour of the token, or a number on the token. In one embodiment, a digit between 0 and 9 may be selected, and each domino token with the digit on its face will be flipped.
A further method of awarding a prize can be for some of the unflipped tokens to form a predetermined pattern. The faces some of the tokens may form part of a prize image. If all the tokens forming the image remain unflipped, the prize is awarded.
The selection of a token can be indicated in various ways. in the case where the tokens are dominos, the dominos can be flipped by causing the domino to appear to bhe subject to rotation about an axis in the plane of the screen, rotation about an axis perpendicular to the screen, or rotation about an axis inclined at an angle to the plane of the screen. The token can be subject to apparent rotation about more than one axis. In the case of a vertical domino displayed with its major surface area in the plane of the screen, 90° rotation about a vertical axis in the plane of the screen will result in the thickness dimension of the domino being displayed along the height of the domino.
Again starting from the vertical orientation of the major area, rotation about a horizontal axis in the plane of the screen will result in the thickness dimension being displayed along the width of the domino. In this case, the domino can be made to appear to fall into or out of the screen.
Similarly, rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen can create the effect of the domino toppling to the side.
In the case where the dominos are displayed at a skew angle, they can be made to appear to fall at an angle apparently perpendicular to the transverse direction of the domino.
Player participation can be enhanced in a number of ways. For example, the player can choose a subset of tokens before the commencement of a game, and a prize is awarded if the subset chosen by the player is flipped.
A further feature is that a hidden image can change its position and/or the image displayed.
Another form of prize award is the award of free games.
The free games can also be multiplied in accordance with the number of tokens flipped in the additional column 108.
A further feature which can be implemented is the drawing of additional tokens in response to a particular event, for example, when a specific “underlying” image is revealed or a particular pattern of tokens is flipped. This feature increases the probability of a prize winning play.
Alternatively, a random mechanism can be used to cause additional tokens to flip.
A further feature is the provision of an option for the player to “lock in” tokens which flipped in a previous game for one or more subsequent games.
The play of the game and the nature of the winning events has been described in detail above, but many alternatives may be provided within the scope of the generic technology, focussing for example on the preferred domino-type variant of the technology, numerous unique types of winning events can be envisioned. Domino tiles may have to be matched in order and orientation (e.g., 2/6 shown on face rather than 6/2 to match a predetermined winning symbol of 2/6) or tiles with the predetermined (e.g., randomly selected or fixed) order of tiles and/or orientation of tiles (e.g., 2/6—0/2—3/3—4/3) in the predetermined order of tiles much be matched in order 9although not necessarily in adjacent order) in the pattern of tiles flipped. Tiles may have to be provided to meet a specific set of dominos that have been lain in a pattern, according to the rules of dominos, with like numbers adjacent like numbers. All of the predetermined tile configurations (numbers, orientation and/or order) must be matched or fewer than all tiles, but a minimum number of the tiles must match the predetermined winning set of tiles. Other alternatives and equivalents may be practiced by those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the invention.
Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005905495 | Oct 2005 | AU | national |
