Patent Application
20070281773
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The present invention is a game system 10 for playing an electronic game. The game system 10 is shown generally at 10 in
Generally, there are a plurality of the player game devices 12 where the player game devices 12 and the game controller 14 are at least partially implemented in a client-server configuration. Each of the player game devices 12 are connected to, and in communication with, a server 18. As such, the server 18 may provide data and instructions to the player game device 12 and/or the game controller 14 and vice versa. With specific reference to
The player game device 12 allows a plurality of players to compete with and against each other in the electronic game. The player game device 12 includes a bill validator 22 and/or coin acceptor, a user interface device 24, a ticket printer 26 all coupled to and controller by a device controller 28.
The user interface device 24 allows interaction between the player game device 12, the game controller 14, and the player. The user interface device 24 includes a display screen 30, such as a touch-screen display, and plurality of buttons 32. Input to the user interface device 24 is accomplished via the touch-screen display, mechanical switches, buttons 32, player input sensing device (not shown), etc. The bill validator 22 is for accepting currency and responsively providing a number of credits which may be played by the respective player. The number of credits or currency input by the player are added to a credit meter 34 and displayed on the display screen 30. The ticket printer 26 prints a redeemable ticket for any remaining credits on the player game device 12.
The user interface device 24 also provides a menu button 36. The player may access additional functions via the menu button 36. For example, the menu button 36 provides the player with an opportunity, through a menu item, to cash out. In one embodiment, in response to the player choosing to cash out, a ticket representing the remaining credits on the credit meter 34 is printed by the ticket printer 26. The printed ticket may be redeemed for cash at a kiosk or cashier station.
To initiate the play of the game, a player inserts credits or coins, or currency into the player game device 12. Coins may be inserted into the coin acceptor (not shown) if provided. Currency may be inserted into the bill validator 22. The coins or currency may be converted into credits. Alternatively or in addition, the player may insert a ticket or card having a number of credits represented thereon or may insert a player tracking card to access credits in a player account. The bill validator 22, the user interface device 24, and the ticket printer 26 are coupled to and controlled by the device controller 28. The device controller 28 also manages communications to and between the server 18.
Types of electronic games may include, but are not limited to, bingo or similar games, keno games, slot machines 48, casino games, card games, dog or horse racing, lotteries, and all other forms of gaming. For purposes of illustration only, the present invention is described below in terms of bingo, as shown in
The player game device 12 allows a player to place a wager and purchase one or more electronic bingo cards 38. The player game device 12 allows the player to purchase additional electronic bingo cards 38 during the predetermined time period by placing an additional wager. In one embodiment, the electronic bingo card 38 is a 5×5 grid with the columns labeled B, I, N, G, and O, respectively. The center cell may be a “free” cell. Therefore, the electronic bingo card 38 has a grid containing a set of numbers and an associated winning pattern. It should be appreciated, however, that the grid is not limited to containing numbers as symbols, letters, or any other character may be used. Each bingo game has at least one winning pattern where the winning pattern is a game ending pattern which signifies the end of the game.
Referring again to
The winning pattern is a sub-set of cells of the grid which trigger an award or payout. The outcome of the electronic bingo game may be a “loss” if no game ending pattern, i.e., winning pattern, is achieved after all numbers have been selected or if another player achieves the game winning pattern.
The game controller 14 establishes the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 over a predetermined time period and establishes the randomly chosen numbers 40 on the player game device 12. In one embodiment, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are chosen randomly using a random number generator (not shown). However, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 may be established in any way known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, there are a predetermined number of numbers in the randomly chosen numbers 40, e.g., seventy-five. In another embodiment, the predetermined number of numbers in the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are established within a predetermined period of time, e.g., approximately 10 seconds. As the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are established, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are compared number by number against the associated winning pattern.
The amount of the award or payout may be dependent upon the wager made by the player and a predetermined paytable (not shown). This means that the more that a player bets, the larger the payout for an associated winning pattern according to the paytable. In one embodiment, the game ending pattern may include all of the cells of the electronic bingo card 38. In another embodiment, there is more than one game ending pattern on the paytable where each game ending pattern provides a different award or payout. The payout associated with the game ending pattern is paid to the first player who achieves the game ending pattern. This means that as the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are established over the predetermined time period, and the associated winning pattern is achieved, the game ends. The game controller 14 awards a payout under the first paytable only to the first player whose electronic bingo card 38 attains the game ending pattern. In one embodiment, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 includes a predetermined number of numbers. In this embodiment, if the predetermined number of numbers 40 does not result in a game ending pattern, then the player loses and does not win anything. Alternatively, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are chosen indefinitely until the game ending pattern is achieved.
In another aspect of the present invention, the player game device 12 allows the player to purchase additional electronic bingo cards 38, prior to any player achieving the game ending pattern or the last number in the set of chosen numbers having been chosen.
In one embodiment, there is at least one interim pattern. The interim pattern is a pattern on the grid that results in a payout according to a second paytable when the pattern is achieved. The interim winning patterns may provide a payout, without ending the game. The payout of the interim winning pattern is a function of the player's wager and the second paytable. The interim winning patterns may have other conditions associated therewith. For example, in order for a payout to occur, the interim winning pattern must be achieved within a predetermined number of the numbers.
Although the player may determine their payout by comparing their game ending pattern or the interim pattern with the respective paytable, to add excitement for the player, the payout is displayed on the alternative display 16 on the player game device 12. The payout is translated into a plurality of values 44 which are displayed on the player game device 12. The values 44 may correspond to a currency value, a credit value, points or other type of value, etc. In one embodiment, the game controller 14 displays the plurality of values 44 on the player game device 12 by simulating reels 46 on a slot machine 48. The slot machine 48 includes a plurality of the reels 46 and at least one payline 50 extending across the reels 46. At least one of values 44 are displayed on each of the reels 46. However, a plurality of values 44 may be visible on each of the reels 46 when the reels 46 stop and a plurality of paylines 50 may extend across the reels 46, e.g., diagonally, horizontally, zigzagged, etc., as known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, after the reels 46 spin and stop, the values 44 are displayed on the reels 46 with the values 44 aligned across the payline 50.
The result of the mathematical function applied to those values 44 aligned across the payline 50 is equal to the payout of the first paytable. The mathematical function includes at least one mathematical operation which is applied to the values 44, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In one embodiment, the values 44 are added together by the player where the sum of the values 44 is equal to the amount of the payout from the paytable, as shown in
Additionally, the game controller 14 may display the plurality of secondary values 44 on the player game device 12 in a secondary location 54 to the reels 46. Here, the values 44 are fixedly displayed at the secondary location 54. The values 44 which correspond to the payout of the paytable are displayed by highlighting, illuminating, displaying, etc., and are designated as 56 in
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/801,919, filed on May 19, 2006, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60801919 | May 2006 | US |
