AU2001100267A4 - Gaming machine with migrating symbol - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Gaming machine with migrating symbol The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- Gaming Machine with Migrating Special Symbol Field of the Invention This invention relates to a gaming machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine and to an improvement to a game played on such a gaming machine.

Background to the Invention Players who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire of particular games and therefore it is necessary for manufacturers of these machines to develop innovative game features which add interest to the games. In so doing, it is hoped to keep players amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game as well as to attract new players.

Also, with the growth that has occurred in the gaming machine market, there is intense competition between manufacturers to supply various existing and new venues. When selecting a supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a venue will often pay close attention to the popularity of various games with their patrons. Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games which are popular with the players as a mechanism for improving sales, retaining customers and attracting new customers.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterised in that, when a special symbol appears at a predetermined location on the display means, the special symbol migrates along a predetermined path and, as it passes over other symbols in the path, the game control means makes a determination as to whether or not any of said other symbols which is passed over is to be changed into a symbol which is the same as another symbol, excluding the special symbol, presently displayed on the display means.

Accordingly, where a symbol does change to another symbol, a winning combination payable to a player may result or a winning combination which exists may change to a better winning combination. It will, however, be appreciated that, even where a symbol changes to another symbol a winning combination need not necessarily result.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterised in that, when a special symbol appears, it triggers an animation in which the special symbol migrates about the display means and any symbol that the special symbol passes over in a path followed by the special symbol may change, subject to a determination made by the game control means, into a symbol which is the same as another symbol, excluding the special symbol, presently displayed on the display means and said any symbol which changes remains in that changed condition for the duration of the animation.

The invention, preferably, relates to a spinning reel game which has a video simulation of rotatable reels. For ease of explanation, the invention will be described with reference to its application to a spinning reel game. It will, however, be appreciated that the invention could apply to other types of games such as, for example, a card game where the path would be a over a row of the cards arranged adjacent one another and the special symbol migrates from one card to the next. In addition, the invention could also, conceivably, apply to ball games where the path would be a row, a column or particular pattern of balls and, the special symbol, by migrating across the balls, may cause indicia on the balls to be altered.

In the case of a spinning reel game, the path followed by the migrating special symbol may be along a payline of the game. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spinning reel game may have three, generally horizontally extending paylines. Then, the migrating symbol may, when it appears, move horizontally along the payline which passes through it when the reel carrying the special symbol comes to rest.

The display means may display a plurality of symbol carrying elements arranged in a predetermined orientation relative to one another, the special symbol, when the special symbol appears, appearing on one of the symbol carrying elements inwardly of a first symbol carrying element and, when the special symbol begins migrating along its path, a start position vacated by the special symbol adopts the identity of a symbol on the first symbol carrying element adjacent the special symbol. For example, in respect of a game having a video simulation of five spinning reels, the special symbol may be carried only on the second reel.

Thus, in use, when the special symbol is spun up to appear on the display means, the position vacated by the special symbol, in effect, is taken by a symbol which matches the identity of the symbol on the first reel, on the same payline as the special symbol. The path which the special symbol follows as it migrates may cause the special symbol to pass over symbols of remaining symbol carrying elements. Thus, in the case of the spinning reel game, the special symbol may migrate along the payline through the third, fourth and fifth reels. The game control means may make a random selection as to whether or not any symbol over which the special symbol passes is to be changed to match the symbol on the first reel through which that payline passes.

After the special symbol has completed a traversal of its path, it may return to its original position where it acts as a substitute symbol, the appropriate winning combination, if any, being determined after the special symbol has completed its traversal and has returned to its original position.

Instead, when the special symbol commences its migration, a determination may be made by the control means as to whether or not the position initially occupied by the special symbol is to be taken by a symbol matching the identity of said symbol on the first symbol carrying element. In this case, the special symbol need not return to its starting position after traversal of the payline.

Further, a determination as to whether or not a winning combination has occurred may take place only after the special symbol has completed a traversal of its path. Instead, prior to the special symbol commencing its migration, a determination may be made as to whether or not a winning combination exists and, if so, a prize is awarded and, after the special symbol has completed its migration, a further determination may be made as to whether or not a further winning combination exists and, if so, a prize is awarded for the further winning combination.

In a preferred form of the invention, the special symbol is one which imparts the idea of travel or flight in a whimsical manner. Thus, the special symbol may be a magic carpet symbol.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a gaming machine, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine; and Figure 3a to 3e show schematic representations of screen displays of a game played on the gaming machine of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings In Figure 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a gaming machine, including a game, in accordance with the invention. The machine includes a console 12 having a video display unit 14 on which a game 16 is played, in use. The preferred form of a base game of the game 16 is a spinning reel game which simulates the rotation of a number of spinning reels 18. It will, however, be appreciated that the invention could apply to other types of base games such as card games or ball games such as Keno, or the like. A midtrim 20 of the machine 10 houses a bank 22 of buttons for enabling a player to play the game 16. The midtrim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24.1 and a bill collector 24.2.

The machine 10 includes a top box 26 on which artwork 28 is carried.

The artwork 28 includes paytables, details of bonus awards, etc.

A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash payouts from the machine Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, a control means or control circuit 40 is illustrated. A program which implements the game and user interface is run on a processor 42 of the control circuit 40. The processor 42 forms part of a controller 44 which drives the screen of the video display unit 14 and which receives input signals from sensors 46. The sensors 46 include sensors associated with the bank 22 of buttons and touch sensors mounted in the screen 16. The controller 44 also receives input pulses from the mechanism 24 indicating that a player has provided sufficient credit to con-mmence playing. The mechanism 24 may, instead of the coin input chute 24.1 or the bill collector 24.2, or in addition thereto, be a credit card reader (not shown] or any other type of validation device.

Finally, the controller 44 drives a payout mechanism 48 which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit.

In Figures 3a to 3e of the drawings, screen displays of various stages in the game 16 played on the machine 10 are shown and designated generally by the reference numeral The game 16 is a five reel game having reels 18.1 to 18.5. In addition, the game pays for left-to-right winning combinations on three horizontal paylines illustrated by numerals 1, 2 and 3.

A feature of this game is the presence of a special symbol represented as a magic carpet symbol 52 on the second reel 18.2. The symbol 52 is carried only on the reel strip 18.2.

Accordingly, when the symbol 52 is spun up as shown in Figure 3a of the drawings, on payline 2, the symbol starts migrating along payline 2, as shown in Figure 3b of the drawings. As it passes the symbol on the third reel 18.3 arranged on payline 2, the game control means or controller 44 determines whether or not the symbol on reel 18.3 is to be changed. If a positive determination is made, the symbol on payline 2 carried on reel 18.3 is changed to the same symbol as appears on reel 18.1 in the position through which payline 2 passes. Hence, as illustrated in Figure 3c of the drawings, the symbol is changed from a symbol '10' to a symbol to match the symbol in that position on reel 18.1.

Similarly, as the magic carpet symbol 52 passes over the symbol of reel 18.4 on payline 2, the controller 44 determines whether or not the symbol is to be changed. Once again, if a positive determination is made then, as shown in Figure 3d of the drawings, the symbol on reel 18.4 through which payline 2 passes is changed to a symbol to match the symbol on reel 18.1 As the symbol 52 passes over the corresponding position of reel 18.5, a final determination is made. In this case, the controller 44 has determined, by way of a random selection, not to change the symbol at the last position on payline 2. Accordingly, the symbol remains unchanged.

Once the symbol 52 has completed its traversal of the payline, it returns to its position on reel 18.2 and acts as a substitute symbol.

Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the magic carpet symbol 52 substitutes for the symbol on reel 18.2 and a prize is paid for the winning combination of 4 x Q on payline 2.

In another embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, when the magic carpet symbol 52 moves from its position on reel 18.2, and if the appropriate determination is made by the controller 44, the position on reel 18.2 initially occupied by the magic carpet symbol 52 is taken by a symbol having the same identity as the adjacent symbol on reel 18.1, ie in the present examples, a Q symbol. It will, accordingly, be appreciated that the magic carpet symbol 52 need then not return to its starting position after completion of its traversal of payline 2.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention which is not illustrated, prizes may be paid before the magic carpet symbol 52 animation commences.

In other words, if a winning combination had been present before the animation commenced, a prize is paid for that winning combination. If, after completion of the animation, an improved winning combination results, then that win is paid in addition to the original win.

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention that a game is provided which increases a player's chances of obtaining an improved winning combination. Moreover, the animation is done in an entertaining way which heightens suspense.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (4)

1. A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterised in that, when a special symbol appears at a predetermined location on the display means, the special symbol migrates along a predetermined path and, as it passes over other symbols in the path, the game control means makes a determination as to whether or not any of said other symbols which is passed over is to be changed into a symbol which is the same as another symbol, excluding the special symbol, presently displayed on the display means.

2. A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterised in that, when a special symbol appears, it triggers an animation in which the special symbol migrates about the display means and any symbol that the special symbol passes over in a path followed by the special symbol may change, subject to a determination made by the game control means, into a symbol which is the same as another symbol, excluding the special symbol, presently displayed on the display means and said any symbol which changes remains in that changed condition for the duration of the animation.

3. The gamingmachine of claim 1 or claim 2 in which the display means displays a plurality of symbol carrying elements arranged in a predetermined orientation relative to one another, the special symbol, when the special symbol appears, appearing on one of the symbol carrying elements inwardly of a first symbol carrying element and, when the special symbol begins migrating along its path, a start position vacated by the special symbol adopts the identity of a symbol on the first symbol carrying element adjacent the special symbol, the path which the special symbol follows as it migrates causing the special symbol to pass over symbols of remaining symbol carrying elements.

4. The gaming machine of any one of the preceding claims in which a determination as to whether or not a winning combination has occurred takes place only after the special symbol has completed a traversal of its path. The gamning machine of any one of claims 1 to 3 inclusive, in which, prior to the special symbol commencing its migration, a determination is made as to whether or not a winning combination exists and, if so, a prize is awarded and, after the special symbol has completed its migration, a further determination is made as to whether or not a further winning combination exists and, if so, a prize is awarded for the further winning combination. Dated this thirteenth day of August 2001 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO