AU2001290809B2 - Gaming device and method - Google Patents

Description

(-HUU-eUU( Ib:i5d hromtttHiLLbl i UUllb 1 dl'dJ d90 1 0:wbd6 it 0 o Gaming Device and Method Technical Field The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and

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O methodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a gaming device having a winning outcome where the player wins directly and a o secondary outcome which allows the player to participate a randomly-selected o subsequent gaming event, q Background Art 0 Traditionally, gaming machines afford a player one gaming proposition per C1 t0 gaming session. A player inserts credits and is eligible to play one game on that particular device, Ultimately, the player loses interest in that particular game and stops gaming.

Devices in the prior art exist that allow a player to engage in a secondary gaming proposition during the same gaming session, but these are also limited. A particular gaming device of this type offers the same set of two gaming propositions, and thus suffers from the same problem as traditional gaming devices.

It is to be understood that a reference herein to a prior art document does not constitute an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention is distinguishable over the prior art in a multiplicity of ways. For example, the instant invention provides a method to provide the player with a more enjoyable gaming experience by potentially allowing participation in more than one gaming proposition during a single gaming session.

In addition, this invention causes the subsequent gaming proposition to be selected from a plurality of propositions. A player may engage in many sessions on a single gaming device and experience several, very different, gaming propositions.

.a- COMS ID No: ARCS-156040 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:59 Date 2007-08-07 U(-HUL-dmU( ib:J3 hrom:hKttMLLb ?llbldyjdci'+UUU 1 0:ubd3 Fl 1J 1 0 Industrial Applicabil] ity

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,1 The industrial applicability of this invention shall be demonstrated through discussion of the following objects of the invention, which are each to be read as alternate objects to an object of providing the public with a useful choice.

0 0 o 5 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new, and novel, and useful method of gaming, in which a player has the opportunity to participate in a o number of different gaming propositions in a single gaming session.

0 It is another object of the present invention to provide a device as characterized C] above which provides gaming propositions which are intuitive to understand and easy S 10 to implement.

0 Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: a display, and a processor operatively coupled to said display, said processor including a first random output means appearing on said display, resulting in one of plural outcomes, at least one said outcome triggering one of a plurality of second said random output means.

Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a method for gaming, the steps including: selecting a outcome that will trigger a subsequent gaming event, making a wager to enable a gaming device, evoking chance means to trigger an outcome, determining whether the outcome matches the triggering outcome, and initiating a randomly-selected gaming event if the outcome matches the triggering outcome.

Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for gaming, comprising, in combination: wagering means to enable said device, means for displaying a plurality of outcomes, means for incrementing an award due in the presence of a winning outcome, and means for triggering a subsequent gaming event, selected from a plurality of such gaming events.

Viewed from. a fourth vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: a wager receiver; a processor which is enabled upon receipt of a wager in said receiver; a display; a random generator interposed between said processor and said display to place symbols on said display; a comparator which awards certain symbol orientations on said display; wherein said display orientation comprises a row and column matrix to receive -2- COMS ID No: ARCS-156040 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:59 Date 2007-08-07 U(-HU3-fULJ( Ib:6J hrom8IttzlHiLLb IdM blciyJJ~ririWUUr I o: bdU,510/ I O symbols at intersections of said rows and columns; a device chosen symbol adjacent CN said matrix and to be matched by symbols displayed on said matrix, and means to t substitute displayed symbols which do not match said chosen symbol with new symbols from said random generator, including a counter which decrements from an 00 initial number randomly designated by said device and which controls how many spins are available to consecutively replace non matching symbols to match said chosen symbol; whereby said comparator determines an award after a last spin based on an O0 aggregation of matching symbols.

Viewed from a fifth vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to 8 10 provide a gaming method, the steps including: receiving a wager; displaying an O unpopulated matrix to be populated with symbols; displaying a chosen target symbol outside the matrix; populating the matrix with symbols; retaining matrix symbols which match the chosen target symbol; substituting unmatching matrix symbols with new symbols; repeating the substituting step a number times as dictated by an indicator; and assessing an ultimate award as a function of matches.

These and other objects and aspects of the invention will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a flowchart of the methodology according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith.

Figure 3 is a depiction of the display screen shown in figure 2, depicting a plurality of randomly-numbered positions in a row and column (RXC) matrix.

Figure 4 is a 3D view of the display screen.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is directed to the device according to the present invention.

2a COMS ID No: ARCS-156040 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:59 Date 2007-08-07 WO 02/22220 PCT/US01/28498 In its essence, the apparatus 10 includes a housing 16 which supports a visual display 2, preferably a video monitor, therewithin. Alternatively, the device may use a mechanical reel system. The display 2 may include a window 8 for special messages or for incrementing counting of credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED or other readout 4 for prompting the player and can provide similar verbiage as the window 8 or in lieu thereof, to stimulate the player. The device includes an inlet 6 for the reception therein for coins, currency or the like to auger in the inception of play. A plurality of decision-making buttons 12 are located on the face of the apparatus 10, preferable below the display 2 and a pull handle 14 can be used to initiate play as an alternative to supplement the decision-making buttons 12. A coin hopper 18 or other payment methods, ticket printers, may be included to effectuate an output of an award due the player. The apparatus 10 may have a top portion 32 with a display thereon having a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include a paytable. A plurality of speakers 34 may be included on the device for aural interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes a processor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for generating outcomes.

More specifically, and with reference to figure 3, greater details with respect to the video display 2 can be explored. The display 2 features a plurality of symbols arranged in a row and column (RXC) matrix 21. Paylines 22 correspond to areas on the matrix in which winning combinations may be located. The preferred embodiment features a 3-by-5 matrix with either 9 or 15 paylines.

Referring to figure 1, the flow chart associated with the apparatus of figures 2 and 3 can be explored. Initially, the player plays the game with a maximum bet or less.

Preferably, but optionally, a maximum bet or other special condition enables the features of the invention. Assume a maximum bet is required. If the player plays with less than a maximum bet, the outcome is determined by thl-e symbols displayed according to the display in figure 3. If the player opts to play with a maximum bet, then after the initial outcome is displayed, the player is immediately rewarded if the initial outcome corresponds to a value on an associated paytable. If the initial outcome matches a preset triggering outcome, a preferably randomly-chosen second game is initiated, and the player has further opportunities to win. An example of a special condition which triggers the second game is the appearance of a special symbol on the initial game.

WO 02/22220 PCT/US01/28498 In the preferred embodiment, one of the randomly-chosen games is a matching game in which a player is given a symbol and a random number of spins to match the chosen symbol. For this game, the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and column (RXC) matrix. At the beginning, the matrix contains no symbols. Each position in the matrix is then filled with a randomly-chosen symbol. Any symbol that matches the chosen symbol is then frozen in position, and the remaining positions are "respun," or again filled with randomly-chosen symbols. Again, the positions of any matching symbols are frozen and the positions are re-spun until the player has used all of the allotted spins. The player is awarded credits for each matching symbol.

Another of the randomly-chosen games may be a spatial relationship and cognate based game in which the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and colurm (RXC) matrix, preferably a 3X3 matrix. A randomly-chosen symbol appears above the matrix, and the player indicates the column in which to place that symbol.

The chosen symbol drops down the indicated column to the lowest available position row). If the player lines up three symbols in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, those three symbols disappear and all symbols drop down to the lowest available position. Alternatively, winning outcomes other than three symbols in a row may be used. For example, a single symbol may increment credits directly or a single symbol may be a "joker", "wild card", or "universal symbol" which assumes a value most helpful to the player. The player continues to play in this manner until the entire matrix has been filled without achieving the desired combination. The player is then awarded credits for each set of three symbols.

In the preferred embodiment, one of the randomly-chosen games is a matching game, shown in figure 4, in which a player is given a designated, chosen symbol 25 and a random number of spins 26 to match the chosen symbol. For this game, the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and column (RXC) matrix 27. At the beginning, the matrix 27 contains no symbols. Each position in the matrix is then filled with a randomly-chosen symbol 28. Any symbol that matches the chosen symbol is then frozen in position, and the remaining positions are "re-spun," or again filled with randomly-chosen symbols 28. Again, the positions of any matching symbols are frozen and the positions are re-spun until the player has used all of the allotted spins.

The player is awarded credits for each matching symbol.

Another of the randomly-chosen games may be a symbol aligning game, depicted in FIG. 5, in which the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and column (RXC) matrix, preferably a 3X3 matrix 40. A randomly-chosen symbol 41 WO 02/22220 PCT/US01/28498 appears above the matrix, and the player indicates the column 42 in which to place that symbol. The chosen symbol drops down the indicated column to the lowest available position. If the player lines up three symbols in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, those three symbols disappear and all remaining symbols drop down to the lowest available position. Alternatively, winning combinations other than three symbols in a row, column or diagonal may be used. The player continues to play in this manner until the entire matrix 40 has been filled with symbols without achieving the desired combination. The player is then awarded credits for each set of three symbols achieved.

Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.

Claims (4)

1. A gaming device, comnprising-mi comnbination: a wager receiver; a proc "sor which is en.ablied uponi receipt of a wager in said. receiver; 00 S 5 a display; a randomn generator interposed between said processor anid said display to place symbols on said display; 00 a comparator which awards certain symbol orientations on said display; wherein said display oriorntation comnprises a row and, colum-n mnatrix to receive symbols at intersections of said rows anid columns; a device ch-osen symbol adjacent said matrix.and to be matched by symbols displayed oti said miatrix, and means to SUbStitUtte displayed symbols which do not match said choseni symbol with new symbols from isaid ranidomi- generator, including a couinter which decr"-nwnts fromn an initial numaber randomly designated by said device and which controls how many spins are available to conseCultivel'.y replace non matching symbolsq to jiiatch qsaid chosen symbol; wheicreby said comparator dletermines an award after a last spin based oni an aggregation of rn atchinrg symbols.

2. A gamling method, the steps includig: receiving a Wager; displayig 01n1 Unpopulated. mnatrix to be popuLated with symbols; disploying a chosen, target -symbol outside the mnalrix;- populating the matrix with symbols; retaining matrix symbols which match the chosen target Symbol; SUbstituting Urna tching matrix symbols with new Symbols; repeating die substituting step a number timvS 4is dictated by an indicator; and assessing an ultfimate award as L) fLInCH.01) of'1mat1CIcS. -6- COMS ID No: ARCS-156040 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:59 Date 2007-08-07 ur-HUb-dUUr Ib:t>0 hrom:ftKELHiLLb Wll lb'lid"-td40C0WU 1 0: ubd,- 1-1.1 1= 0

3. A gaming device as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with C' reference to the accompanying drawings. 0

4. A gaming method as claimed in claim 2 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. O 0 0 0 -7- COMS ID No: ARCS-156040 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:59 Date 2007-08-07