AU2009200681B2 - A method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant (s): Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Invention Title: A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAMING SYSTEM AND A GAME CONTROLLER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P76305AAU PatSet.Filing Appclation 2009-2-20 doc (M) -2 Title A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAMING SYSTEM AND A GAME CONTROLLER 5 Field The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller. 10 Background to the Invention Gaming systems are known comprising a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game 15 outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set, or a video machine with selected symbols are displayed in virtual reels on a 20 video display. Other gaming systems are known to display symbols as a set of cards simulating a card game of poker. 25 Added features are known where appearance of special symbols or patterns signify the activation of a bonus award such as a free game or modified game rules. While such added features provide users with enjoyment, 30 there is a need for alternative gaming systems with different modes for activating bonus awards to add to player excitement. Summary of the Invention 35 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gaming comprising: distributing a plurality of image parts of an N:\Melbourne\Case\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 3 image across a set of display positions for display to a player; activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the 5 image; selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award. 10 In one embodiment the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. In an embodiment the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols, and in another 15 embodiment the image parts are displayed on a back face of the cards. In another embodiment the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side 20 by side. In one embodiment the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part. 25 In one embodiment the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round. 30 In one embodiment the image is a design, pattern or picture. In another embodiment the image is a animated image. In one embodiment the step of activating the bonus award 35 occurs only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions. According to a second aspect of the invention there is N:\Melbourne\Casea\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 provided a gaming system comprising: a display for symbols to be displayed in a set of display positions to a player; an image part distributor for distributing a 5 plurality of image parts of an image across the set of display positions; a bonus award controller for activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; 10 a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and an outcome generator for determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award. 15 In one embodiment the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. In an embodiment the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols. In another embodiment the image part distributor distributes the 20 image parts on a back face of the cards. In another embodiment the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side. 25 In one embodiment the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part. 30 In one embodiment the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round. In one embodiment the image is a design, pattern or 35 picture. In another embodiment the image is a animated image. In one embodiment the bonus award controller is arranged N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 5 to activate the bonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions. In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises a player 5 instruction mechanism operable by the player to place a wager. In one embodiment, the image part distributor, the bonus award controller, the symbol selector, and the outcome 10 generator are provided by a game controller constituted, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory. According to a third aspect of the invention there is 15 provided a game controller comprising: an image part distributor for distributing a plurality of image parts of an image on a display across a set of display positions; a bonus award controller for activating a bonus 20 award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and an outcome generator for determining a game round 25 outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award. In one embodiment the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. In an embodiment the image parts are 30 displayed on the same face as the symbols. In another embodiment the image part distributor distributes the image parts on a back face of the cards. In another embodiment the display positions correspond to 35 respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side. In one embodiment the plurality of image parts comprise a N:\Melbourne\Casea\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specia\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 6 left image part, a centre image part and a right image part. In one embodiment the bonus award is a prize, a free game 5 round or a modification of normal operation of a game round. In one embodiment the image is a design, pattern or picture. In another embodiment the image is a animated 10 image. In one embodiment the bonus award controller is arranged to activate the bonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions. 15 According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array on a 20 display, the symbols being selected from a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; 25 performing a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and performing a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols 30 include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images. According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a game controller for a gaming system, the game 35 controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selected from a set of symbols N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 7 each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; 5 perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a 10 plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images. According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system comprising: 15 a display for displaying symbols at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array; a memory storing a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image 20 element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; and a game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols from the symbol set for display at respective ones of the plurality 25 of display positions; perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and perform a second award evaluation of the 30 selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images. According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is 35 provided computer program code when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement any of the embodiments of the method of gaming of the invention. N:\Melbourne\Casee\Patent\76000-76999\P76305 .AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 8 According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium comprising the program code of the invention. 5 According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided a data signal comprising the computer program code of the invention. In a tenth aspect, the invention extends to transmitting 10 the above program code. Brief Description of Drawings The accompanying drawing illustrate exemplary embodiments 15 of the invention. Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 20 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 25 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming 30 system; Figure 6 is a further block diagram of the gaming system; Figure 7 shows a flow diagram for the method of an 35 embodiment of the invention; Figures 8A, 8B and 8C show the displays of Example 1; and N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 9 Figure 9A, 9B and 9C shows displays of Example 2. Detailed Description 5 Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game wherein an image may appear in parts in display positions to activate a bonus award if the parts coincide to make up the image. 10 The gaming system may take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. 15 In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the 20 game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a "thick client" architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a "thin client" 25 architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. 30 However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the 35 gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 10 and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises 5 several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the 10 input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game. Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a 15 credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play mechanism 56 comprises one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers 58. 20 The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the 25 display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Herein the term "processor" is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a 30 microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming 35 machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 11 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input 5 chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of 10 reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 15 A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted 20 beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. The display 14 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen 25 device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be 30 of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or 35 different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 12 operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each 5 type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103. The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring 10 player credit, an input/output (I/0) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data 15 for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. 20 In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 25 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or 30 touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is uses to initiate a 35 play of the game. In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specia\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 13 The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or 5 database. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 10 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the 15 integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere. It is also possible for the operative components of the 20 gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101. Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an 25 alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player 30 operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three 35 or more gaming machines are also envisaged. One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be N:\Melbourne\Casee\Ptent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 14 associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example 5 promotional or informational material. In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the 10 game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the 15 gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided. 20 In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, 25 the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines 30 could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. Servers are also typically provided to assist in the 35 administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal N:\Melbourne\CaBeB\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 15 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network. The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming 5 systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in 10 accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game 15 server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server 20 may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals. Further detail of gaming system 25 Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to gaming systems that implement a game of draw poker. In one embodiment, the display 54 initially shows five cards presented face down and the cards turned over to reveal the faces. The cards can be shown as being dealt face 30 down. In other embodiments, suitable, for example for single player games, the cards are shown as being dealt face up. The game controller of one embodiment is shown in more 35 detail in Figure 6. The game controller 60 incorporates a processor 62 which implements a symbol selector 610, random number generator 650, image part distributor 620, bonus award controller 625 and outcome generator 630 based N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specia\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 16 on program code stored in memory 64. Memory 64 comprises game instructions 644, symbol sets 641, image part data 642, prize data 645 and meter data 646. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of these 5 components could be provided in other ways, for example by a dedicated circuit. In an example of a game to which the invention is applied, symbol selector 610 selects symbols from symbol set 642 to 10 display in the display positions on the display 54. In the embodiment, the game is a game of poker wherein when the symbols have been selected the display positions are occupied by five cards. 15 In an alternative embodiment, the display positions could correspond to spinning reels within a display window such that symbols displayed at the display positions correspond to the stopped position of the reels. selection. 20 At some point in the game, which may in different embodiments be before, after or during the symbol selection, image part distributor 620 distributes a plurality of image parts across the display positions, using the image part data 642 and random number generator 25 650. Bonus award controller 625 assesses whether the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image, and if so activates a bonus award, in some embodiments affecting the operation of symbol selector 610 for current or future games and outcome generator 630. 30 That is, depending on the embodiment, the bonus award may be, for example a prize, a free game round, a modification of normal operation of a game round or other suitable award. The points in the process at which the image part distributor 620 distributes the symbols and at which the 35 bonus award is evaluated are selected based on the desired impact of the bonus award on the game. For example, if the embodiment involves modifying operation of a game round, it will usually be appropriate to evaluate whether the N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specio\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 17 bonus award should be activated prior to displaying the card faces to the player and for example, by havinf the image parts on the back of the cards and deal them face down. In embodiments, where completing the image results 5 in an additional prize, the timing will not be as important, although in a draw poker embodiment, the evaluation will typically occur before the draw stage of the game. 10 The outcome generator 630 calculates any prize associated with the current game round depending on game instructions 644 and prize data 645 and the status of bonus award controller 625 - e.g. to also reflect any prizes related to the completion of the image. The outcome generator then 15 updates meter data 645, and displays any win on display 54 on the player interface 50. Now referring to Figure 7, a flow diagram for implementing the method of an embodiment of the invention is shown. 20 At some time after the start of play the image part distributor 620 distributes the image parts across the display positions in step 1201, and bonus award controller 625 determines in step 1202 whether the image parts are 25 arranged to form the image. If the answer is "yes", in step 1203 bonus award controller 625 activates the bonus award, which may be a free game or games, modified game rules, a prize or any other special feature. If the answer is "no", the bonus award is not activated. 30 In step 1204 game play continues with the selection of symbols for display and in step 1205 the game round outcome is determined from prize data 645 and meter data 646 is updated. 35 In other embodiments, the method may be employed with multi-player terminals of the type where a plurality of player interfaces are distributed around the periphery of N:\Melbourne\Caseo\Patent\76000-26999\P76305.AU\Specis\P?6305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 18 a table which may incorporate a central display, for example, for displaying community cards. In such an embodiment, the game may be played by all players or only by players who make an additional bet. 5 Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that card games other than draw poker may be employed, for example, Texas Hold'em or Stud poker. 10 In other embodiments, there may be more than one image which can be completed. In an alternative embodiment, rather than the image parts being selected independently of the symbols, the symbol 15 set(s) stored in the memory may define symbols each having a primary image element (corresponding to the conventional card or spinning reel symbols) and some having have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more 20 larger images. The game controller then selects symbols for display at an array of display positions on the display and conducts two evaluations. A first award evaluation of the selected symbols being based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image 25 elements in the manner of a conventional prize table evaluation. A second award evaluation of the selected symbols being based on whether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images. 30 Depending on the embodiment, the second award evaluation may modify or be additional to the first award evaluation. Example 1 35 Now referring to Figures 8A, 8B and 8C, an example of one embodiment of the method of the invention is shown. In Figure 8A an image is represented as comprising parts N:\Melbourne\Case\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 19 labelled L ("left"), C ("centre") and R ("right"). The image is formed when the three parts are in the juxtaposition shown in Figure 8A. The image formed by the juxtaposition of the image parts may be a picture of a 5 recognizable object such as an animal, or animated image such as a video clip, or any other image for which it is possible to recognize its formation in the correct juxtaposition. 10 In Figure 8B is shown the result of operation of the image part distributor on five display positions corresponding to cards 810a to 810e in a game of draw poker. In this example, the image parts have been distributed on the back of the cards, before the draw of the cards. Since the 15 image parts L, C and R appear across the display positions to as to create the image LCR, the bonus award is activated, and in this example the bonus award is that the next game is free. 20 In Figure 8C another game round is shown. In this example the image parts are on the symbol carrying face of the cards. The image part distributor 620 has distributed the image parts L, C and R into display positions 810d, 810b and 910e respectively. The image is not formed by this 25 juxtaposition and so the bonus award is not activated. After the distribution of the image parts, the draw part of the game round of draw poker proceeds. For example, the player may choose to discard the Jack 820d and keep the 30 pair of Aces 820a,820c and the pair of Tens 810b,810e in an attempt to build a full-house. Example 2 35 Now referring to Figure 9A, 9B and 9C, an example of another embodiment is shown applied to a game of the spinning reel type. In this example, a game is shown in progress in Figure 9A where the reels have spun and N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Speci\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 20 symbols already appear in the reel windows 820a to 820e. In Figure 9B, the image part distributor then distributes the image parts across the display positions. The C image part interacts with and obscures the symbol in the display 5 positions it occupies, whereas the L and R do not. The juxtaposition shown is a winning juxtaposition to activate the bonus award, signifying in this example that the next game is free. Outcome generator 630 updates meter data 646 to record the free game. In figure 9C an example of a non 10 winning juxtaposition in a subsequent game round is shown. It will be appreciated that the invention may be exercised so that the image parts interact with the game symbols or not, as shown in example 2, or so that the image parts 15 appear at a different time to the game symbols, as shown on the back face of the cards as shown in example 1. It will also be appreciated that the image may have any number of parts and in the case of spinning reels, the image parts may be distributed in their winning 20 juxtaposition to occupy multiple rows and columns. It will further be appreciated that additional conditions on the activation of the bonus award may be imposed without departing from the scope of the invention, such as a requirement that the image parts occupy particular ones of 25 the display positions, for example so as to align with the left-most reel. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The 30 program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server). 35 Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specio\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 21 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary 5 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 10 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any 15 other country. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09

Claims (39)

1. A method of gaming comprising: distributing a plurality of image parts of an 5 image across a Bet of display positions for display to a player; activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; 10 selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award. 15

2. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. 20

3. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 2 wherein the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols.

4. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 2 wherein 25 the image parts are displayed on a back face of the cards.

5. A method of gaming a claimed in claim 1 wherein the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side and the 30 symbols are symbols of the reels.

6. A method of gaming as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a 35 right image part.

7. A method of gaming as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bonus award is a prize, a free N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 23 game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round.

8. A method of gaming as claimed in any one of 5 claims 1 to 7 wherein the image is a design, pattern or picture.

9. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is an animated image. 10

10. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of activating the bonus award occurs only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions. 15

11. A gaming system comprising: a display for symbols to be displayed in a set of display positions to a player; an image part distributor for distributing a 20 plurality of image parts of an image across the set of display positions; a bonus award controller for activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; 25 a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and an outcome generator for determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award. 30

12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. 35

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 24

14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the image part distributor distributes the image parts on a back face of the cards prior to the playing card symbols being revealed. 5

15. A gaming system a claimed in claim 11 wherein the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side. 10

16. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part. 15

17. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round. 20

18. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein the image is a design, pattern or picture.

19. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 25 11 to 18 wherein the image is an animated image.

20. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19 wherein the bonus award controller is arranged to activate the bonus award only if the image parts occupy 30 particular ones of the display positions.

21. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 20 comprising a game play mechanism operable by the player to place a wager. 35

22. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 21, wherein the image part distributor, the bonus award controller, the symbol selector, and the outcome N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 25 generator are provided by a game controller constituted, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory. 5

23. A game controller comprising: an image part distributor for distributing a plurality of image parts of an image on a display across a set of display positions; a bonus award controller for activating a bonus 10 award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and an outcome generator for determining a game round 15 outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award.

24. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card 20 symbols.

25. A game controller as claimed in claim 24 wherein the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols. 25

26. A game controller as claimed in claim 24 wherein the image part distributor distributes the image parts on a back face of the cards. 30

27. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side.

28. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 35 23 to 27 wherein the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\SpeciS\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 26

29. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28 wherein the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round. 5

30. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 29 wherein the image is a design, pattern or picture. 10

31. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 30 wherein the image is an animated image.

32. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 31 wherein the bonus award controller is arranged 15 to activate the bonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions.

33. A method of gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a 20 plurality of display positions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selected from a Bet of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a 25 respective one of one or more larger images; performing a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and performing a second award evaluation of the 30 selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.

34. A game controller for a gaming system, the game 35 controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selected from a set of symbols N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 27 each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; 5 perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a 10 plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.

35. A gaming system comprising: a display for displaying symbols at a plurality 15 of display positions arranged in an array; a memory storing a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one 20 or more larger images; and a game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols from the symbol set for display at respective ones of the plurality of display positions; 25 perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols 30 include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.

36. Computer program code which when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement computer causes 35 the computer to implement the method of gaming of any one of claims 1 to 10 or claim 33.

37. A computer readable medium comprising the program N:\Melbourne\Casea\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09 - 28 code of claim 36.

38. A data signal comprising the computer program code of claim 36. 5

39. Transmitting the computer program code of claim 36. N:\Melbourne\Casea\Patent\76000-76999\P76305.AU\Specis\P76305.AU CAP.doc 20/02/09