AU724039B2

AU724039B2 - Poker machine game feature

Info

Publication number: AU724039B2
Application number: AU45402/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1996-11-26
Filing date: 1997-11-26
Publication date: 2000-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-26
Also published as: AU4540297A

Description

r n. r.

1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 ARISTOCRAT LEISURE INDUSTRIES PTY LTD

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Poker machine game feature The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- Poker machine game feature Background of the Invention The present invention relates to slot machines also known as poker machines and which will be referred to hereinafter by the generic term gaming machines. In particular, the invention provides a game to be played on such a machine.

Description of the prior art Players who regularly play gaming machines, quickly tire of particular games and it is therefore necessary for manufacturers of gaming machines to come up with either innovative game features that add interest to the games provided on such machines, or provide new games in order to keep the players amused and willing to continue playing gaming machines.

Recently, the gaming machine market has experienced considerable growth and there is intense competition between manufacturers of gaming machines to supply the various existing and new venues. Clearly the •revenue raised by an operator of a particular venue depends on the amount of S.money wagered. The amount of money wagered on a particular machine is related to the popularity of the inachine. Thus when selecting a supplier of gaining machines, the operator of venue often pays close attention to the 20 popularity of the various games with their patrons.

Therefore, gamning machine manufacturers are keen to devise games which are popular with players, as a mechanism for improving sales.

In particular, manufacturers regularly devise new games or game features which have not previously been seen on slot machines, in order to stimulate renewal of player interest.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate the disadvantages of the prior art discussed above and to provide an improved game for a gaming machine.

Summary of the Invention The present invention consists of a gaming machine having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game having a display wherein a plurality of indicia are randomly selected and displayed 3 RA4 ,he display means and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, a further indication or indications are then displayed, associated with a randomly selected symbol or symbols in the display, which indication or indications randomly move from symbol to symbol which at the time are associated with an indication, and on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular control the indicated symbols change to display a hidden prize or bonus associated with that indicated symbol or symbols.

A related aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game providing a first display in which a plurality of indicia are randomly selected and displayed on the display means said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reels, indicia of reels and indicia of playing cards and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, the screen display changes to a second display distinct from the first display comprising a static X x Y matrix of rows and columns of symbols, one or more indications associated with the 20 symbols appear, the indications moving from symbol to symbol to associate with various of the symbols wherein on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular control-, the indicated symbols associated with an indication change to display a hidden prize associated with that indicated symibol.

In a preferred embodiment, the indication of a particular symbol takes the form of a box, border or the like which encloses the symbol. The display may be an Xx Y matrix of rows and columns and one box may be provided on each row. The box may flash and/or move rapidly across the row randomly indicating various of the symbols in the row.

Thus, in a further aspect, the invention provides a gaming machine having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which a simulation of rotatable reels carrying various symbols is provided as a first display in which rotation of the reels is simulated and a plurality of symbols are randomly selected and displayed on the display R,\Nmeans and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the 3a game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, the screen display changes to display a second display distinct from the first including X x Y matrix of rows and columns of symbols, boxes which enclose some of the symbols appear, one box being provided on each row, and wherein each box moves rapidly across its respective row randomly indicating various of the symbols in the row in turn and wherein on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular, the indicated symbols change to display a hidden prize associated with that indicated symbol.

In a particular preferred embodiment the symbols are substantially identical to each other, and are typically representations of orchids.

Typically, the predetermined triggering event will be the occurrence of two or more GIRL indicia on a pay line, and the triggering of the event is accompanied by animation of the GIRL indicia (such as the GIRL moving her legs) and a particular sound, such as a bell.

The game may provide an indication of the available prizes hidden behind the orchids, although the specific location of a particular prize would not normally be indicated.

.i0o 20 Brief Description of the Drawings Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way o: of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- 2Figure 1 illustrates a gaming machine having a video simulation of a rotating reel display incorporating a game embodying the present invention Figure 2 illustrates a first screen display for the gaming machine of Figure 1; 0 Figure 4 illustrates a second screen display for the gaing machine of •Figure 1 i Figure 4 illustrates a othird screen display for the gaming machine of Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates a fourth screen display for the gaming machine of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a gaming machine control circuit 5. for the gaming machine of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments in the following detailed description, the methodology of the embodiments will be described, and it is to be understood that it is within the capabilities of the non-inventive worker in the art to introduce the methodology on any standard microprocessor-based gaming machine by means of appropriate programming.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which a slot machine 20 of the type having a video display screen 30 which displays a plurality of rotatable reels 32 carrying various symbols, 34, which, is arranged to pay a prize on the occurrence of a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols.

In the slot machine 20 illustrated in Figure 1, the game is initiated by a push button 36, however it will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that this operating mechanism might be replaced by a pull handle or other type of actuator such as a touch screen "Ibutton" in other embodiments Of the invention. The top box on top of the slot machine 20 carries the artwork panel 38 which displays the various winning combinations for which a prize jis paid on the machine.

The poker game played on the machine is a relatively standard poker game which includes a four by four symbol display and allows multiple pay lines.

When a particular trigger occurs, in this embodiment the trigger is 2, 3 or 4 GIRLS appearing on a win line, the particular game feature of the present invention commences. The GIRL symbols become be animated when the game feature of the present invention is triggered. A bell sound also occurs to alert the player to the triggering of the game feature.

The whole screen display changes and displays a four by four matrix of orchids 50 and the line indicators disappear, as illustrated in Figure 2.

After the orchid display has appeared on the screen, a relatively thick border appears around one of the orchids in each row of the display, as shown in Figure 3. Thus the orchid in the first row and the second column is enclosed by border, or box, 52. The orchid in the second row and the end column is enclosed by box 54, the orchid in the third row and first column is enclosed by box 56 and the orchid in the last row and third column is enclosed by box 58. The boxes then begin to flash and change position moving forwards and backwards along each row, in a manner such that there is oniy one box on each row at one time. The flashing is rapid so that it is difficult for a player to stop the box on a particular orchid.. by pressing a stop button, but not so quick that the movement is blurred.

At the same time, a clock or timer appears. A message such as:- "PRESS STOP BUTTON TO REVEAL 4 PRIZES" is displayed. The screen display also displays a message informing the player of the available prizes, for example:- "The available prizes are 10, 15. 30, 50, 100, or 3000 credits' The prizes offered are a function of the num-ber of credits bet per line, thus the more credits bet per line, the greater the prizes offered. There are a greater number of low value prizes and only one jackpot prize. The player then has to stop the boxes moving before the timer reaches zero.

Behind each orchid is a prize. The prize is hidden. There is no clue other than a players "intuition" as to where the particular prizes are. Once the boxes are frozen the ORCHIDS in the boxes flip over and the hidden prize behind each orchid is revealed, as illustrated in Figure 4. In Figure 4 the total prizes awarded to the player is the sum of boxes 52, 54, 56, and 58, which amounts to 105 credits.

The timer runs for ten seconds If the timer expires and reaches zero the boxes freeze where they are and the orchids flip over.

:If coincident trigger features occur, the game feature is repeated for each additional trigger, Thus if two trigger features occur at the same time as illustrated in Figure 5 where the player is playing all four lines of the display and two GIRLS have appeared twice on line 3 and on line 4, the game 25 feature repeats a second time.

Although the specific embodiment described above has a four by four display matrix the invention could be implemented an any size display matrix.

The game feature could also be incorporated into a card game such as a draw poker machine. For example tb,- fteat-uce may be invoked by an ACE in the first position and a club suit in the last position in hand. The whole screen would then change to an X x Y display anid the same sequence of events would take place as described above.

The program to implement the game runs on a standard gamning machine control processor 31 as illustrated schematically in Figure 6. This processor forms part of a controller 37 which drives the display screen 30 and receives touch input signals from touch sensors 39 as well as receiving coin input pulses from a coin chute mechanism 33 and driving a coin payout mechanism 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

1. A gaming machine having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game having a display wherein a plurality of indicia are randomly selected and displayed on the display means and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, a further indication or indications are then displayed, associated with a randomly selected symbol or symbols in the display, which indication or indications randomly move from symbol to symbol which at the time are associated with an indication, and on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular control the indicated symbols change to display a hidden prize or bonus associated with that indicated symbol or symbols.

2. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication of a particular symbol takes the form of a box or border which encloses the symbol.

3. A gaining machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display is an X x Y matrix of rows and columns and the indication of a particular symbol 20 takes the form of a box or border which encloses the symbol, one box being i. provided on each row and wherein each box moves rapidly across its respective row randomly indicating various symbols in the row.

4. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the display is an X x Y matrix of rows and columns and wherein the indication of a particular symbol takes the form of a box or border which enclose the symbols and flash rapidly.

A gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the symbols are identical to each other.

6. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined triggering event is the occurrence of two or more GIRL indicia on a pay line, and the triggering of the event is accompanied by animation of the GIRL indicia and a particular sound.

7. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein the animation of the GIRL indicia comprises the girls moving their legs.

8. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game provides an indication of the values of the available prizes hidden behind the orchids without indicating the specific location of a particular prize.

9. A gaming machine having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control mieans being arranged to play a game providing a first display in which a plurality of indicia are randomly selected and displayed on the display means said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reels, indicia of reels and indicia of playing cards and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, the screen display changes to a second display distinct from the first display comprising a static X x Y matrix of rows and columns of symbols, one or more indications associated with the symbols appear, the indications moving from symbol to symbol to associate with various of the symbols wherein on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular control, the indicated symbols associated with an indication change to display a hidden prize associated with that indicated symbol.

10. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein the game provides 20 an indication of the values of the available prizes hidden behind the symbols "-without indicating the specific location of a particular prize.

11. A gaming machine having display means, and game control means :***,arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which a simulation of rotatable reels 25 carrying various symbols is provided as a first display in which rotation of the reels is simulated and a plurality of symbols are randomly selected and displayed on the display means and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, the screen display changes to display a second display distinct from the first including X x Y matrix of rows and columns of symbols, boxes which enclose some of the symbols appear, one box being provided on each row, and wherein each box moves rapidly across its respective row randomly indicating various of the symbols in the row in turn and wherein on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular, the indicated symbols change Sto display a hidden prize associated with that indicated symbol.

12. A gaming machine having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which a simulation of rotatable reels carrying various symbols is provided as a first display or game in which rotation of the reels is simulated and a plurality of symbols are randomly selected and displayed on the display means and, if a winning combination occurs, the machine pays a prize, the game being characterised in that upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, the screen display changes to display a second display or game different from the first display or game, the display comprising a matrix of symbols, a further indication is then displayed, associated with randomly selected symbols, which indication randomly moves from one symbol to indicate another symbol, and on the expiration of a fixed period of time, or on the actuation by the player of a particular control, the indicated symbols change to display a hidden prize associated with that indicated symbol.

13. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein the indication of a particular symbol takes the form of a box or border which encloses the symbol.

14. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein the display is an 20 X x Y matrix of rows and columns and the indication of a particular symbol takes the form of a box or border which encloses the symbol, one box being provided on each row and wherein each box moves rapidly across its respective row randomly indicating various symbols in the row. S

15. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein the display is an X x Y matrix of rows and columns and wherein the indication of a particular symbol takes the form of a box or border which enclose the symbols and flash rapidly.

16. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the game provides an indication of the values of the available prizes hidden behind the orchids without indicating the specific location of a particular prize.

17. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 12 where there are a plurality of indications. Dated this sixteenth day of June 2000 ARISTOCRAT LEISURE INDUSTRIES PTY LTD Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO. o*