GB2416902A

GB2416902A - Gaming apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2416902A
Application number: GB0417232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Parker
Original assignee: BLUE ALPHA MAN CONSULTANTS Ltd
Current assignee: BLUE ALPHA MAN CONSULTANTS Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-02
Filing date: 2004-08-02
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Also published as: GB0417232D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an award display 2 and a play display 3. As an example, the award display shows a series of 12 symbols arranged in four vertical lines of three. The value of payout for each line of symbols is also shown with the display so a player has information as the highest value pay out accorded to each symbol combination shown. There is an input 4, comprising a button that is pressed to generate a particular award display. When a winning match of symbols between the award display 2 and the play display 3 is achieved, the player can collect winnings from the payment cup 7.

Description

Gaming Apparatus The present invention relates to gaming apparatus and in

particular but not exclusively to a slot machine or video game with enhanced player interest.

Gaming apparatus such as slot machines are well known and have generally been in use since the early 20th century. Machines for gaming come in many different forms, some are purely mechanical devices, others are electro-mechanical devices, while more recently, gaming apparatus in the form of electronic video-based machines have come onto the market.

Generally, in order to stimulate player interest, the player is provided with information concerning what they have to do to receive an award. The machine has pre-determined data that indicates an objective to be met to achieve the award. The player operates the apparatus until by skill, or by chance, he or she manages to match data secured by playing the apparatus with the pre- determined win data stored in the machine. An example of this if a player plays a slot machine with spinning reels. The player spins the reels until symbols such as pictures or numbers on the reels are displayed as data and a comparison is made with symbols displayed for a win line. The resulting line or lines are then compared with a pay-table which indicates the awards paid for achieving a set pattern of reels. However, it is always the situation that the player has to match play reels with an award and it may be the case that the player can become bored matching lines to a pre-determined and static award

card or pay table.

The current invention seeks to overcome problems associated with prior art gaming machines, where the game is played in a set format, by providing gaming apparatus and a method whereby the award line can be randomly selected and matched to play reels as an alternate to standard gaming. This has the advantage that the player rather than the apparatus can control the gaming. Further there is an added interest element for the player by being able to select the award which increases player enjoyment. This in turn can lead to an increase in turnover for the owner of the gaming apparatus due to an increase in player participation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus comprising a first display area for displaying an array of symbols indicating an award and a second display area for an array of symbols indicating a playline selected as a result of a player playing the gaming apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes at least one processor which can be operated to select symbols for the award or for the playline, with there being a control such that if one or more playlines are selected, the playline(s) are held in position, with there further being a player controlled input to randomly select an award, said input being operable until the award matches the playline that has been selected.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a credit input which includes a counter to control the number of times the player controlled input can be operated.

It is envisaged that the credit input is coin operated or token operated. As an alternative arrangement, the credit input includes a magnetic strip reader so that credit card operation of the apparatus is permitted. It is envisaged that the credit input reader is connected with a central computer, operated by for example a bank or building society so that payment for play can be verified prior to a player gaming in order to ensure sufficient funds are present for play.

It is preferred that the apparatus includes a selective controller, whereby the apparatus can be played conventionally whereby playlines are matched to an award or where an award can be matched to one or more playlines.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a memory control whereby each time the award is played to match a playline, then a credit paid into the credit input is recorded as having been used. By doing this, each play of the award is treated as a separate game.

It is envisaged that the apparatus can include a gaming display whereby the number of plays for the award is recorded and compared with the number of successful matches to one or more playlines.

Preferably a statistical analysis can made computed by a processor and the results can be shown on the gaming display. This can increase the enjoyment of play by providing the player with a visual indication of the success rate of matching the award with the or each playline.

It is envisaged that the gaming apparatus is of the slot machine type. However, the gaming apparatus may also be provided as a video game or even it has applications to a lottery type game.

In a preferred arrangement, the apparatus includes a pay-out controller wherein, if the award matches a proportion of the playline display a given pay out is made and if a greater match is secured, either on an individual play basis or over a given period of time, then a different level of pay out is made.

It is further envisaged that the gaming apparatus includes a timer whereby the player has a set time limit to match the award display to that of the play display.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gaming wherein an array of symbols generated as a result of play is displayed and these are held as a display during a game, an award display of symbols is then selected and depending on whether the award symbols match the play symbols, a prize is released from the apparatus.

Preferably, the method allows for a player to elect to play individual games or alternatively, each play may be cumulative.

It is preferred that the array of symbols for the award comprises a line of symbols.

It is envisaged that the method includes match the line of award symbols to one or more lines of symbols produced as a result of playing the apparatus.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures in which: Figure l shows: gaming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows: a schematic representation of how gaming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention can operate.

Gaming apparatus is generally shown as l in Figure 1. The apparatus comprises an award display 2 and a play display 3. The award display shows a series of 12 symbols arranged in four vertical lines of three. The value of payout for each line of symbols is also shown with the display so a player has information as the highest value pay out accorded to each symbol combination shown.

There is an input 4, comprising a button that is pressed to generate a particular award display.

Reels are shown at a play display 3. The display 3 comprises a series of three reels, each having three vertical symbols as part of the display. To play the game, a player inserts money, a token or credit card in a credit slot 6 to accrue gaming credits. The player can operate a play start button 5, to start play and this results in movement of the play reels to generate a play display. The player operates the award input 4 to generate an award display which the player tries to match to the play display. The player can accumulate credits or input further credits to operate nudge buttons which can be used to move elements of the play display to match the award display if required or vice versa. A processor within the gaming apparatus allows for either play where the award is matched to the play display or back to conventional play where the play display is matched to the award display.

When a winning match of symbols between the award display 2 and the play display 3 is achieved, the player can collect winnings from the payment cup 7.

Shown in Figure 2 is a schematic representation of control signal inputs to the gaming apparatus shown on side B of the Figure, while signal outputs are shown at side A of the Figure.

A credit input is used to start play by placing, in the case of a slot machine, coins in a slot acting as a credit input 6. A player can press an input 5 to start reels spinning to generate a display of symbols or the player generates an award display by pressing a control to generate a display of symbols 4. All of these actions involve input of signals to one or more microprocessors or CPU that is programmed to control operation of the gaming apparatus.

In part A of the representation, control output signals are generated to control play. The output signals control what symbols are generated at play display 3 and/or what symbols are generated at award display 2. If the symbols of displays 3,2 match or a combination of symbols match, a signal is sent to the payout mechanism 7 of the apparatus to release a payout for the player to collect.

Although the invention has been described with reference to an electromechanical device such as a slot machine, it could be used with a purely electrical device where the displays are generated by an LCD screen or even a lottery type gaming system.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognise that changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, the invention covers aspects of the invention as described both as individual aspects or combinations of the aspects described.

Claims

Claims 1. Gaming apparatus comprising a first display area for displaying

an array of symbols indicating an award and a second display area for an array of symbols indicating a playline selected as a result of a player playing the gaming apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes at least one processor which can be operated to select symbols for the award or for the playline, with there being a control such that if one or more playlines are selected, the playline(s) are held in position, with there further being a player controlled input to randomly select an award, said input being operable until the award matches the playline that has been selected.
2. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1, including a credit input which includes a counter to control the number of times the player controlled input can be operated.
3. Gaming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the credit input is coin operated or token operated.
4. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the credit input includes a magnetic strip reader so that credit card operation of the apparatus is permitted.
5. Gaming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the credit input reader is connected with a central computer.
6. Gaming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the central computer is part of a financial institution computer network.
7. Gaming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the financial institution computer network includes verification means to verify that sufficient funds are present in a particular account prior to play.
8. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim including a selective controller, whereby the apparatus can be played conventionally with playlines being matched to an award or where an award can be matched to one or more playlines.
9. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim including a memory control whereby each time the award is played to match a playline, then a credit paid into the credit input is recorded as having been used.
10. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim including a gaming display whereby the number of plays for the award is recorded and compared with the number of successful matches to one or more playlines.
11. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim including a display showing a statistical analysis of the success rate of matching the award with the or each playline.
12. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim which is of the slot machine type.
13. Gaming apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 being a video game.
14. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim included as part of a lottery game.
15. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim including a pay-out controller wherein, if the award matches a proportion of the playline display a given pay out is made and if a greater match is secured, either on an individual play basis or over a given period of time, then a different level of pay out is made.
16. Gaming apparatus according to any preceding claim including a timer whereby the player has a set time limit to match the award display to that of the play display.
17. A method of gaming wherein an array of symbols generated as a result of play is displayed and these are held as a display during a game, an award display of symbols is then selected and depending on whether the award symbols match the play symbols, a prize is released from the apparatus.
18. A method of gaming according to claim 17, which allows for a player to elect to play individual games or lO alternatively, each play may be cumulative.
19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the array of symbols for the award comprises a line of symbols.
20. A method of gaming according to any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the line of award symbols is matched to one or more lines of symbols produced as a result of playing the apparatus.
21. Gaming apparatus as substantially described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
22. A method of gaming as substantially described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.