US20100075730A1

US20100075730A1 - Nifty numbers

Info

Publication number: US20100075730A1
Application number: US12/284,458
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Curran Ungaro; Christopher John Nichols
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-23
Filing date: 2008-09-23
Publication date: 2010-03-25

Abstract

An electronic video gaming machine device utilizing a bill acceptor or coin acceptor designed so that a player may make a wager to gain higher awards or prescribed pay-outs if numbers come out in the prescribed pattern displayed on the pay table according to the pay-out schedule. The device has a total of thirteen laid down rules of numbers of which there are thirteen odd numbers and thirteen even numbers. The numbers are also marked with colors. The colors are thirteen red numbers, thirteen black numbers, thirteen blue numbers and thirteen green numbers. The player makes a wager to play a row of five numbers. After wagering of coin or credits, the device will present five numbers in a prescribed portion of the display screen. The player selects the numbers that will be kept by pressing the corresponding “HOLD BUTTON”. A repeated press of the same “HOLD BUTTON” will release the hold and the number will be replaced when the display button is pushed. The player can either cancel and replace numbers or accept the initial numbers selected. The device is coupled to a sound and audio system informing the player with wins or loses depending upon the final result. The amount won by the player is based upon the prescribed payout according to the pay table.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The device relates to primarily to video gaming machines. Most gaming machines use a poker hand ranking or some sort of display related to cards, video reels or video gaming machines using symbols. A majority of people who play gaming machines need some sort of basic principals of either playing poker, Black Jack or a new education on playing video reels.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,418 B2. (Moody) describes a method of playing video poker game whereby the player selects cards from the first hand as cards to be held are reused from the first hand into all other hands. Additionally, other cards are dealt to other hands.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,028 B2 (Fasbender et al.) describes a method of an apparatus that triggers a bonus event by the presence of symbols in particular locations for video presentation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,378 (Moody et al.) describes a multi-line slot machine method where a player makes a wager for each pay line on a slot machine that the player wishes to play using symbols for the pay lines. In any event, most gaming devices are designed to use a playing card or symbol indicia for purposes of displaying a prescribed payout system. The standard for all electronic video poker gaming machines is video Draw Poker utilizing a standard 52 card deck displaying a poker hand. The video poker machine displays replacement cards that the player has discarded during course of play. There is a pay-out table displayed usually on the face of the screen to understand the literacy of the arrangement of cards dealt.
A standard table depicts a typical payout schedule that is used in standard of the industry electronic video draw poker machines

TABLE

ROYAL FLUSH	250	500	750	1000	4000
STRAIGHT FLUSH	50	100	150	200	250
FOUR OF A KIND	25	50	75	100	125
FULL HOUSE	9	18	27	36	45
FLUSH	6	12	18	24	30
STRAIGHT	4	8	12	16	20
THREE OF A KIND	3	6	9	12	15
TWO PAIR	2	4	6	8	10
JACKS OR BETTER	1	2	3	4	5

The payback percentage can be adjusted depending on house preference or gaming regulations.

The average person that frequents a gaming establishment are by and large intimidated by the cards or symbols displayed on the machine screens and are to embarrassed to ask. Because of the growth by the rapid multiplication of video gaming machines in all versions preferably, by and large, Video Poker machines, there is room for a new version of gaming machine that use the universal language of numbers. Video poker machines are on the most part, popular in the United States with less acceptance in the World market. With this apparatus, the numbers can be changed to either Chinese, Arabic, Japanese or any other form of numbers prescribed for a particular region. It is an advantage of the present invention to increase the amount of play and more pay lines therefore, increasing the chances of the player to receive more pay outs per time played at the gaming machine. Other advantageous features of the apparatus will be more apparent for consideration when described in the detailed description. The present method is readily evident to those skilled in the art upon reading the following a collection of combined assemblage parts and qualities with the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method of the present invention is to make the player more comfortable at the gaming machine and being able to understand the basic principles of wagering on a set of particular displayed numbers. By using numbers, the player is more capable of understanding the basic principles of a wager on a video screen and can see what numbers corresponds with other numbers. The numbers can either be consecutive, odd, even or the same. The numbers can also come up in different colors odd or even. It just depends on how the numbers come out on the initial deal of the machine. This electronic video gaming machine apparatus displays the numbers after the insertion of coin or applied credits. Depending on the amount of the wager, and the correct numbers picked either by the player or machine. A pay out schedule is attached to the betting line and the apparatus pays the amount displayed. The apparatus is designed to accept anything from a single line of five numbers up to multiple lines of numbers utilizing specific places for the numbers to be displayed. The objective of the apparatus is to provide betting options and positions or lines to catch extra bonus pay-outs using simple numbers that is a universal language.
There are numerous different payout table schedules for the house to set into the device compared to the standard nine line pay-out tables. Depending on the gaming platform, this device will fill a concavity needed for the gaming establishments productivity in dealing with the new or disadvantaged player who really doesn't know Poker rankings per se. There are advantages to the house by coupling the apparatus to a server based system also. Numerous machines can be coupled together and by increasing the amount paid to a customer progressively the player can win more by collecting a cumulative jackpot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. shows standard view of the device configured to a single line number format.

FIG. 2. shows a view of the gaming device screen configured with four extra betting lines.

FIG. 3. shows a view of the gaming device in the process of selecting a new number using a different configuration.

FIG. 4. is a view of the screen filed with the replaced numbers after re-generating the screen.

FIG. 5. is a view of the device screen with a set of three line displays before the final numbers are displayed.

FIG. 6. is a view of the video screen after the numbers have been re-generated.

FIG. 7. is a view of a partial pay-out table that is used on the device screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes a various number of lines of application for the numbers to display. Depending on the floor application or casino management preference, the device can have only one line of five numbers or the device can be configured to have multiple lines of numbers. The device has a total of thirteen laid down rules of numbers of which there are thirteen odd numbers and thirteen even numbers. The numbers are also marked with colors. The colors are thirteen red numbers, thirteen black numbers, thirteen blue numbers and thirteen green numbers. After wagering a coin or credits, the device will present five numbers in a prescribed portion of the display screen. The player selects the numbers that should be kept. The player can either cancel and replace numbers or accept the initial numbers selected. The player either wins or loses depending upon the final result. The amount won by the player is based upon the prescribed payout according to the pay table. The audio and sound signals coupled to the device when the game is in action, will inform the player as the results are displayed.
In this first embodiment referring to FIG. 1., the display screen is single line display depicted by the number 46. After insertion of currency or credits by the player in the currency acceptor or ticket in acceptor 48, and by controlling the buttons on the display panel 28 or using a touch screen method that is to industry standards the player selects the amount to be wagered on each line. The player then presses the display numbers button 54 or the display button 12. This starts the controller in the device 10 to activate the random number generator embedded in the device 10. The RNG will display a set of five numbers on the screen 58 in the designated line 46. Should the numbers displayed all be of the same color, the player will have a winning combination. According to the pay-out table, this combination is a “MELD” (5 of the same color). Any pay table may be used for this device. The illustrated pay table will consist of a selected combination of the attached possible winning combinations. The selected number combinations will vary to accommodate various “Nifty Number Game Platforms”.
For illustration purposes, a representative pay table (Table 1.) is shown that can be modified at any given time by the house depending on season and player attendance.

TABLE 1

Nifty Numbers Pay-out Schedule

	Per Coin
	Wagered

High Running meld	9-10-11-12-13 (same color)	250
Low running Meld	1-2-3-4-5 (same color)
Running Meld	5 consecutive numbers (same color)	50
Quints	1-4 Number same value with wild
	number 1
(Quad) 13'	4-13 value numbers with 1-2 or 3 value	400
with 1-2-3
(Quad)1's wild	4-13 value numbers
(Quad) 13's	4 number 13's	160
(Quads) with 13	4 numbers all the same value with 13
(Quads)	4 numbers all the same value	25
All ODD	5 ODD valued numbers
All EVEN	5 EVEN valued numbers
Trips with Match	3 same-value numbers with
	2 same-value numbers	9
Even Meld	5 same-color numbers Even value
ODD Meld	5 same-color numbers ODD value
Meld	5 same-color numbers	6
RUN	5 consecutive numbers	4
Trips	3 same-value numbers	3
DBL. Match	2 sets of same value numbers	2
Match	2 same-value numbers	2


Nifty Numbers Pay-out Schedule Table 2. 56

HIGH RUN/SAME COLOR	250	500	750	1000	4000
(9 THRU13)
ANY RUN/SAME COLOR	50	100	150	200	250
4 13's WITH ANY 1, 2 OR 3	400	800	1200	1600	2000
4 13's	160	320	480	640	800
4 1, 2 OR 3's WITH ANY 1, 2,	160	320	480	640	800
3 OR 13
4 1, 2 OR 3's	80	160	240	320	400
4 4's THRU 2's	50	100	150	200	250
TRIPS WITH A MATCH	8	16	24	32	40
5 NUMBERS THE SAME COLOR	5	10	15	20	25
ANY RUN (5 CONSECUTIVE	4	8	12	16	20
NUMBERS)
TRIPS	3	6	9	12	15
DOUBLE MATCH	1	2	3	4	5
MATCH 10's OR BETTER	1	2	3	4	5

As depicted in FIG. 1., five numbers are displayed. The five numbers are five red 36, six red 38, 1 red 40, ten red 42, and there is one 13

green number

44. Numbers can also be selected by pressing the

hold buttons

16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. Also, a selected number may be canceled by again, pressing the corresponding “hold” buttons or release the hold on the touch screen by touching the number. According to this scenario, as depicted in FIG. 1., a number can be deselected if the player chooses, and try to get another number of the same color.

The player would press the button 16 and deselect the 13 Green and then press the button 12 for a re-selection of the particular number. The player could also touch the number 13 and get a re-draw. Should the re-selection produce a number that is RED in color, then the player would win a pay-out.
The player can also increase or decrease the wager by pressing the button 14 and the amount will display in the screen section 34. The player can also set the rate that he wants to play by touching the screen in position 32 or button 26. Should the player want to wager the his maximum bet every hand the player simply presses the Max Bet button 52 and the amount that the player set in box 32 will be wagered. All wagers made will be deducted and displayed in the credits window 30. All winning credits will be increased and displayed in the credits window 30. The Pay Table 56 is displayed on top of the screen 58 of the device 10 for the player to understand just what each pay-out line pays with credit in or coin in during course of play. See FIG. 8. Should the player want to cash-out, the player simply presses the cash-out button 60 and the winnings will be dispersed or printed from the device by means of slot 50 or coin return 62.
In this second embodiment referring to FIG. 2., the display screen is displaying a set of multiple lines. After the player determines how much is to be wagered, the player presses the draw button 12 or touch screen 54 and a first set of numbers are displayed on line 46. In this case, the numbers are as displayed. The player wants to re-select the number six red even 40. The player will then “HOLD” the remaining numbers 36, 38, 42 and 44 by pressing the “HOLD” buttons associated with the column of numbers to be displayed. So, by pressing the “HOLD” buttons 24, 22, 18 and 16 the initial numbers that were displayed will remain. By doing this action, a series of events form displaying the held numbers moving up the remaining lines 64, 66, 68, and 70 duplicating the numbers in the exact locations as in the first line 46 displaying the same color and odd or even. See FIG. 3. For the new display. The red six 40 with an X will be discarded when the player presses the display numbers button 12 or touches the display numbers on the screen 54 as depicted in FIG. 2. In this scenario, the new number red eight even 40 line 46 is displayed. See FIG. 4. On line 64 the number thirteen red odd 76 appears. On line 66 the number thirteen black odd appears 78. On line 68 the number ten green even appears 80. And on line 70 the number seven green odd appears 82. As prescribed by the Nifty Numbers Pay-Out schedule that is attached to this application, you have a few winning lines for the device because of the numbers that were randomly selected.
Referring to FIG. 4., a winning combination displaying on line 46 is a “Run” because the line is displaying five consecutive numbers. Therefore you have a winner. There also is a winner on line 64. This also is a “Run” because there are five consecutive numbers. On line 66, there is a winning combination because there are five consecutive numbers all of the same color because a thirteen black 78 filled the space and this line equates to a “High Running Meld”. There also is a winning combination on line 68 with a “Match” because there is two same-value ten numbers 88 and 80.
On line 70, there is no winning combination because nothing lines up either in consecutive order color or odd or even because green seven odd 82 did not complete the combination.
This device is designed so that the player can use the touch screen technology or the manual buttons located directly under the screen. This keeps the player in a comfort zone to the players choosing. By just using the touchscreen method, the player simply presses the number that he either wants to accept or discard. The player can engage in the selection by simply touching the number that appears on the screen 58. Should the player want a new number, or a line of numbers, the player can discard the numbers by touching the screen number making that number disappear and then press “DISPLAY NUMBERS” 54. The device will then regenerate a new set of numbers on the screen display. By adding extra lines in the pay-out table the house can change the amount paid on each line to generate more public acceptance and create more ways of attracting customers to their properties. The pay-out lines depending on the configured device can be arranged in other fashions including diagonal, horizontal and vertical.
In this third embodiment referring to FIG. 5., is a video screen of numbers in the process of being re-displayed on a three line video number machine. The player has already held the numbers that need to held to catch a winning combination on line 46. (The numbers held are depicted with the letter “H” FIG. 6.). The player has already discarded the number that he does not want to remain in the line 44 therefore, leaving the position 44 blank keeping the rest of the numbers on the line. The player now presses draw deal button 12 or touches the draw deal screen position 54 to receive another new number. During the course of events in the device, the existing numbers duplicate on the remaining lines 72 and 74 respectively in the exact same positions. In this embodiment, the number is “four red even” and displays in position 44 on line 46 but, two different numbers display on the two other lines 72 and 74. If you will note, there is a winner on two different lines. There is a winner on line 46 because all numbers have the same color red. On line 46 the winning combination is a “RUN” because the numbers are all of the same color. Line 72 has no winner because there is no value. Line 74 has a winner because the numbers have all of the same color red. Though this device has been depicted with illustration and example thereof and the simplicity of design, alteration and change may be made. The present method is readily evident to those skilled in the art, this new device, will enhance the betting action among the players and the house.

NUMBER TABLE

10 device (and housing)
12 display numbers button
14 max bet button
16 hold button for 44
18 hold button for 42
20 hold button for 40
22 hold button for 38
24 hold button for 36
26 bet per hand button (rate)
28 display panel (function panel)
30 credits display
32 bet per hand display (also touch screen position)
34 amount bet display
36 number display (touch screen position)
38 number display (touch screen position)
40 number display (touch screen position)
42 number display (touch screen position)
44 number display (touch screen position)
46 complete number line
48 currency acceptor
50 credit ticket return
52 max bet display (touch screen position)
54 display number (touch screen position)
56 pay table position
58 video screen
60 cash-out button
62 coin return
64 complete number line
66 complete number line
68 complete number line
70 complete number line
72 complete number line (FIG. 5 FIG. 6.)
74 complete number line (FIG. 5 FIG. 6.)
76 new number display
78 new number display
80 new number display
82 new number display
84 new number display (FIG. 5 FIG. 6.)
86 new number display (FIG. 5 FIG. 6.)

Claims

1. A method of playing a set of numbers comprising a video casino wagering apparatus comprising a housing having at least one display screen thereon having a number display with a wager entrance affixed to the device with a central processing unit coupled to a sound system that provides a separate or distinct audio sound when a start of a new game is activated by displaying a line of five numbers when the amount or credits or currency is on hand.

2. A method of claim 1. wherein the apparatus comprises a housing having multiple display regions on a video screen therein, each having provisions for numbers that are displayed as imaging models, wherein combinations of the imaging models define game outcomes, and at least some of the imaging models having borders for the images on the video screen that surround the displayed numbers.

3. A method of playing a wagering apparatus comprising a housing and video screen having multiple display regions thereon, each region of the video screen having a set of numbers that are displayed by a wagering entering system, coupled to a central processing unit and sound system wherein the central processing unit has the capabilities of coupling to other hardware that provides a separate or distinct sound of the apparatus to start a new wager game in the presence of money or credits wagered by means of:

a. amount of credits wagered and presence of credits;

b. position of certain numbers where the total configuration of all numbers does not provide a pay-out;

c. a size of pay-out according to the distinct line of numbers displayed;

d. denomination of currency or credits deposited and denoting one or more game losses;

e. denomination of currency or credits deposited and denoting one or more game wins.

4. A method of claim 1. wherein playing a wagering apparatus comprising a game screen and at least fifty-two numbers having four suits and thirteen laid down rules of numbers for playing of different denominations and color within each suit.

5. A method of claim 1. wherein an electronic system for playing a video number game having the display means to display the numbers further.

6. A method according to claim 1. of playing a video game in which a winning set of numbers generates a payout to a player using a computer and a video screen which comprises the following steps:

a. registering a first wager with said computer; randomly generating and displaying on said video screen a representation of a first number line consisting of a plurality of five numbers from a set of fifty-two numbers in said set of numbers having a face value;

b. discarding any number of numbers in said first number hand;

c. randomly generating and displaying on said video screen a representation of a replacement number for each number discarded to form a second number line from said fifty-two numbers;

d. offering to said player the choices of terminating said game;

e. comparing the face value of said additional number with the face value of each of the numbers in said fifty-two number count;

f. determining whether and in what amount said payout is to be made to said player according to said rank of said number line from a predetermined payout table.

7. A method of playing a wagering apparatus with a screen display utilizing frames wherein combinations of frames define game outcomes and at least some of the frames having borders imbedded in the video screen that surround the number displays.

8. A method of playing a wagering apparatus allowing a player to make at least one wager;

a. of said player to select at least one pay line;

b. allowing said player to select a single number position site, and said single position site being a number image of a display of number images;

c. displaying numbers on said display of number lines in a primary game;

d. determining whether a plurality of winning number combinations is present along at least one pay line within said display;

e. awarding a payout if one line of numbers in a plurality of winning number combinations is present along said pay line;

f. determining whether a combination of numbers is present along at least one pay line;

g. providing a bonus event and an option of initiating a bonus event if the said bonus event is present along at least one pay line;

h. providing at least two bonus events and an option of initiating a third bonus event if the said bonus events is present along at least three pay lines;

i. and providing one of an additional bonus event pay out and an option of initiating an additional bonus event based on the determination if said event is present at said single betting line.

9. A computer controlled display system including at least one server based central processing unit (CPU), said CPU coupled to at least one display apparatus for displaying a game and image on said display comprising;

a. storage means coupled to said CPU for storing at least one game play text file, and at least one symbol image document comprised of a image file, said equivalent text file including linking information that links at least one portion of said equivalent text file to at least one portion of said image file, said equivalent text file also including equivalency information detailing an equivalency relationship between said symbol image file and a corresponding text file, said equivalency information comprising;

b. at least one symbol set of information specifying at least one mapping of a group of symbols and said files to a special storage file by locating information in said image files of items referred to in said array of image files.