• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A method and apparatus (10) for a gaming device in 5 which a player is awarded outright for a winning combination and may be eligible to engage in plural subsequent gaming propositions if a preset combination of symbols (28, 41) or other criteria is achieved. 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13
    公开号:AU2013203549A1
    申请号:U2013203549
    申请日:2013-04-10
    公开日:2013-05-02
    发明作者:Steven A. Weiss
    申请人:Aristocrat Technologies Inc；
    IPC主号:A63F13-00
    专利说明:
    -1 Gaming Device and Method Technical Field 5 The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and methodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a gaming device having a winning outcome where the player wins directly and a secondary outcome which allows the 10 player to participate a randomly-selected subsequent gaming event. Background Art 15 Traditionally, gaming machines afford a player one gaming proposition per gaming session. A player inserts credits and is eligible to play one game on that particular device. Ultimately, the player loses interest in that particular game and stops gaming. 20 Devices in the prior art exist that allow a player to engage in a second gaming proposition during the same gaming session, but these are also limited. A particular gaming device of this type offers the same set of two 25 gaming propositions, and thus suffers from the same problem as traditional gaming devices. Summary of the Invention 30 In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming device, comprising: a wager receiver; a processor responsive to receipt of a wager in said wager receiver; 35 a display; a random generator arranged to cause symbols to be placed on said display; 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13 -2 a comparator which awards certain symbol combinations on said display; wherein said symbols on the display are disposed in a row and column matrix configuration; 5 a symbol randomly generated and located outside said matrix; and means to allow a player to select a column of said matrix whereupon said symbol located outside said matrix descends to a lowest unoccupied row in said column, and to 10 cause subsequent symbols similarly generated and located outside said matrix to descend to a lowest unoccupied row in a selected column until a series of linearly matching symbols exist, whereupon the symbols disappear and credits are awarded until said matrix is filled with nonmatching 15 symbols. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming method, the steps including: 20 receiving a wager; displaying an unpopulated matrix to be populated with symbols; displaying a symbol outside the matrix; receiving instruction from a player as to relocating 25 the symbol in one column of the matrix; placing the symbol in an unoccupied lowest row of the column; successively displaying further symbols outside the matrix and relocating each further symbol in a column 30 designated by the player in an unoccupied lowest row of the designated column; removing a series of matching symbols from the array; filling the matrix; and rewarding the player based on the removed series of 35 matching symbols. 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13 -3 Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a flowchart of the methodology according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 Figure 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith. Figure 3 is a depiction of the display screen shown 10 in Figure 2, depicting an RXC matrix, having N pay lines. Figure 4 is a depiction of a display screen shown in Figure 2, depicting a matching game. 15 Figure 5 is a depiction of a display screen shown in Figure 2, depicting a symbol aligning game. Best Mode(s) of Carrying Out The Invention 20 Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts through the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 as shown in Figure 2 is directed to an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 25 In its essence, the apparatus 10 includes a housing 16 which supports a visualdisplay 2, preferably a video monitor, therewithin. Alternatively, the device may use a mechanical reel system. The display 2 may include a window 8 for special messages or for incrementing counting of 30 credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED or other readout 4 for prompting the player and can provide similar verbiage as the window 8 or in lieu thereof, to stimulate the player. The device includes an inlet 6 for the reception therein for coins, 35 currency or the like to auger in the inception of play. A plurality of decision-making buttons 12 are located on the face of the apparatus 10, preferable below the display 2 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13 -4 and a pull handle 14 can be used to initiate play as an alternative to supplement the decision-making buttons 12. A coin hopper 18 or other payment methods, i.e., ticket printers, may be included to effectuate an output of an 5 award due the player. The apparatus 10 may have a top portion 32 with a display thereon having a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include a paytable. A plurality of speakers 34 may be included on the device for aural interaction with the player. The 10 apparatus also includes a processor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for generating outcomes. More specifically, and with reference to figure 3, greater details with respect to the video display 2 can be 15 explored. The display 2 features a plurality of symbols 20 arranged in a row and column (RXC) matrix 21. Paylines 22 correspond to areas on the matrix in which winning combinations may be located. The preferred embodiment features a 3-by-5 matrix with either 9 or 15 paylines. 20 Referring to figure 1, the flow chart associated with the apparatus of figures 2 and 3 can be explored. Initially, the player plays the game with a maximum bet or less. Preferably, but optionally, a maximum bet or other special condition enables the features of the invention. 25 Assume a maximum bet is required. If the player plays with less than a maximum bet, the outcome is determined by the symbols displayed according to the display in figure 3. If the player opts to play with a maximum bet, then after the initial outcome is displayed, the player is immediately 30 rewarded if the initial outcome corresponds to a value on an associated paytable. If the initial outcome matches a preset triggering outcome, a preferably randomly-chosen second game is initiated, and the player has further opportunities to win. An example of a special condition 35 which triggers the second game is the appearance of a special symbol on the initial game. 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13 -5 In the preferred embodiment, one of the randomly chosen games is a matching game in which a player is given a symbol and a random number of spins to match the chosen symbol. For this game, the display 2 consists of symbols 5 displayed in a row and column (RXC) matrix. At the beginning, the matrix contains no symbols. Each position in the matrix is then filled with a randomly-chosen symbol. Any symbol that matches the chosen symbol is then frozen in position, and the remaining positions are "re 10 spun," or again filled with randomly-chosen symbols. Again, the positions of any matching symbols are frozen and the positions are re-spun until the player has used all of the allotted spins. The player is awarded credits for each matching symbol. 15 Another of the randomly-chosen games may be a spatial relationship and cognate based game in which the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and column (RXC) matrix, preferably a 3X3 matrix. A randomly-chosen symbol appears above the matrix, and the player indicates the 20 column in which to place that symbol. The chosen symbol drops down the indicated column to the lowest available position (i.e., row). If the player lines up three symbols in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, those three symbols disappear and all symbols drop down to 25 the lowest available position. Alternatively, winning outcomes other than three symbols in a row may be used. For example, a single symbol may increment credits directly or a single symbol may be a "joker", "wild card", or "universal symbol" which assumes a value most helpful 30 to the player. The player continues to play in this manner until the entire matrix has been filled without achieving the desired combination. The player is then awarded credits for each set of three symbols. In the preferred embodiment, one of the randomly 35 chosen games is a matching game, shown in figure 4, in which a player is given a designated, chosen symbol 25 and a random number of spins 26 to match the chosen symbol. 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13 -6 For this game, the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and column (RXC) matrix 27. At the beginning, the matrix 27 contains no symbols. Each position in the matrix is then filled with a randomly-chosen symbol 28. Any 5 symbol that matches the chosen symbol is then frozen in position, and the remaining positions are "re-spun," or again filled with 30 randomly-chosen symbols 28. Again, the positions of any matching symbols are frozen and the positions are re-spun until the player has used all of the 10 allotted spins. The player is awarded credits for each matching symbol. Another of the randomly-chosen games may be a symbol aligning game, depicted in FIG. 5, in which the display 2 consists of symbols displayed in a row and column (RXC) 15 matrix, preferably a 3X3 matrix 40. A randomly-chosen symbol 41 appears above the matrix, and the player indicates the column 42 in which to place that symbol. The chosen symbol drops down the indicated column to the lowest available position. If the player lines up three 20 symbols in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, those three symbols disappear and all remaining symbols drop down to the lowest available position. Alternatively, winning combinations other than three symbols in a row, column or diagonal may be used. 25 The player continues to play in this manner until the entire matrix 40 has been filled with symbols without achieving the desired combination. The player is then awarded credits for each set of three symbols achieved. Moreover, having thus described the invention, it 30 should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims. 35 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13
    权利要求:
    Claims (4)
    [1] 1. A gaming device, comprising: a wager receiver; 5 a processor responsive to receipt of a wager in said wager receiver; a display; a random generator arranged to cause symbols to be placed on said display; 10 a comparator which awards certain symbol combinations on said display; wherein said symbols on the display are disposed in a row and column matrix configuration; a symbol randomly generated and located outside said 15 matrix; and means to allow a player to select a column of said matrix whereupon said symbol located outside said matrix descends to a lowest unoccupied row in said column, and to cause subsequent symbols similarly generated and located 20 outside said matrix to descend to a lowest unoccupied row in a selected column until a series of linearly matching symbols exist, whereupon the symbols disappear and credits are awarded until said matrix is filled with nonmatching symbols. 25
    [2] 2. A gaming method, the steps including: receiving a wager; displaying an unpopulated matrix to be populated with symbols; 30 displaying a symbol outside the matrix; receiving instruction from a player as to relocating the symbol in one column of the matrix; placing the symbol in an unoccupied lowest row of the column; 35 successively displaying further symbols outside the matrix and relocating each further symbol in a column designated by the player in an unoccupied lowest row of 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13 -8 the designated column; removing a series of matching symbols from the array; filling the matrix; and rewarding the player based on the removed series of 5 matching symbols.
    [3] 3. A gaming system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10
    [4] 4. A gaming method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 4233680_1 (GHMatters) P88293.AU.3 10/04/13
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    AU2013203549B2|2015-08-20|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US5265888A|1990-06-22|1993-11-30|Nintendo Co., Ltd.|Game apparatus and memory cartridge used therefor|
    CA2341020A1|1998-08-27|2000-03-09|Erica Frohm|Gaming machine for playing a board game|
    法律状态:
    2015-12-17| FGA| Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)|
    2021-09-30| MK14| Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US09660993||2000-09-13||
    AU2009250984A|AU2009250984B2|2000-09-13|2009-12-16|Gaming device and method|
    AU2013203549A|AU2013203549B2|2000-09-13|2013-04-10|Gaming device and method|AU2013203549A| AU2013203549B2|2000-09-13|2013-04-10|Gaming device and method|
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