U.S. patent application number 09/681231 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-27 for electronic video gambling device with player controlled amusement feature.
Invention is credited to Bolich, Kathleen C., McKee, Eileen, Pascal, Andrew S., Payne, Fred Anthony.
Application Number | 20010024970 09/681231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26884606 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010024970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKee, Eileen ; et
al. |
September 27, 2001 |
Electronic video gambling device with player controlled amusement
feature
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
playing wagering games on an electronic video gaming device in
which a player controls an amusement feature of the device by use
of a pointing device, such as a trackball. In an exemplary
currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic
video gaming device comprises a virtual reel video type slot
machine including reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling
theme, and the amusement feature comprises an electronic video
simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame, in which the
player at least partially controls a position of a video
representation of a bowling ball by use of a trackball pointing
device. Preferably, the amusement feature becomes operative only
under certain predetermined or randomly determined conditions, such
as when a player obtains one of one or more predetermined winnings
of reel symbols operative to initiate a bonus opportunity. The
player control input in connection with the amusement feature may
be solely for player amusement and have no actual effect on the
outcome of any player wager, or may alternatively control, or at
least partially control, the outcome of at least a portion of the
play on the electronic video gaming device.
Inventors: |
McKee, Eileen; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Payne, Fred Anthony; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Bolich, Kathleen C.; (Davis, CA) ;
Pascal, Andrew S.; (Burlingame, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALL MARJAMA & BILINSKI
101 SOUTH SALINA STREET
SUITE 400
SYRACUSE
NY
13202
US
|
Family ID: |
26884606 |
Appl. No.: |
09/681231 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60188931 |
Mar 8, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3295 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination with an electronic video gaming device including
a video screen and means for playing a wagering game, a player
amusement feature comprising: means for producing a visual
amusement display on said video screen; and a control input device
operative on player manipulation to at least partially control said
visual amusement display.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for producing a
visual amusement display on said video screen is operative to
produce said visual amusement display only under certain
conditions.
3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said certain conditions are
predetermined.
4. The combination of claim 2, wherein said certain conditions are
randomly determined.
5. The combination of claim 2, wherein said certain conditions are
predetermined and occur on a random basis.
6. The combination of claim 2, wherein said certain conditions are
at least partial winning conditions of said wagering game.
7. The combination of claim 2, wherein said certain conditions are
bonus winning conditions of said wagering game.
8. The combination of claim 2, wherein said certain conditions are
bonus opportunity conditions of said wagering game.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein player input to said control
input device at least partially determines the outcome of at least
a portion of said wagering game.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein player input to said
control input device has no effect on the outcome of said wagering
game.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said visual amusement
display comprises a visual representation of an event determining
the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein player manipulation of
said control input device does not affect the outcome of said
visual representation of said event.
13. The combination of claim 11, wherein player manipulation of
said control input device determines the outcome of said visual
representation of said eve nt.
14. The combination of claim 11, wherein said event comprises at
least a portion of a bowling frame.
15. The combination of claim 14, wherein player manipulation of
said control input device determines an initial position of a
visual representation of a bowling ball.
16. The combination of claim 14, wherein player manipulation of
said control input device determines at least one rolling condition
of a visual representation of a bowling ball on a visual
representation of a bowling lane.
17. The combination of claim 16, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises rolling release time.
18. The combination of claim 16, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises degree of hook.
19. The combination of claim 16, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises direction of hook.
20. The combination of claim 16, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises approach position.
21. The combination of claim 16, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises lane condition.
22. The combination of claim 1, wherein said electronic gaming
device comprises a virtual reel type slot machine.
23. The combination of claim 22, wherein said virtual reel type
slot machine includes reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a
bowling theme.
24. The combination of claim 23, wherein said amusement feature
comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portion of a
bowling frame.
25. A method of playing an electronic video wagering game,
comprising the steps of: providing an electronic video gaming
device including a video screen and means for playing a wagering
game, means for producing a player amusement feature including a
visual amusement display on said video screen, and a control input
device operative on player manipulation to at least partially
control said visual amusement display; affording a player an
opportunity to place at least one wager to participate in said
wagering game; activating said player amusement feature upon
occurrence of a bonus activation condition during play of said
wagering game; and affording a player an opportunity to at least
partially control said visual amusement display by manipulation of
said control input device.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said certain conditions are
predetermined.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein said certain conditions are
randomly determined.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein said certain conditions are
predetermined and occur on a random basis.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein said certain conditions are at
least partial winning conditions of said wagering game.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein said certain conditions are
bonus winning conditions of said wagering game.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein said certain conditions are
bonus opportunity conditions of said wagering game.
32. The method of claim 25, wherein player input to said control
input device at least partially determines the outcome of at least
a portion of said wagering game.
33. The method of claim 25, wherein player input to said control
input device has no effect on the outcome of said wagering
game.
34. The method of claim 25, wherein said visual amusement display
comprises a visual representation of an event determining the
outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein player manipulation of said
control input device does not affect the outcome of said visual
representation of said event.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein player manipulation of said
control input device determines the outcome of said visual
representation of said event.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein said event comprises at least a
portion of a bowling frame.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein player manipulation of said
control input device determines an initial position of a visual
representation of a bowling ball.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein player manipulation of said
control input device determines an initial position of a visual
representation of a bowling ball.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises rolling release time.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises degree of hook.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises direction of hook.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises approach position.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one rolling
condition comprises lane condition.
45. The method of claim 25, wherein said electronic gaming device
comprises a virtual reel type slot machine.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein said virtual reel type slot
machine includes reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling
theme.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein said amusement feature
comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portion of a
bowling frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to wagering games, and more
particularly pertains to wagering games of the type played in
casinos on an electronic video gaming device.
[0002] A wide variety of electronic arcade games and gases adapted
for play on personal computers include an input device such as a
trackball, joystick, mouse, light gun, tough screen, etc. to enable
a player to make control inputs that affect events displayed on an
electronic video screen. For example, players of an arcade game
known as "Missile Command" use a trackball to attempt to shoot down
electronic representations of incoming enemy missiles displayed on
video screen.
[0003] Video bowling games for personal computers, such as a
shareware game known as WINBOWL, are also known, in which a player
sues a control input, a computer mouse for example, to control the
path of a video representation of a bowling ball down a video
representation of a bowling lane. Examples of online virtual
bowling games for personal computers may be played on the Internet
at http://www.brunswickbowling.com/html/game.ht- ml and
http://207.69.132.225/games/bowling/bowl.htm
[0004] A slot machine known as "Casino Bowling" developed by Anchor
Gaming and International Game Technology includes a bonus feature
themed around traditional bowling that is achieved when a player
lines up three bowling symbols on the game's payline. The bonus
feature encourages players to hit a "roll the ball" button on the
game's console, which triggers the game's version of a rolled ball
in a bowling alley. A win amount obtained by a player corresponds
to their total bowling score. Players who roll a perfect "300"
score win a bonus jackpot. The game allows players to experience
rolling a simulated bowling ball down a lane and "exploding"
bowling pins, which results in a strike, spare, split, or open
frame.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
playing wagering games on an electronic video gaming device in
which a player controls an amusement feature of the device by use
of a pointing device, such as a trackball. In an exemplary
currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic
video gaming device comprises a virtual reel video type slot
machine including reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling
theme, and the amusement feature comprises an electronic video
simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame, in which the
player at least partially controls a position of a video
representation of a bowling ball by use of a trackball pointing
device. Preferably, the amusement feature is associated with a
bonus event that becomes operative only under certain predetermined
or randomly determined conditions, such as when a player obtains
one or one or more predetermined winning combinations of reel
symbols operative to initiate a bonus opportunity. The player
control input in connection with the amusement feature may be
solely for player amusement and have no actual effect on the
outcome of any player wager, or may alternatively control, or at
least partially control, the outcome of at least a potion of the
play on the electronic video gaming device.
[0006] These and various other advantages and features of novelty
which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity
in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However,
for a better understanding of the invention, it advantages, and the
objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic video gambling
device according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective detail view
illustrating player control and video screen components of the
electronic video gambling device shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic video gambling
device 10 according to an example preferred embodiment of the
invention includes a vertically upstanding housing 12 having an
electronic video display screen 14. The device 10 may have the same
general configuration as depicted in U.S. Design Pat. No. 395,463,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The device 10 includes generally conventional coin 16 and bill 18
acceptors operative to receive coins, tokens, and bills for the
purpose of permitting players to place monetary wages in connection
with play of a gambling game on the device 10. As is generally well
known in virtual reel types of electronic gaming devices, the
gambling device 10 preferably includes an LCD display or counter 20
operative to display an accounting of credits accumulated by the
insertion of coins, tokens, or bills by a player into the acceptors
16 and 18. The electronic gambling device 10 preferably also
includes a chip or token return tray 22 for the purpose of
dispensing chips, coins, or tokens to a winning player during play
of a gambling game on the device 10.
[0010] The gambling device 10 also preferably includes a plurality
of player actuated push buttons 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 to
permit a player to select a wager amount, begin play of the game,
cash out remaining credits, and to control other aspects of game
play. In a preferred embodiment of a bowling theme virtual reel
type slot machine according to the present invention, the control
buttons preferably have the following functions:
[0011] "How to Play" button 24, when actuated, causes to appear on
a video display a partible of possible awards and their values, the
rules of the game, and instructions on how to play the game.
[0012] "Bet 1 Per Line" button 26, which wagers one coin on each
payline (there are 8 paylines in the example 3.times.3 game format)
and which initiates play.
[0013] "Bet 2 Per Line" button 28, which wagers two coins on each
payline and initiates play.
[0014] "Bet 3 Per Line" button 30, which wages three coins on each
payline and initiates play.
[0015] "Bet 4 Per Line" button 32, which wagers four coins on each
payline and initiates play.
[0016] "Bet MAX" button 34, which wages the maximum amount of coins
on each payline and initiates play.
[0017] PLAY--begins play of the game.
[0018] The invention contemplates that other common formats may be
utilized, such as a 9 coin per line maximum wager utilizing the
buttons "Bet 1 Per Line"--"Bet 2 Per Line"--"Bet 3 Per Line"--"Bet
5 Per Line"--and the "Bet MAX" button (in this instance 9 per
line).
[0019] The gambling device 10 may also include a touch screen
control having a plurality of regions designated for controlling
wager amounts and other aspects of play of the gambling device 10.
Such touch screen control may be provided in addition to the
control buttons, or as an alternative thereto, or the gambling
device 10 may be controlled by a combination of push buttons and
touch screen regions. as a further additional or alternative
mechanism for permitting a player to enter a control input, the
gambling device 10 may include a handle 40 for initiating play of
the gambling game after the placement of a wager. The handle 40 is
preferably an alternative to initiating play of the game by
depressing the control button 36.
[0020] Preferably, the gambling device 10 is a computer operated
device including, without limitation, a CPU, system bus, RAM, ROM,
and hard drive components (not shown), of the same general type as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,851, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0021] The gambling device 10, in the illustrated bowling theme
embodiment, includes suitable software and/or firmware operative to
cause a so-called "virtual reel" display comprising a matrix of
three horizontal rows 42, 44, and 46 and three vertical columns 48,
50, and 52 forming nine square display regions operative to display
bowling related symbols or indicia such as "Strike Bonus," "Spare
Bonus," and representations of bowling pins. The gambling device 10
may additionally display certain non-bowling related symbols, such
as the number "7."
[0022] The gambling device 10 is preferably operative to permit a
player to "spin" one or more of the nine square display regions
through suitable software and/or firmware. The "spinning"
capability of the "virtual reels" may vary within the scope of the
present invention. For example, a player might be able to
selectively "spin" one or more of the nine square regions on an
individually selected basis.
[0023] Alternatively, a player might be able to selectively "spin"
one or more of the horizontal rows 42, 44, and 46. In still another
alternative, a player might be able to "spin" one or more of the
horizontal rows 42, 44 and 46. In still another alternative, a
player might be able to "spin" one or more of the vertical columns
48, 50, and 52. It should be understood that although the preferred
embodiment has been illustrated with a three-by-three "virtual
reel" matrix, greater or fewer horizontal rows and/or vertical
columns may be provided within the scope of the invention. Further,
non-rectangular arrays of game symbols such as circles, hexagons,
random patterns, etc. may be utilized.
[0024] Various wager opportunities and associated winning
conditions for play of the gambling game 10 may be utilized. For
example, a player might be afforded an opportunity to place one,
two, or three wages in order to play row 42 only, or rows 42 and
44, or rows 42, 44, and 46. The potential winning amounts are
preferably greater for play of multiple rows. Alternatively, or
additionally, players may be afforded the opportunity to wager on
one or more of the vertical columns 48, 50, and 52, or might be
afforded an opportunity to wager on the occurrence of a particular
symbol in a particular square within the matrix.
[0025] In accordance with the invention, one or more regions of the
video display screen 14 are operative to display a video
representation of at least one bonus event upon occurrence of one
or more bonus event triggering conditions). In the illustrated
example preferred embodiment, the bonus event comprises at least a
portion of a bowling theme. The bonus event representations may be
displayed on an upper portion of the video screen 1 4, above the
central virtual reel display, or may alternatively be displayed
centrally, in place of the virtual reel display. In accordance with
the example bowling theme embodiment, the bonus event includes
video representations of at least one bowling lane 61, at least one
bowling ball 62, and an array of bowling pins 64.
[0026] The bonus event triggering conditions are preferably
predetermined combinations of bowling theme symbols in alignment in
ore or more rows or columns. Further, more than one bonus event,
triggered by different conditions, and with different potential
winning opportunities might be provided. For example, alignment of
three "Strike Bonus" symbols in a single row might trigger a "spare
bonus" event, and alignment of three "Spare Bonus" symbols in a
single row might trigger a "spare bonus" event. Further, the
gambling device 10 might be programmed such that the "strike bonus"
event occurs with less frequency and has a higher potential winning
amount than a "spare bonus" event. The bonus event may be
associated with an optional or mandatory additional wager, or may
require or permit no further wages beyond those initially placed
for play of the game. Also, the payoffs for the bonus event(s) may
be fixed amounts, a fixed multiple of a wager, a progressive
jackpot, a randomly determined amount, or a percentage of a
progressive jackpot. Further, the bonus event(s) may have multiple
potential payoff amounts that depend upon results obtained by a
player in the bonus event.
[0027] As an alternative to randomly occurring predetermined
winning conditions, the bonus activating or trigger event may be a
predetermined player controlled condition, such as placement of a
certain wager or certain combinations of wagers.
[0028] In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the
electronic gambling device 10 includes a control input, such as a
trackball 38 mounted on a horizontally extending front support
platform 39, to permit a player to make a control input that at
least partially controls the video representation associated with
the bonus event. In the illustrated embodiment, a player may
manipulate the trackball 39 to control the position of the bowling
ball 62 on the lane 61. In addition, or alternatively, the
trackball 38 may permit a player to control timing, release point,
hook, and speed of the ball 62. The present invention contemplates
that the control input through the trackball 38 may be solely for
player amusement and have no actual effect on the outcome of the
bonus event or any player wager, or may alternatively control, or
at least partially control, the outcome of at least a portion of
the play on the electronic video gaming device 1 0. In accordance
with the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the
player control input thought the trackball 38 is operative to
control only the video representation of the ball 62, and has no
effect on the outcome of the bonus event or any other player wager.
In this manner, the gambling device 1 0 affords a player amusement
feature, while at the same time maintaining compliance of the
device 10 with odds-based payoff statistics that would be upset by
a skill-based effect of player bowling ball manipulation on
wagering outcomes. Further, the player control input may control
only a portion of the video representation associated with the
bonus event, and may have no effect on the actual outcome of the
video representation. For example, the trackball 38 may control the
initial position of release of the bowling ball, but have no effect
on how many pins fall.
[0029] As an alternative to the trackball 38, or in combination
therewith, other player control input mechanisms may be employed
such as a computer mouse, touch screen light pen or gun, joystick,
steering wheel, pedals, buttons, etc. Further, although the present
invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a
bowling theme embodiment, the teaching and concepts of the
invention may be implemented in connection with various other
themes, such as race car themes, shooting gallery themes, hunting
themes, trap shooting themes, sailing themes, tennis themes, golf
themes, baseball themes, football themes, soccer themes, hockey
themes, basketball themes, horseshoes themes, horse racing themes,
etc.
[0030] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in foregoing description, together with details of the
structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts or types of
material within the principles of the invention to the full extent
indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the
appended claims are expressed.
[0031] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in
the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that
various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
claims.
* * * * *
References