U.S. patent application number 10/122569 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for allowing a player-banker to play against at least one virtual opponent.
Invention is credited to Yang, Arden.
Application Number | 20030119574 10/122569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21680032 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030119574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang, Arden |
June 26, 2003 |
Computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for allowing a
player-banker to play against at least one virtual opponent
Abstract
A computer-implemented method allows a player-banker to play a
wagering game against at least one virtual opponent. The
player-banker selects virtual opponents and accepts wagers from
them. The gaming apparatus determines the winners and adjusts the
credits according to the rules of the wagering game. In the method,
a gaming apparatus includes a user input unit and a display unit,
and the player selects virtual opponents via the user input unit. A
computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a
user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Yang, Arden; (Rosemead,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1200
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
21680032 |
Appl. No.: |
10/122569 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3262 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 26, 2001 |
TW |
090132367 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A computer-implemented method for playing a wagering game,
comprising: (a) providing a gaming apparatus that includes a user
input unit and a display unit; (b) allowing a player-banker to
operate the user input unit for selecting at least one virtual
opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one
virtual opponent; and (c) allowing the player-banker to play the
wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent,
wherein the gaming apparatus shows progress of the wagering game
played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual
opponent on the display unit, wherein the gaming apparatus
determines the winner between the player-banker and each of said at
least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules
associated with the wagering game, wherein the gaming apparatus
shows result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with
each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and
wherein the gaming apparatus adjusts credits for the player-banker
and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the
result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each
of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the
wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
2. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
in step (b), the player-banker is further allowed to select the
wagering game from a set of different games.
3. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the set of different games includes card games and dice games.
4. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
in step (c), the gaming apparatus awards bonus credit to the
player-banker when a predetermined condition is detected.
5. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the predetermined condition is one in which the player-banker is
dealt with a predetermined hand by the gaming apparatus.
6. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the predetermined condition is one in which the player-banker won
against each of said at least one virtual opponent.
7. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
in step (c), the gaming apparatus allows winning ones of said at
least one virtual opponent to give a tip credit to the
player-banker.
8. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising the step of: (d) allowing the player-banker to continue
playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match
a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent, and to
stop playing when otherwise.
9. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 8, wherein
step (d) includes the sub-step of reducing a current number of
virtual opponents playing with the player-banker when the credit of
the player-banker is insufficient to support the wagers to be made
by the current number of virtual opponents.
10. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 8, wherein
step (d) includes the sub-step of allowing the player to quit
playing the wagering game.
11. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes
a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit coupled to
the user input unit and the display unit, said computer program
product adapting the gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game,
said computer program product comprising: a computer readable
storage medium comprising: a first code that directs the processor
unit to allow a player-banker to operate the user input unit for
selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager
from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and a second code
that directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to play
the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent,
including a code that directs the processor unit to show progress
of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said
at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that
directs the processor unit to determine the winner between the
player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent
according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game,
a code that directs the processor unit to show result of the
wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at
least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and a code that
directs the processor unit to adjust credits for the player-banker
and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the
result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each
of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the
wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
12. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the first code further directs the processor unit to allow the
player-banker to select the wagering game from a set of different
games that includes card games and dice games.
13. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the second code further includes a code that directs the processor
unit such that winning ones of said at least one virtual opponent
give a tip credit to the player-banker.
14. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said computer readable storage medium further comprises: a third
code that directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to
continue playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient
to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent,
and to stop playing when otherwise.
15. A gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game, comprising: a
user input unit; a display unit; first means for allowing a
player-banker to operate said user input unit so as to select at
least one virtual opponent and so as to accept a wager from each of
said at least one virtual opponent; and second means for allowing
the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at
least one virtual opponent, wherein progress of the wagering game
played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual
opponent is shown on the display unit, wherein the winner between
the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent is
determined according to a set of game rules associated with the
wagering game, wherein result of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent is
shown on the display unit, and wherein credits for the
player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent are
adjusted according to the result of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and
with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one
virtual opponent.
16. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first
means further allows the player-banker to select the wagering game
from a set of different games that includes card games and dice
games.
17. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said
second means further allows winning ones of said at least one
virtual opponent to give a tip credit to the player-banker.
18. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further
comprising: third means for allowing the player-banker to continue
playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match
a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent, and to
stop playing when otherwise.
19. A gaming apparatus comprising a user input unit, a display
unit, a processor unit coupled to said user input unit and said
display unit, and a computer program product for adapting said
gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game, said computer program
product comprising a computer readable storage medium that
includes: a first code that directs said processor unit to allow a
player-banker to operate said user input unit for selecting at
least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of
said at least one virtual opponent; and a second code that directs
said processor unit to allow the player-banker to play the wagering
game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, including a
code that directs said processor unit to show progress of the
wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at
least one virtual opponent on said display unit, a code that
directs said processor unit to determine the winner between the
player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent
according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game,
a code that directs said processor unit to show result of the
wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at
least one virtual opponent on said display unit, and a code that
directs said processor unit to adjust credits for the player-banker
and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the
result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each
of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the
wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
20. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first
code further directs said processor unit to allow the player-banker
to select the wagering game from a set of different games that
includes card games and dice games.
21. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said
second code further includes a code that directs said processor
unit such that winning ones of said at least one virtual opponent
give a tip credit to the player-banker.
22. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said
computer readable storage medium further includes: a third code
that directs said processor unit to allow the player-banker to
continue playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient
to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent,
and to stop playing when otherwise.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of R.O.C. Patent
Application No. 090132367, filed on Dec. 26, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a gaming apparatus, more
particularly to a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus
for allowing a player-banker to play against at least one virtual
opponent.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A conventional gaming apparatus allows players to playa
one-to-one game with a computer acting as a virtual banker. It is
desired by some players to be able to play a one-to-many game to
increase their chances of winning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for allowing a
player-banker (i.e., the human player playing the role of a virtual
banker) to play against at least one virtual opponent.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a computer-implemented method for playing a wagering game. The
computer-implemented method comprises:
[0008] (a) providing a gaming apparatus that includes a user input
unit and a display unit;
[0009] (b) allowing a player-banker to operate the user input unit
for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a
wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and
[0010] (c) allowing the player-banker to play the wagering game
with each of said at least one virtual opponent, wherein the gaming
apparatus shows progress of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on
the display unit, wherein the gaming apparatus determines the
winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one
virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with
the wagering game, wherein the gaming apparatus shows result of the
wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at
least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and wherein the
gaming apparatus adjusts credits for the player-banker and each of
said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the
wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at
least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed
by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a computer program product for a gaming apparatus that
includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit
coupled to the user input unit and the display unit. The computer
program product adapts the gaming apparatus for playing a wagering
game, and comprises:
[0012] a computer readable storage medium comprising:
[0013] a first code that directs the processor unit to allow a
player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least
one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at
least one virtual opponent; and
[0014] a second code that directs the processor unit to allow the
player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least
one virtual opponent, including a code that directs the processor
unit to show progress of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on
the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to
determine the winner between the player-banker and each of said at
least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules
associated with the wagering game, a code that directs the
processor unit to show result of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on
the display unit, and a code that directs the processor unit to
adjust credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one
virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game
played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual
opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at
least one virtual opponent.
[0015] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a gaming
apparatus for playing a wagering game comprises:
[0016] a user input unit;
[0017] a display unit;
[0018] first means for allowing a player-banker to operate the user
input unit so as to select at least one virtual opponent and so as
to accept a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent;
and
[0019] second means for allowing the player-banker to play the
wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent,
wherein progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker
with each of said at least one virtual opponent is shown on the
display unit, wherein the winner between the player-banker and each
of said at least one virtual opponent is determined according to a
set of game rules associated with the wagering game, wherein result
of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said
at least one virtual opponent is shown on the display unit, and
wherein credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one
virtual opponent are adjusted according to the result of the
wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at
least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed
by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, a gaming
apparatus comprises a user input unit, a display unit, a processor
unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit, and a
computer program product for adapting the gaming apparatus for
playing a wagering game. The computer program product comprises a
computer readable storage medium that includes:
[0021] a first code that directs the processor unit to allow a
player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least
one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at
least one virtual opponent; and
[0022] a second code that directs the processor unit to allow the
player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least
one virtual opponent, including a code that directs the processor
unit to show progress of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on
the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to
determine the winner between the player-banker and each of said at
least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules
associated with the wagering game, a code that directs the
processor unit to show result of the wagering game played by the
player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on
the display unit, and a code that directs the processor unit to
adjust credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one
virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game
played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual
opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at
least one virtual opponent.
[0023] This invention provides a computer-implemented method and
gaming apparatus that not only reverse the roles of the human
player and the computer in the conventional gaming apparatus, but
also allow the player to play a one-to-many game with virtual
opponents for added excitement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
a gaming apparatus according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the preferred
embodiment; and
[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts to illustrate the preferred
embodiment of a computer-implemented method for allowing a
player-banker to play against at least one virtual opponent
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of a gaming
apparatus 1 according to the present invention is adapted for
allowing a player-banker to play a wagering game against at least
one virtual opponent. Referring further to FIG. 2, the gaming
apparatus 1 comprises a user input unit 11, a processor unit 12, a
display unit 13, a sound generating unit 14, and a power supply
unit 15 coupled to the user input unit 11, the processor unit 12,
the display unit 13 and the sound generating unit 14. The user
input unit 11 is operable so as to receive an input from the user.
The display unit 13 is operable so as to show game images thereon.
The sound generating unit 14 is operable so as to provide audible
instructions and information to the user. The processor unit 12 is
coupled to and controls the operations of the user input unit 11,
the display unit 13 and the sound generating unit 14 in accordance
with pre-programmed instructions. Preferably, the processor unit 12
is in the form of a circuit board that is mounted removably in the
gaming apparatus 1 and that includes: a computer readable storage
medium 121, such as a read-only memory device, recorded with
program codes for performing the computer-implemented method of
this invention; a central processing unit (CPU) 122 for executing
the program codes; an image processor 123; and a random access
memory (RAM) 124. However, it should be apparent to those skilled
in the art that the processor unit 12 can also be implemented with
a storage medium in the form of a floppy disk, a compact disk, a
game cartridge, or any other readable storage medium.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the program codes in the storage
medium 121 control game progress as follows:
[0030] Step (a): First, game-initiating processing is executed.
When the gaming apparatus 1 is activated, the CPU 122 retrieves
image data from the storage medium 121 and sends the same to the
image processor 123 for processing. The output of the image
processor 123 is sent to the display unit 13 to serve as a visual
interface with the player. At the same time, audio data will be
sent to the sound generating unit 14 for audio effects. As such,
prior to starting a game, the display unit 13 is able to show a
series of demonstration images until a player enters a game-playing
command via the user input unit 11. The game-playing command can be
input as a result of a coin-inserting action, and the flow proceeds
to the next step (Step (b)) in response to the game-playing
command.
[0031] Step (b): Upon receipt of the game-playing command, the
processor unit 12 will be directed to control the display unit 13
to show a set of different wagering games thereon for selection by
the player via the user input unit 11. The wagering games include
card games, such as blackjack and five-hand poker, and dice games.
The flow proceeds to the next step (Step (c)) after the desired
wagering game has been selected.
[0032] Step (c): Since the player plays the role of a banker, the
processor unit 12 first determines whether the credit of the
player-banker is sufficient to match a preset maximum possible
wager for one virtual opponent. Play is terminated when the player
credit is insufficient (Step (d)). Otherwise, the flow proceeds to
the next step (Step (e)).
[0033] Step (e): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to
control the display unit 13 to show images of game-playing figures
to represent a desired number of virtual opponents (up to a maximum
of five virtual opponents in this embodiment) and to be selected by
the player-banker via the user input unit 11. After selection, the
player-banker will be shown in a predetermined position on the
display unit 13, and his virtual opponents will be shown on the
display unit 13 opposite to him. The flow then proceeds to the next
step (Step (f)).
[0034] Step (f): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to
allow the player-banker to input an acceptable wager from each
virtual opponent via the user input unit 11. In this embodiment,
the acceptable wager is a maximum wager limit for each virtual
opponent. The actual wager placed by each virtual opponent is
determined by the processor unit 12 such that the total amount of
wagers placed by the virtual opponents do not exceed the
player-banker's current credit. The flow then proceeds to the next
step (Step (g)).
[0035] Step (g): Play of the selected wagering game starts in this
step. Initially, cards are dealt or dice are thrown, and the result
is shown on the display unit 13. In this example, the selected
wagering game is a card game, and the player-banker is given an
option of raising the wagers upon evaluating an initial dealt card
hand (Step (h)). Step (i) is performed to allow the player-banker
to raise the wagers via the user input unit 11. Otherwise, the flow
proceeds directly to the next step (Step (j)).
[0036] Step (j): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to
show progress of the wagering game on the display unit 13. The
processor unit 12 then determines the winner between the
player-banker and each virtual opponent according to a set of game
rules associated with the selected wagering game. The flow then
proceeds to the next step (Step (k)).
[0037] Step (k): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to
show the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker
with each virtual opponent on the display unit 13, and adjusts
credits for the player-banker and each virtual opponent according
to the result of the wagering game and with reference to the wager
placed by each virtual opponent. The credits for the player-banker
and each virtual opponent are stored in the RAM 124. The flow then
proceeds to the next step (Step (l)).
[0038] Step (l): In the preferred embodiment, the processor unit 12
is directed in this step such that a winning virtual opponent may
give a tip credit to the player-banker. The adjusted credits are
shown on the display unit 13. The flow then proceeds to the next
step (Step (m)).
[0039] Step (m): In this step, the processor unit 12 determines
whether the player-banker is entitled to bonus credit. The
player-banker is awarded with bonus credit when a predetermined
condition is detected. The predetermined condition may be one in
which the player-banker is dealt with a predetermined hand by the
gaming apparatus 1 or one in which the player-banker won against
each virtual opponent. The bonus credit is awarded in Step (n) when
the predetermined condition is detected. Otherwise, the flow
proceeds directly to the next step (Step (o)).
[0040] Step (o): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to
prompt the player as to whether play is to be continued. If the
player's answer is no, the flow can proceed back to Step (a).
Otherwise, the flow proceeds back to either Step (b) to select a
different wagering game or Step (c).
[0041] In an alternative embodiment, before playing a new game, the
processor unit 12 is directed to reduce a current number of virtual
opponents playing with the player-banker when the credit of the
player-banker is insufficient to support the wagers to be made by
the current number of virtual opponents.
[0042] It has thus been shown that the computer-implemented method
and gaming apparatus of this invention enable players to play the
role of a banker in different wagering games. They also enable
players to play against more than one virtual opponent at the same
time. The inclusion of bonus and tip credits enhances excitement
and entertainment when playing with the gaming apparatus of this
invention.
[0043] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *