U.S. patent application number 11/075139 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a progressive game.
Invention is credited to Arden Yang.
Application Number | 20060019737 11/075139 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35657950 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060019737 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Arden |
January 26, 2006 |
Computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a
progressive game
Abstract
A computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game
includes: a) playing a main game that is associated with a
predetermined first prize combination including a set of virtual
prizes, and that is further associated with a set of predefined
first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual prizes in the
first prize combination; b) awarding the player one of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination when the outcome of the main
game played in step a) matches the first winning criteria; c)
repeating steps a) and b) until the player has collected all of the
virtual prizes in the first prize combination; and d) playing a
bonus game when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes
in the first prize combination. A gaming apparatus for performing
the computer-implemented method is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Yang; Arden; (San-Chung
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
35657950 |
Appl. No.: |
11/075139 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/019 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 23, 2004 |
TW |
093122096 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game,
said computer-implemented method comprising: a) playing a main
game, the main game being associated with a predetermined first
prize combination that includes a set of virtual prizes, and being
further associated with a set of predefined first winning criteria
for winning one of the virtual prizes in the first prize
combination; b) awarding the player one of the virtual prizes in
the first prize combination when the outcome of the main game
played in step a) matches the first winning criteria; c) repeating
steps a) and b) until the player has collected all of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination; and d) playing a bonus game
when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the
first prize combination.
2. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
in step d), the bonus game is associated with a predetermined
second prize combination that includes a set of bonus prizes, and
is further associated with a set of predefined second winning
criteria for winning one of the bonus prizes in the second prize
combination, the player being awarded one of the bonus prizes in
the second prize combination when the outcome of the bonus game
matches the second winning criteria.
3. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 2, wherein,
in step d), playing of the bonus game is continued as long as the
outcome of the bonus game matches the second winning criteria.
4. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 3, wherein,
in step a), the main game is a bingo game.
5. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 4, wherein
step a) includes: a1) generating a virtual bingo card with a
numerical bingo pattern; a2) generating an odds table that includes
fifteen rows of five number spaces, each of the rows of the odds
table being associated with a corresponding payout multiplier; a3)
randomly drawing a bingo number, filling in one of the number
spaces of the odds table with the drawn bingo number according to
drawing sequence of the bingo number, and marking the virtual bingo
card accordingly when the drawn bingo number is present in the
numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card; a4) repeating
sub-step a3) until a predefined winning bingo pattern is formed on
the marked virtual bingo card; and a5) determining a payout amount
based on a bet placed beforehand by the player and the payout
multiplier associated with one of the rows of the odds table
containing a latest one of the bingo numbers that was drawn in
sub-step a3) and that resulted in formation of the winning bingo
pattern on the virtual bingo card.
6. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the first winning criteria is one in which said one of the rows of
the odds table containing the latest one of the bingo numbers that
resulted in formation of the winning bingo pattern on the virtual
bingo card is located in a predefined winning area of the odds
table.
7. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said one of the virtual prizes awarded to the player in step b) is
chosen randomly from the first prize combination.
8. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 7, wherein
step a) further includes: a6) generating an animated object, the
virtual prizes in the first prize combination being ornaments to be
put on the animated object upon collection by the player.
9. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a
door frame having a pair of jambs is further generated in sub-step
a6), the animated object being disposed in the door frame between
the jambs, a number of prize windows being formed in the jambs.
10. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 9, wherein
step d) includes: d1) arranging the bonus prizes among the prize
windows; d2) enabling the animated object to select one of the
prize windows within a predetermined time period; d3) when the
prize window selected in step d2) is not empty, awarding the bonus
prize in the selected one of the prize windows to the player, and
subsequently emptying the selected one of the prize windows; and
d4) when the prize window selected in step d2) has been emptied,
terminating the bonus game.
11. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 10, wherein
sub-step d2) includes causing the animated object to point to
different ones of the prize windows within the predetermined time
period, the selected one of the prize windows being that pointed to
by the animated object at an instant the predetermined time period
expired.
12. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 11,
wherein, in sub-step d2), the animated object is a virtual dancer
that dances and that points to the different ones of the prize
windows using its hands.
13. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes
a user input unit, a display unit, and a game processor coupled to
the user input unit and the display unit, said computer program
product configuring said gaming apparatus for playing a progressive
game, and comprising: a computer readable storage medium
comprising: a first code that directs the game processor to allow
the player to play a main game, the main game being associated with
a predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of
virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of
predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination; a second code that directs
the game processor to award the player one of the virtual prizes in
the first prize combination when the outcome of the main game
matches the first winning criteria; a third code that directs the
game processor to repeat execution of said first and second codes
until the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the
first prize combination; and a fourth code that directs the game
processor to allow the player to play a bonus game when the player
has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize
combination.
14. The computer program product as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
the bonus game is associated with a predetermined second prize
combination that includes a set of bonus prizes, and is further
associated with a set of predefined second winning criteria for
winning one of the bonus prizes in the second prize combination;
said fourth code directing the game processor to award the player
one of the bonus prizes in the second prize combination when the
outcome of the bonus game matches the second winning criteria.
15. The computer program product as claimed in claim 14, wherein
said fourth code directs the game processor to allow the player to
continue playing the bonus game as long as the outcome of the bonus
game matches the second winning criteria.
16. The computer program product as claimed in claim 15, wherein
the main game is a bingo game.
17. The computer program product as claimed in claim 16, wherein
said first code includes: a first sub-code that directs the game
processor to enable the display unit to generate a virtual bingo
card with a numerical bingo pattern; a second sub-code that directs
the game processor to enable the display unit to generate an odds
table including fifteen rows of five number spaces, each of the
rows of the odds table being associated with a corresponding payout
multiplier; a third sub-code that directs the game processor to
randomly draw a bingo number, to enable the display unit to fill in
one of the number spaces of the odds table with the drawn bingo
number according to drawing sequence of the bingo number, and to
enable the display unit to mark the virtual bingo card accordingly
when the drawn bingo number is present in the numerical bingo
pattern of the virtual bingo card; a fourth sub-code that directs
the game processor to repeat execution of said third sub-code until
a predefined winning bingo pattern is formed on the marked virtual
bingo card; and a fifth sub-code that directs the game processor to
determine a payout amount based on a bet placed beforehand by the
player through the user input unit and the payout multiplier
associated with one of the rows of the odds table containing a
latest one of the bingo numbers that was drawn and that resulted in
formation of the winning bingo pattern on the virtual bingo
card.
18. The computer program product as claimed in claim 17, wherein
the first winning criteria is one in which said one of the rows of
the odds table containing the latest one of the bingo numbers that
resulted in formation of the winning bingo pattern on the virtual
bingo card is located in a predefined winning area of the odds
table.
19. The computer program product as claimed in claim 18, wherein
said second code directs the game processor to chose randomly said
one of the virtual prizes to be awarded to the player from the
first prize combination.
20. The computer program product as claimed in claim 19, wherein
said first code further includes: a sixth sub-code that directs the
game processor to enable the display unit to generate an animated
object, the virtual prizes in the first prize combination being
ornaments to be put on the animated object upon collection by the
player.
21. The computer program product as claimed in claim 20, wherein
said sixth sub-code further directs the game processor to enable
the display unit to generate a door frame having a pair of jambs,
the animated object being disposed in the door frame between the
jambs, a number of prize windows being formed in the jambs.
22. The computer program product as claimed in claim 21, wherein
said fourth code includes: a first secondary code that directs the
game processor to enable the display unit to arrange the bonus
prizes among the prize windows; a second secondary code that
directs the game processor to enable the display unit such that the
animated object is able to select one of the prize windows within a
predetermined time period; and a third secondary code that directs
the game processor to award the bonus prize in the selected one of
the prize windows to the player and to subsequently empty the
selected one of the prize windows when the selected one of the
prize windows is not empty, and to terminate the bonus game when
the selected one of the prize windows has been emptied.
23. The computer program product as claimed in claim 22, wherein
said secondary sub-code directs the game processor such that the
display unit causes the animated object to point to different ones
of the prize windows within the predetermined time period, the
selected one of the prize windows being that pointed to by the
animated object at an instant the predetermined time period
expired.
24. The computer program product as claimed in claim 23, wherein
the animated object generated by the display unit is a virtual
dancer that dances and that points to the different ones of the
prize windows using its hands.
25. A gaming apparatus comprising a user input unit, a display
unit, a game processor coupled to said user input unit and said
display unit, and a computer program product for configuring said
gaming apparatus to perform consecutive steps of a
computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game, said
computer-implemented method comprising: a) playing a main game, the
main game being associated with a predetermined first prize
combination that includes a set of virtual prizes, and being
further associated with a set of predefined first winning criteria
for winning one of the virtual prizes in the first prize
combination; b) awarding the player one of the virtual prizes in
the first prize combination when the outcome of the main game
played in step a) matches the first winning criteria; c) repeating
steps a) and b) until the player has collected all of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination; and d) playing a bonus game
when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the
first prize combination.
26. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein, in step
d), the bonus game is associated with a predetermined second prize
combination that includes a set of bonus prizes, and is further
associated with a set of predefined second winning criteria for
winning one of the bonus prizes in the second prize combination,
the player being awarded one of the bonus prizes in the second
prize combination when the outcome of the bonus game matches the
second winning criteria.
27. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein, in step
d), playing of the bonus game is continued as long as the outcome
of the bonus game matches the second winning criteria.
28. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein, in step
a), the main game is a bingo game.
29. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein step a)
includes: a1) generating a virtual bingo card with a numerical
bingo pattern; a2) generating an odds table that includes fifteen
rows of five number spaces, each of the rows of the odds table
being associated with a corresponding payout multiplier; a3)
randomly drawing a bingo number, filling in one of the number
spaces of the odds table with the drawn bingo number according to
drawing sequence of the bingo number, and marking the virtual bingo
card accordingly when the drawn bingo number is present in the
numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card; a4) repeating
sub-step a3) until a predefined winning bingo pattern is formed on
the marked virtual bingo card; and a5) determining a payout amount
based on a bet placed beforehand by the player and the payout
multiplier associated with one of the rows of the odds table
containing a latest one of the bingo numbers that was drawn in
sub-step a3) and that resulted in formation of the winning bingo
pattern on the virtual bingo card.
30. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first
winning criteria is one in which said one of the rows of the odds
table containing the latest one of the bingo numbers that resulted
in formation of the winning bingo pattern on the virtual bingo card
is located in a predefined winning area of the odds table.
31. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said one
of the virtual prizes awarded to the player in step b) is chosen
randomly from the first prize combination.
32. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein step a)
further includes: a6) generating an animated object, the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination being ornaments to be put on
the animated object upon collection by the player.
33. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein a door
frame having a pair of jambs is further generated in sub-step a6),
the animated object being disposed in the door frame between the
jambs, a number of prize windows being formed in the jambs.
34. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein step d)
includes: d1) arranging the bonus prizes among the prize windows;
d2) enabling the animated object to select one of the prize windows
within a predetermined time period; d3) when the prize window
selected in step d2) is not empty, awarding the bonus prize in the
selected one of the prize windows to the player, and subsequently
emptying the selected one of the prize windows; and d4) when the
prize window selected in step d2) has been emptied, terminating the
bonus game.
35. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein sub-step
d2) includes causing the animated object to point to different ones
of the prize windows within the predetermined time period, the
selected one of the prize windows being that pointed to by the
animated object at an instant the predetermined time period
expired.
36. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein, in
sub-step d2), the animated object is a virtual dancer that dances
and that points to the different ones of the prize windows using
its hands.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese application
no. 093122096, filed on Jul. 23, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a computer-implemented method and
gaming apparatus for playing a progressive game that includes main
and bonus games.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Computer-implemented methods and apparatus for playing bingo
are known in the art. FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical user interface
10 generated by a conventional gaming apparatus for playing bingo.
The interface 10 includes a virtual bingo card 11 and an odds table
12. The virtual bingo card 11 includes a numerical bingo pattern in
the form of a 5.times.5 numerical matrix, each element of which is
randomly selected by the gaming apparatus. The odds table 12
includes fifteen rows 121 of five number spaces. Each of the rows
121 of the odds table 12 is associated with a corresponding payout
multiplier, such as .times.20 (20 times payout), .times.10 (10
times payout), .times.5 (5 times payout), etc., that is marked at a
left end thereof. When playing the bingo game, a bingo number is
randomly drawn, one of the number spaces of the odds table 12 is
filled with the drawn bingo number according to the drawing
sequence of the bingo number, and the virtual bingo card 11 is
marked accordingly when the drawn bingo number is present in the
numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card 11. The above
procedure is repeated until a predefined winning bingo pattern,
such as a complete row of marked bingo numbers, is formed on the
virtual bingo card 11. The gaming apparatus then determines a
payout amount based on a bet placed beforehand by the player and
the payout multiplier associated with one of the rows 121 of the
odds table 12 containing a latest one of the bingo numbers that was
drawn and that resulted in the formation of the winning bingo
pattern on the virtual bingo card 11. In the example of FIG. 1, the
bet placed beforehand by the player is 5 points, the latest bingo
number that resulted in the formation of the winning bingo pattern
is "70" and is contained in the third row 121 of the odds table 12,
and the payout multiplier associated with the third row 121 of the
odds table 12 is .times.5. The payout amount is thus equal to
5.times.5 or 25 points.
[0006] The aforesaid gaming apparatus is disadvantageous in that it
is monotonous and lacks variety, and is unable to keep the interest
of a player who has been playing the bingo game for some time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a
progressive game so as to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the
prior art.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a computer-implemented method for playing a progressive
game, comprising:
[0009] a) playing a main game, the main game being associated with
a predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of
virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of
predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination;
[0010] b) awarding the player one of the virtual prizes in the
first prize combination when the outcome of the main game played in
step a) matches the first winning criteria;
[0011] c) repeating steps a) and b) until the player has collected
all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination; and
[0012] d) playing a bonus game when the player has collected all of
the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a computer program product for a gaming apparatus that
includes a user input unit, a display unit, and a game processor
coupled to the user input unit and the display unit. The computer
program product configures the gaming apparatus for playing a
progressive game, and comprises a computer readable storage medium
comprising:
[0014] a first code that directs the game processor to allow the
player to play a main game, the main game being associated with a
predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of
virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of
predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination;
[0015] a second code that directs the game processor to award the
player one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination
when the outcome of the main game matches the first winning
criteria;
[0016] a third code that directs the game processor to repeat
execution of the first and second codes until the player has
collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination;
and
[0017] a fourth code that directs the game processor to allow the
player to play a bonus game when the player has collected all of
the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.
[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gaming apparatus that comprises a user input
unit, a display unit, a game processor coupled to the user input
unit and the display unit, and a computer program product for
configuring the gaming apparatus to perform consecutive steps of a
computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game. The
computer-implemented method comprises:
[0019] a) playing a main game, the main game being associated with
a predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of
virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of
predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual
prizes in the first prize combination;
[0020] b) awarding the player one of the virtual prizes in the
first prize combination when the outcome of the main game played in
step a) matches the first winning criteria;
[0021] c) repeating steps a) and b) until the player has collected
all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination; and
[0022] d) playing a bonus game when the player has collected all of
the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] 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:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical user interface generated by a
conventional gaming apparatus for playing bingo;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of a
gaming apparatus according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the gaming apparatus of
the preferred embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flowchart to illustrate how a main game is
played in the preferred embodiment of a computer-implemented method
for playing a progressive game according to the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical user interface generated by
the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment when playing the
main game;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart to illustrate how a virtual prize is
awarded in the computer-implemented method of the preferred
embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a graphical user interface generated by
the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the
computer-implemented method when awarding the virtual prize;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a flowchart to illustrate how the progressive game
can be terminated upon awarding of a payout amount according to the
computer-implemented method of the preferred embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a graphical user interface generated by the gaming
apparatus of the preferred embodiment upon collection of a set of
the virtual prizes by the player;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a flowchart to illustrate how a bonus game is
played in the computer-implemented method of the preferred
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a graphical user interface generated by the
gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment while selecting a
bonus prize to be awarded to the player; and
[0035] FIG. 12 is a graphical user interface generated by the
gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment upon selection of the
bonus prize to be awarded.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a
gaming apparatus 2 according to the present invention is shown to
comprise a user input unit 21, a display unit 23, a game processor
22 coupled to the user input unit 21 and the display unit 23, and a
proprietary computer program product 20 that configures the gaming
apparatus 2 for playing a progressive game.
[0037] The user input unit 21 includes a BET key 24, a CHANGE key
25, a CONFIRM key 26 and a PAYOUT key 27.
[0038] The game processor 22 is the core of the gaming apparatus 2.
In this embodiment, the game processor 22 is disposed on a game
motherboard (circuit board). The computer program product 20
includes a computer readable storage medium (i.e., a memory unit)
that is also disposed on the game motherboard and that comprises
program codes for configuring the gaming apparatus for playing the
progressive game. When the gaming apparatus 2 is powered on, the
game processor 22 executes the program codes for performing the
following steps of the computer-implemented method for playing the
progressive game according to this invention:
[0039] Step a): Playing a main game
[0040] In this embodiment, the main game of the progressive game is
a bingo game. Referring to step 41 in FIG. 4 and to FIG. 5, the
game processor 22 enables the display unit 23 to generate a
graphical user interface 200. The graphical user interface 200
includes a virtual bingo card 28 and a door frame 40. The virtual
bingo card 28 includes a numerical bingo pattern in the form of a
5.times.5 numerical matrix, each element of which is randomly
selected by the gaming apparatus. The door frame 40 includes left
and right jambs 401, 402 and a strip decor 403 interconnecting top
ends of the jambs 401, 402. The left jamb 401 is formed with a pair
of prize windows 404, 405, whereas the right jamb 402 is formed
with a pair of prize windows 406, 407. The strip decor 403 is
formed with a bonus slot 408. Moreover, an animated object, which
is a virtual dancer 409 in this embodiment, is disposed in the door
frame 40 between the left and right jambs 401, 402.
[0041] The graphical user interface 200 further includes an odds
table 29. The odds table 29 includes fifteen rows of five number
spaces. Each of the rows of the odds table 29 is associated with a
corresponding payout multiplier that is marked at a left end
thereof. The payout multipliers decrease in a descending order of
the rows. The graphical user interface 200 further includes a
smaller virtual bingo card 30 having the same content as the
virtual bingo card 28, a remainder column 31 showing remaining
points of the player, a payout column 32 showing a payout amount to
be awarded to the player, and a bet column 33 showing a bet placed
by the player.
[0042] Next, referring to step 42 in FIG. 4, the player activates
the main game by dropping in coins, a game card (prepaid card) or
any other manner authorized by the gaming apparatus 2. Thereafter,
referring to step 43 in FIG. 4, the player places abet (such as 5
points) through the BET key 24, operates the CHANGE key 25 to
change the virtual bingo card 28, and operates the CONFIRM key 26
to select the desired virtual bingo card 28. Subsequently,
referring to step 44 in FIG. 4, a winning area of the odds table
29, such as the tenth row of the odds table 29, is defined with
reference to the bet placed by the player. Then, referring to step
45 in FIG. 4, a predefined winning bingo pattern, for instance, the
four corners of the numerical bingo pattern, is shown on each of
the virtual bingo cards 28, 30.
[0043] Subsequently, referring to step 46 in FIG. 4, the game
processor 22 of the gaming apparatus 2 randomly draws a bingo
number ranging from 1 to 75, fills in one of the number spaces of
the odds table 29 with the drawn bingo number according to the
drawing sequence of the bingo number, and marks the virtual bingo
card 28 accordingly when the drawn bingo number is present in the
numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card 28. At the same
time, referring to step 47 in FIG. 4, the game processor 22
constantly checks whether the predefined winning bingo pattern is
formed on the marked virtual bingo card 28. Step 46 is repeated
until the predefined winning bingo pattern is formed on the marked
virtual bingo card 28.
[0044] When the predefined winning bingo pattern is formed, the
player is required to operate the CONFIRM key 26 in step 48 in FIG.
4 to confirm the presence of the winning condition in accordance
with game rules established in certain places. If the player
presses the CONFIRM key 26 before a preset period (such as five
seconds) expires, the flow goes to FIG. 6. Otherwise, the flow goes
to FIG. 8.
[0045] In step 61 in FIG. 6, with reference to FIG. 7, three rows
of the numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card 28 are
replaced by a multi-liner pattern to indicate the outcome of the
main bingo game. Note, however, that the content of the smaller
virtual bingo card 30 remains unchanged.
[0046] The multi-liner pattern includes a plurality of distinct
images, such as a crown, a necklace, a bracelet, a belt, a
figurine, a specter, etc. In this instance, the game processor 22
selects the crown, the necklace, the bracelet and the belt to form
a set of virtual prizes of a first prize combination.
[0047] Step b): Awarding of a virtual prize
[0048] After step 61, the flow goes to step 62 in FIG. 6, where the
game processor 22 determines whether the row that contains the
winning bingo number is located in the predefined winning area of
the odds table 29. In the example of FIG. 7, since the winning
bingo number "14" is contained in the tenth row of the odds table
29, which is the predefined winning area, the game processor 22
deems the outcome of the main bingo game to match predefined first
winning criteria for winning one of the first virtual prizes in the
first prize combination.
[0049] When the main game outcome matches the first winning
criteria, the flow goes to step 63 in FIG. 6, where the game
processor 22 awards the player a randomly selected one of the
virtual prizes in the first prize combination. As shown in FIG. 9,
the awarded virtual prize is put on the virtual dancer 409. In the
preferred embodiment, because the player received a virtual prize,
the player is no longer awarded with a payout amount initially
acquired in the main bingo game. Then, referring to step 64 in FIG.
6, the game processor 22 determines whether the player has
collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.
In the affirmative, the flow proceeds to FIG. 10 for playing a
bonus game. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to FIG. 8.
[0050] In step 62, when the game processor 22 determines that the
main game outcome does not match the first winning criteria, the
flow goes to step 65 in FIG. 6, where the game processor 22
calculates a payout amount based on the bet placed beforehand by
the player and the payout multiplier associated with the row of the
odds table 29 that contained the winning bingo number. The flow
then proceeds to FIG. 8.
[0051] Referring to step 81 in FIG. 8, the player is prompted to
operate the CONFIRM key 26 so that the points in the payout column
32 are added to the points in the remainder column 31. Then,
referring to step 82 in FIG. 8, the player is further prompted
whether or not to terminate the progressive game. If it is desired
to terminate the progressive game, the points in the remainder
column 32 are printed out or stored in the game card of the player,
and the game is ended. In the negative, the flow goes back to FIG.
4.
[0052] Step c): Repeating Steps a) and b) until the Player has
Collected All of the Virtual Prizes in the First Prize
Combination
[0053] When the flow goes back to FIG. 4, a new bingo game session
begins. Thereafter, based on the outcome of the new bingo game, the
game processor 22 determines whether or not to award the player one
of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination in the manner
described hereinabove. Note that, since the virtual prize awarded
in step b) is randomly selected, it is possible that that the
player will be awarded with a virtual prize that he or she had
already collected. As a result, the player may have to play a large
number of bingo game sessions before he or she is able to collect
all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.
[0054] Step d): Playing a bonus game
[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, playing of the bonus game begins when
the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first
prize combination, i.e., when the virtual dancer 409 has put on all
of the virtual prizes (i.e., the crown, necklace, bracelet and
belt) in the first prize combination.
[0056] Referring to step 91 in FIG. 10, when the bonus game begins,
the bonus prizes included in a second prize combination are
arranged among the prizes windows 404, 405, 406, 407 of the jambs
401, 402. In this embodiment, the bonus prizes are predetermined
points, such as 20, 50, 5 and 100 points. Then, referring to step
92 in FIG. 10, the virtual dancer 409 begins to dance and, as shown
in FIG. 11, points to different ones of the prize windows 404, 405,
406, 407 using her hands within a predetermined time period, such
as five seconds. Subsequently, in step 93 in FIG. 10, it is
determined if the predetermined time period has expired. In the
affirmative, the flow goes to step 94 in FIG. 10, where the virtual
dancer 409 stops dancing, as best shown in FIG. 12. At this time, a
selected one of the prize windows 404, 405, 406, 407 is that
pointed to by the virtual dancer 409 at an instant the
predetermined time period expired. Thereafter, with reference to
step 95 in FIG. 10, the game processor 22 determines whether the
prize window selected by the virtual dancer 409 is not empty, which
is referred to herein as second winning criteria for winning one of
the bonus prizes in the second prize combination. If the selected
prize window is empty, the bonus game is terminated, and the flow
proceeds to FIG. 8. Otherwise, with reference to step 96 in FIG.
10, the points (in this instance, 20) contained in the selected
prize window (in the instance, the prize window 404) are awarded to
the player, the accumulated awarded bonus points are shown on the
bonus slot 408 and, as shown in FIG. 12, the selected prize window
404 is emptied. The flow then proceeds to step 97 in FIG. 10, where
the game processor 22 determines whether all of the prize windows
404, 405, 406, 407 had been emptied. In the affirmative, since all
of the bonus prizes in the second prize combination had been
awarded to the player, the bonus game is terminated, and the flow
proceeds to FIG. 8. Otherwise, the flow goes back to step 92 in
FIG. 10 so as to give the player a chance to win another one of the
bonus prizes.
[0057] Therefore, the first time the virtual dancer 409 selects one
of the prize windows 404, 405, 406, 407, the player is guaranteed
to win one of the bonus prizes. However, since the selected prize
window 404, 405, 406, 407 will be emptied subsequently, the
probability of winning another one of the bonus prizes will be
lowered accordingly.
[0058] 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.
* * * * *