U.S. patent application number 11/077066 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for video slot machine and slot machine gaming method therefor.
Invention is credited to Arden Yang.
Application Number | 20060111173 11/077066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35580421 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060111173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Arden |
May 25, 2006 |
Video slot machine and slot machine gaming method therefor
Abstract
A video slot machine includes a display unit having a screen, a
game-processing unit performing consecutive steps of a slot machine
gaming method, and an input unit allowing input by a player. The
slot machine gaming method includes: (a) displaying on the screen a
matrix of cells; (b) allowing a player to select a cell number and
to make a betting point decision; (c) performing cell selection
according to the cell number; (d) consecutively displaying indicia
in the cells, and maintaining display of the indicia last appearing
in the cells after a predetermined time; (e) determining if the
last-appearing indicia comply with winning criteria; and (f) if so,
awarding points to the player on the basis of the winning criteria
and the betting point decision.
Inventors: |
Yang; Arden; (Rosemead,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
35580421 |
Appl. No.: |
11/077066 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3286 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 22, 2004 |
TW |
093135841 |
Claims
1. A slot machine gaming method to be implemented using a video
slot machine having a screen, said slot machine gaming method
comprising: (a) displaying on the screen of the video slot machine
a video image including a matrix of cells of (m) columns and (n)
rows, where m>1 and n>1; (b) allowing a player to select a
cell number representing the number of the cells the player desires
to place a wager on, and allowing the player to make a betting
point decision representing the number of betting points the player
desires to wager on the cells to be selected; (c) performing
selection of the cells according to the cell number selected by the
player; (d) consecutively displaying in each of the cells a
plurality of indicia for a predetermined time interval, and
maintaining display of the indicia last appearing in the cells
after elapse of the predetermined time interval; (e) determining if
the indicia displayed in the selected cells at the end of the
predetermined time interval comply with predetermined winning
criteria; and (f) if it is determined that the indicia displayed in
the selected cells at the end of the predetermined time interval
comply with the predetermined winning criteria, awarding points to
the player on the basis of the predetermined winning criteria and
the betting points wagered on the selected cells.
2. The slot machine gaming method of claim 1, wherein, in step (c),
the cells are selected randomly from the matrix.
3. The slot machine gaming method of claim 1, wherein the screen of
the video slot machine is provided with touchscreen capabilities,
and in step (c), control is performed to allow the player to select
the cells from the matrix utilizing the touchscreen capabilities of
the screen.
4. The slot machine gaming method of claim 1, wherein the
predetermined winning criteria include the display of at least
three of the same indicium in the selected cells.
5. The slot machine gaming method of claim 1, wherein, in step (d),
each of the columns of the cells is displayed as a virtual reel, in
which the reel is displayed undergoing rotation such that the
indicia are displayed in a predetermined repeating pattern.
6. The slot machine gaming method of claim 1, wherein step (c)
further includes displaying the betting points in each of the
selected cells according to the betting point decision made by the
player.
7. A video slot machine, comprising: a display unit including a
screen; a game-processing unit connected to said display unit and
performing consecutive steps of a slot machine gaming method; and
an input unit connected to said game-processing unit and allowing
input by a player; said slot machine gaming method comprising: (a)
displaying on said screen of said display unit a video image
including a matrix of cells of (m) columns and (n) rows, where
m>1 and n>1; (b) allowing a player to select a cell number
representing the number of the cells the player desires to place a
wager on, and allowing the player to make a betting point decision
representing the number of betting points the player desires to
wager on the cells to be selected; (c) performing selection of the
cells according to the cell number selected by the player; (d)
consecutively displaying in each of the cells a plurality of
indicia for a predetermined time interval, and maintaining display
of the indicia last appearing in the cells after elapse of the
predetermined time interval; (e) determining if the indicia
displayed in the selected cells at the end of the predetermined
time interval comply with predetermined winning criteria; and (f)
if it is determined that the indicia displayed in the selected
cells at the end of the predetermined time interval comply with the
predetermined winning criteria, awarding points to the player on
the basis of the predetermined winning criteria and the betting
points wagered on the selected cells.
8. The video slot machine of claim 7, wherein, in step (c), the
cells are selected randomly from the matrix.
9. The video slot machine of claim 7, wherein said screen of said
display unit is provided with touchscreen capabilities, and, in
step (c), control is performed to allow the player to select the
cells from the matrix utilizing said touchscreen capabilities of
said screen.
10. The video slot machine of claim 7, wherein the predetermined
winning criteria include the display of at least three of the same
indicium in the selected cells.
11. The video slot machine of claim 7, wherein, in step (d), each
of the columns of the cells is displayed as a virtual reel, in
which the reel is displayed undergoing rotation such that the
indicia are displayed in a predetermined repeating pattern.
12. The video slot machine of claim 7, wherein step (c) further
includes displaying the betting points in each of the selected
cells according to the betting point decision made by the player.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application
No. 093135841, filed on Nov. 22, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a video slot machine and a
slot machine gaming method therefor. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a video slot machine and a slot machine gaming
method therefor, in which a video image of the video slot machine
displays apluralityof individual cells, andawagermaybe placed on as
many of the cells, and for as many betting points as desired by a
player.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] FIG. 1 shows an example of a video image appearing on a
screen of a conventional video slot machine. In this example, the
video image includes a matrix of cells consisting of three rows and
three columns of three cells each. Each cell may display a
plurality of indicia. Several pay lines 10-14 are drawn on a
transparent observation window (not shown) that covers the video
image. The pay lines 10-14 intersect adjacent triplets of the
cells.
[0006] When a player initiates the start of gaming, the columns of
the cells are displayed in a rotating reel operation, that is, as
if each of the columns is a reel undergoing rotation. Through such
a rotating reel goperation, each "reel" displays a random pattern
of the indicia that is repeated as the reel rotates. The rotating
reel operation continues for a predetermined time interval, which
may vary slightly for each of the columns of the cells, then
stops.
[0007] With the completion of the rotating reel operation, each of
the cells displays a single indicium. It is then determinedif the
indiciaof allthecellsof aneffective pay line form a winning
combination. For some conventional video slot machines, the pay
lines are automatically made effective with increases in the
betting amount, while other conventional video slot machines allow
the player to select the pay lines to be made effective.
[0008] As an example of the operation of the conventional video
slot machine, if, after the spinning of the reels, the cells
forming the uppermost row come to display "AAA" as shown in FIG. 1,
that is, "AAA" is displayed on the pay line 11, assuming that the
pay line 11 is effective, a number of game credits corresponding to
the bet made for the pay line 11 are granted to the player.
Typically, the game credits are displayed on a payout indicator of
the video slot machine. This process is repeated as many times as
desired by the player.
[0009] However, a drawback of the conventional video slot machine
is that players are allowed only very minimal control over how the
game proceeds. The initial betting amount is commonly the only
control players are granted. The fact that the pay lines 10-14 are
fixed in location further limits the amount of control players have
over the gaming experience.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a video slot machine that
introduces a novel way to play slots, and offers more betting
variety to players.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The object of this invention is to provide a video slot
machine and a slot machine gaming method therefor, in which a video
image of the video slot machine displays apluralityof individual
cells, andawagermaybeplaced on as many of the cells, and for as
many betting points as desired by a player.
[0012] According to this invention, a video slot machine comprises:
a display unit including a screen; a game-processing unit connected
to the display unit and performing consecutive steps of a slot
machine gaming method; and an input unit connected to the
game-processing unit for allowing input by a player.
[0013] The slot machine gaming method comprises: (a) displaying on
the screen of the display unit a video image including a matrix of
cells of (m) columns and (n) rows, where m>1 and n>1; (b)
allowing a player to select a cell number representing the number
of the cells the player desires to place a wager on, and allowing
the player to make a betting point decision representing the number
of betting points the player desires to wager on the cells to be
selected; (c) performing selection of the cells according to the
cell number selected by the player; (d) consecutively displaying in
each of the cells a plurality of indicia for a predetermined time
interval, and maintaining display of the indicia last appearing in
the cells after elapse of the predetermined time interval; (e)
determining if the indicia displayed in the selected cells at the
end of the predetermined time interval comply with predetermined
winning criteria; and (f) if it is determined that the indicia
displayed in the selected cells at the end of the predetermined
time interval comply with the predetermined winning criteria,
awarding points to the player on the basis of the predetermined
winning criteria and the betting points wagered on the selected
cells.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a video image appearing on a
screen of a conventional video slot machine, and pay lines drawn on
an observation window that covers the screen;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of a video slot
machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a video image appearing on a
screen of the video slot machine according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a slot machine gaming method
performed by the video slot machine according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating an
example of a video image following completion of a game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a video slot machine 2 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
game-processing unit 21, a display unit 22, and an input unit
23.
[0021] The game-processing unit 21 performs overall control of the
video slot machine 2. Prior to the start of gaming, the
game-processing unit 21 displays on a screen of the display unit 22
a video image that includes a matrix of cells 30 of (m) columns and
(n) rows, where m>1 and n>1. An example is shown in FIG. 3 of
a video image including a matrix of cells of 5 columns and 3 rows
(i.e., m=5 and n=3) to thereby result in a total of 15 of the cells
30. The game-processing unit 21 performs control so that, during
gaming, each cell 30 is able to display a plurality of
predetermined indicia one at a time, such as the letters "A-K."
Control may be performed so that each cell 30 displays the letters
"A-K" in a repeating pattern.
[0022] The input unit 23 is connected to the game-processing unit
21. The player performs input through the input unit 23 to select
betting conditions under which gaming is performed. The betting
conditions include a cell number representing the number of the
cells 30 the player desires to place a wager on, and a betting
point decision representing the number of betting points the player
desires to wager on the cells 30 that are selected.
[0023] In this embodiment, the game-processing unit 21 randomly
selects a number of the cells 30 based on the cell number decision
made by the player. Alternatively, the screen of the display unit
22 may be provided with touchscreen capabilities, in which case the
player may directly select the cells 30 from the matrix of the same
by contacting the area of the screen corresponding to the cells 30
the player desires to select.
[0024] A slot machine gaming method performed by the video slot
machine 2 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0025] In step 41, the game-processing unit 21 displays on the
screen of the display unit 22 a video image including a matrix of
cells of (m) columns and (n) rows, where m>1 and n>1.
[0026] Next, in step 42, the game-processing unit 21 performs
control to allow the player to select the cell number and to make
the betting point decision. As described above, the cell number
represents the number of the cells 30 the player desires to place a
wager on, and the betting point decision represents the number of
betting points the player desires towager on the cells 30 to be
selected. The cell number and betting point selections are made by
the player through the input unit 23.
[0027] Next, the game-processing unit 21, in step 43, randomly
selects a number of the cells 30 corresponding to the cell number
selection made by the player. Alternatively, if the screen of the
display unit 22 is provided with touchscreen capabilities as
described above, the player may directly select the cells 30 from
the matrix of the same by contacting the area of the screen
corresponding to the cell 30 the player desires to select.
[0028] In both instances of random selection and direct player
selection, the game-processing unit 21 preferably controls the
display unit 22 such that the selected cells 30 are indicated in
some manner to distinguish them from the remainder of the cells 30.
As shown in FIG. 3, the selectedcells 30maybedisplayed in a color
different from the other cells 30. Further, in step 43, the
game-processing unit 21 may also perform control such that a number
corresponding to the betting point decision made by the player is
displayed in each of the selected cells 30.
[0029] Subsequently, in step 44, the game-processing unit 21
performs control such that a plurality of indicia are consecutively
displayed in each of the cells 30, and such that display of the
indicia last appearing in the cells is maintained after elapse of a
predetermined time interval. As an example, the columns of the
cells 30 are displayed as if they are reels undergoing rotation, in
which each of the "reels" appears as if there is a random pattern
of the letters "A-K" printed thereon such that rotation of such
virtual reels results in the repeated display of the particular
patterns. This rotating reel operation is continued for the
predetermined time interval (e.g., 10 seconds), which may vary for
each of the reels, and is subsequently interrupted such that each
of the cells 30 displays one particular indicium.
[0030] Next, in step 45, the game-processing unit 21 determines if
the indicia displayed in the selected cells 30 at the end of the
predetermined time interval comply with predetermined winning
criteria. As an example, the game-processing unit 21 may determine
if three or more of the selected cells 30 display the same
indicium. In FIG. 5, an example is shown where, following step 44,
"B" is displayed in three of the selected cells 30, and "A" is
displayed in four of the selected cells 30. Therefore, there are
two instances of compliance with the winning criteria, while
display of the letters "C" and "D," which respectively appear only
two times and once, do not result in compliance with the winning
criteria.
[0031] Finally, in step 46, the game-processing unit 21 awards
points or game credits according to compliance with the winning
criteria, if any, of the selected cells 30, and on the basis of the
betting point decision made by the player in step 42. The points
are preferably displayed on a payout indicator (not shown) of the
display unit 22, thereby completing gaming. This process may be
repeated by the player as many times as desired.
[0032] In step 45, if there is no compliance with the winning
criteria, step 46 is skipped and gaming is directly ended.
[0033] In the video slot machine and slot machine gaming method of
the preferred embodiment described above, a completely novel
approach to the game of slots is employed such that players
utilizing the video slot machine are likely to enjoy the unique
experience. Moreover, since players are provided the option to
place a wager on as many of the cells 30 as desired (rather than
being limited to the pre-established paylines 10-14 of the
conventional slot machine as shown FIG. 1), as well as the option
to select the number of betting points for each game, players
seeking more control over their gaming experience may prefer to
play with the video slot machine of the present invention.
[0034] 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.
* * * * *