U.S. patent application number 11/490569 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for concurrent, combinational, interactive games played on electronic gaming devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Arrow International Inc.. Invention is credited to James A. Campo.
Application Number | 20060258435 11/490569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23349230 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060258435 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campo; James A. |
November 16, 2006 |
Concurrent, combinational, interactive games played on electronic
gaming devices
Abstract
A distributed gaming system includes a host device and at least
one peripheral device in communication with the host device. The
peripheral device executes at least two games simultaneously. The
outcome of at least one of the at least two games is dependent on
aspects of another of the at least two games. A method of
distributed gaming is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Campo; James A.; (Brunswick,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY, SHARPE, FAGAN, MINNICH & MCKEE, LLP
1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE, SEVENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
Arrow International Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23349230 |
Appl. No.: |
11/490569 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10326787 |
Dec 19, 2002 |
|
|
|
11490569 |
Jul 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
60344140 |
Dec 28, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3223 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/019 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A distributed gaming system comprising: a host device; a
plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the host
device, each peripheral device executing at least a bingo game
based on random bingo numbers received from the host device, and at
least some peripheral devices executing another game simultaneously
with the bingo game, the outcome of the other game also being
dependent upon the random bingo numbers received from the host
device, the host device dynamically determining aspects of the
other game prior to commencement of the bingo game based on a
number of players playing the other game.
2. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the other game is E-tabs.
3. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 2, wherein
the host device dynamically predetermines aspects of the E-tab game
including at least one pre-determined winning configuration to
produce at least one of a predetermined percentage of payouts and a
predetermined payout amount.
4. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 3, wherein
the E-tab game has one result if at least one of the pre-determined
winning configurations falls entirely within a bingo winning
configuration, and another, different, result if the pre-determined
winning configuration falls partially or entirely outside of the
bingo winning configuration.
5. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 2, wherein
the bingo game includes numbers that when selected, are daubed with
one of a palette of images, each daubing image having a like effect
on the bingo game.
6. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 5, wherein
the palette includes a square, a non-square rectangle, a diamond, a
triangle, and a circle.
7. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the other game is Blackjack.
8. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 7, wherein
at least one square on a bingo face is daubed with an icon
representative of a single card from a standard deck of 52 playing
cards.
9. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 8, wherein a
plurality of the icons are placed within a viewable area of the
device concurrently as bingo numbers are revealed.
10. The distributed gaming system as set forth in claim 8, wherein
the outcome of the Blackjack game is dependent on the position of
the icons within the viewable area.
11. A method of distributed gaming including: providing a host
device and a plurality of peripheral device devices; initiating a
combined game session with the host device, the session comprising
at least a bingo game and another game played simultaneously, the
other game having aspects dependent on the bingo game; receiving
game data from the host device with the peripheral devices, each
peripheral device having a human viewable display and at least one
user input device, aspects of the display being dynamically
configured by the host computer based on a number of players; and
displaying the bingo game and the other game concurrently on the
display.
12. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including:
receiving input from at least one of the peripheral devices; and
transmitting the received input to the host device, the input
influencing an outcome of the bingo game and the other game.
13. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including: using
indicator images that hold one meaning for the bingo game and
another meaning for the other game.
14. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the aspects of the
display that are dynamically configured by the host computer based
on the number of players limit at least one of a predetermined
percentage of payouts and a predetermined payout amount.
15. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least one
user input device includes at least one device selected from a
group consisting of a touch screen and a keypad.
16. A distributed gaming apparatus including: a host device; a
plurality of peripheral device devices; means for initiating a
combined game session with the host device, the session comprising
at least a bingo game and another game played simultaneously, the
other game having aspects dependent on the bingo game; means for
receiving game data from the host device with the peripheral
devices, each peripheral device having a human viewable display and
an input means, aspects of the display being dynamically configured
by the host computer based on a number of players; and means for
displaying the bingo game and the other game concurrently on the
display.
17. The distributed gaming apparatus as set forth in claim 16,
further including: means for receiving input from at least one of
the peripheral devices; and means for transmitting the received
input to the host device, the input influencing an outcome of the
bingo game and the other game.
18. The distributed gaming apparatus as set forth in claim 16,
further including: means for using indicator images that hold one
meaning for the bingo game and another meaning for the other
game.
19. The distributed gaming apparatus as set forth in claim 11,
wherein the aspects of the display that are dynamically configured
by the host computer based on the number of players limit at least
one of a predetermined percentage of payouts and a predetermined
payout amount.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of prior application Ser.
No. 10/326,787 filed Dec. 19, 2002, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/344,140 filed Dec. 28, 2001.
Application Ser. No. 10/326,787 filed Dec. 19, 2002 is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/344,140 filed Dec. 28, 2001 is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] With the advent of programmable electronic gaming devices,
many traditional games played with cards, play boards, and paper
have been converted for play on electronic gaming devices
incorporating a programmable computer and video display. Electronic
gaming devices are capable, as disclosed in Itkis U.S. Pat. No.
4,856,787, of multiple, independent games simultaneously executed
with their respective video images independently displayed on a
single video display. Electronic gaming devices can be computer
based devices dedicated solely to the purpose of game play or
standard computers that are used for a plurality of functions, one
of which is game play.
[0003] Because of the flexible nature of the video display,
multiple and independent colored images can be overlaid onto
virtual layers or viewing planes with various degrees of
transparency to create a compound image that appears to have depth.
Expanding further on that concept, video images contained within a
given game can be overlaid onto video images from a second
independent game that is being played concurrently. The resulting
compound video images would most likely be very difficult or not
practical for the player to view and also understand the play
action of two or more independent games with the first game's video
images mixed, misaligned, and partially or fully covered by video
images of a second game.
[0004] Multiple such devices have been networked together to allow
multiple users to participate in the same game. Each remote device
shows the user his or her status within the game, and possibly
other features such as the status of competitors. Such remote
devices have been attached to a host by a hard link, or by RF
communication means. As in the Itkis patent, multiple games can be
displayed on a single remote device so a user may concurrently
participate in multiple games. However, the games are independent
of one another, and the outcome of one does not affect the outcome
of another. Such networked systems are used in social environments
such as trivia in restaurants, charitable environments such as
bingo fund-raisers, and in competitive gambling such as in
casinos.
[0005] The present invention provides a new and improved method and
apparatus that overcomes the above referenced problems and
others.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
distributed gaming system is provided. At least one peripheral
device is in communication with a host device, the peripheral
device executing at least two games simultaneously. The outcome of
at least one of the at least two games is dependent upon aspects of
another of the at least two games.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of distributed gaming is provided. A host device and at
least one peripheral device are provided. A combined game session
is initiated with the host device, the session comprising at least
two games being played simultaneously. At least one of the games
has aspects that are dependent on at least another of the at least
two games. Data is received from the host device with the
peripheral device, the peripheral device having an input means and
a human readable display. The at least two games are displayed
concurrently on the screen.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
gaming system is provided. A computer has an output device and a
storage means. A first game is held in the storage means. A second
game is also held in the storage means. A random indicium generator
is in communication with the computer. A game grid displays both
first and second games on the output device, revising each time the
random indicium generator transmits another indicium to the
computer.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
interactive gaming system is provided. The system includes a stand
alone or network dependent gaming device. A display area in
communication with the electronic gaming device displays first and
second image elements concurrently, the first image element
relating to a first game, and the second image element relating to
a second game. The second image element is overlaid on the first
image element, combining to find a meaningful composite image. The
second game has unique rules of game play that are different from
those of the first game. The two games have common random factors.
The two games are played concurrently.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may take form in various components and
arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements
of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating
preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a Bingo face having a "T"
winning pattern, in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustration of preferred dauber shapes for
representing an E-Tabs portion of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts the Bingo face after several Bingo numbers
have been called, the numbers appearing on the face being daubed
with one of the shapes of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 also depicts a winning
E-Tab game in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts the Bingo game of FIG. 3 that has progressed
to include a Bingo win as well as the E-Tab win;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an interactive Black Jack/Bingo
embodiment depicting a game where the player's entire Black Jack
hand appears within the Bingo win pattern;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the Black Jack/Bingo game where
the player's hand includes a card removed from the Bingo win
pattern.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a host system connected to a
plurality of peripheral systems.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a wireless connection between a
host transceiver and a peripheral device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, at least two games are
logically programmed to be interactive with each other in play,
while leaving the fundamental concept of each game intact. The
content of the compound video images contained within the
interactive game is simple to understand and has meaning to the
play of both games, offering a plurality of new, interactive games
that otherwise could not exist in the realm of fixed, pre-printed
paper.
[0020] Typical games that can be made interactive are Bingo, card
games such as Poker or Black Jack, electronic Pull Tabs (E-Tabs),
and many others. Two specific examples of interdependent
interactive games will be discussed to illustrate fundamental
principles involved. The first example is an interactive game of
Bingo and E-Tabs and the second example is an interactive game of
Bingo and Black Jack. The first example does not require player
input during the interactive game to bring either game to a
conclusion and the payouts are generally pre-determined for use in
charitable gaming. The second example illustrates the action of an
interactive game in which dynamic player input may alter the
outcome of an interactive game, and the payouts are more random in
nature for use in a casino environment. It is to be understood that
many new interactive game combinations are possible and the present
invention should not be limited to any one of such
combinations.
[0021] Bingo electronic gaming devices normally display the image
of one or more Bingo faces on a video display. Typically, a video
Bingo face image is a 5.times.5 square matrix containing 24 unique
numbers, pre-selected, from a set of numbers ranging from 1 to 75
and also contains a FREE or wild number space in the center of the
matrix to complete the set of 25 possible squares. As the game
progresses, periodically a new random number is selected from a set
of numbers ranging from 1 to 75 by a random number generator or by
a mechanical means of selecting a random, plastic numbered ball
such as an air driven ball scrambler commonly found in Bingo
equipment and lottery systems. The randomly selected number, if
appearing on a displayed Bingo face image, is then marked or daubed
on the Bingo face image to differentiate it from other, non
selected numbers displayed on the Bingo face. The marking means can
be of many varieties such as changing the displayed number to a
different color, placing a different color behind the displayed
number in the square containing the number, or overlaying an icon
image on the displayed number to mention just a few of possible
indicium to electronically daub the number. Some electronic gaming
devices currently in the marketplace offer a palette of e-daubing
images that are of different colors and shapes for the player to
select and use for playing the Bingo game.
[0022] Paper Pull Tabs are an instant win/lose type of game.
Generally, a given Pull Tab contains three or more imprinted images
arranged in a straight line. Those images are selected from a
palette of images and adjacently printed on the card and then
covered such that they are not visible to the player when the card
is purchased. The selection of the images prior to printing is done
in a manner such that the total number of wining cards from a group
of printed cards is pre-determined. A winning card is defined by
the relative positions of the images to one another and the
similarities of the printed images. Generally, three identical
images in a row would yield the highest payout amount and three
un-like images in a row results in no pay out for the card. In
between those extremes, graduated payouts can be awarded based on
the similarity of the images and their relative positions to one
another. An E-Tab game is essentially an electronic video
representation of the paper game, in that the player cannot see the
associative video images prior to purchase of the E-Tab.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, a game grid, and more
specifically, a Bingo face 10 that is in play in a preferred
embodiment is illustrated. A winning pattern 12 of "T" shape shown
by the shaded area has been defined to win a Bingo game prize of
$100. It is to be understood that the Bingo prize may be more or
less, as decided by a proprietor of the Bingo facility. The shading
is optionally displayed or not displayed by the player during game
play to change the difficulty factor of the game. Prior to the
start of the Bingo game, the player has the option of purchasing an
E-Tab to be played interactively with the Bingo game, creating a
new interactive game experience. From a large palette of e-dauber
images, the player or computer can select the images that would be
in play during the interactive game. Normally for a Bingo game,
only one image would be selected. However, the E-Tab game requires
multiple images to be selected. In a preferred embodiment, five
e-daubing base images, a circle 14, square 16, rectangle 18,
diamond 20, and triangle 22 are selected as shown in FIG. 2. The
E-Tab winners of the preferred embodiment are defined as follows:
Three adjacent circles 14 in a row on the winning Bingo pattern is
awarded $100, and three adjacent circles 14 anywhere on the face is
awarded $25, and two adjacent diamonds 20 anywhere on the face is
awarded $5. It is to be understood that as with the Bingo awards,
the E-Tab awards may vary at the discretion of the house
proprietor.
[0024] Presently, the interactive game has been defined as
incorporating a dauber image 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 that is dynamicall
active during game play and shared by both concurrent games, yet
has different meaning to each game. The award amount outcome of the
E-Tab game is dependent on the defined E-Tab winning images falling
within the winning Bingo pattern 12, and also defined as
independent of the Bingo game winning pattern 12. Many additional
variations of interactive game definitions are possible.
[0025] In an example for purposes of illustrating a preferred
embodiment, the game starts with the selection of a random Bingo
number or other indicium by a random indicium generator. Each
individual participating in the game has a gaming computer with a
screen or other output device and a storage means. The selected
number is daubed with what appears to the player as a randomly
selected image from the five base images shown in FIG. 2. In
reality, the daubing images or other indicia need not be selected
on a purely random basis because winning combinations and the
resultant payouts would be unknown to game operations, which is of
concern in the charitable gaming industry. The Bingo numbers,
however, are necessarily generated randomly.
[0026] The Bingo winning "T" pattern 12 of the present example
requires that in addition to the FREE space, at least eight random
numbers be called to win. With reference to FIG. 3, a Bingo card
face 10 is illustrated, particularly as it looks after the numbers
4, 5, 24, 67, 34, 11, 47, 75, 9, 26, 7, 55, 40, 72, and 43 were
called. Note that all random numbers called do not appear on the
illustrated face 10 and that a Bingo win has not occurred on this
face 10, but an E-Tab win pattern 28 of three adjacent circles 14
in a row within the Bingo win pattern 12 has occurred. It is to be
noted that completion of the second game of the interactive game
can be achieved independently of the completion of the first game.
Other sequences of game completions can be achieved by a
combination of program logic and natures of the two interactive
games. The Bingo game continues with additional numbers or other
indicia being called or generated and FIG. 4 illustrates Bingo game
completion with all elements of the "T" winning pattern 12 being
daubed or otherwise marked on the output device. The player of this
face 10 is awarded the Bingo game payout of $100 and the maximum
payout of $100 for the winning E-Tab because it was interactively
imaged on the winning Bingo pattern 12.
[0027] To accomplish pre-determined payouts, as in a charitable
gambling establishment, the Bingo faces in play during a game are
pre-selected by the use of defining serial numbers and permutations
within a set of Bingo faces such that, typically, only a single
person will have a winning card for a given game. Likewise for
E-Tabs, the frequency of winning combinations and the payout
amounts for each combination are pre-determined within a set of
E-Tabs. The percentage of payouts, the payout amount, and the
winning image combinations for the E-Tabs can be dynamically
determined based on the total number of E-Tabs purchased by all
players and then stored in a database. When the player purchases
Bingo faces and E-Tabs, the pre-determined faces and E-Tab
combinations are selected from their respective databases and
loaded into the particular peripheral gaming device, via any
conventional means of wired, networked wired or wireless
connectivity. In a preferred embodiment, the winning distribution
function is generated prior to the start of any gaming session for
stand alone gaming devices, and is generated in real time just
before the start of a given game for networked gaming devices.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the number of E-Tabs purchased
does not exceed the number of Bingo faces purchased for any given
game. In an embodiment where multiple sets of e-daub images are
available, a player or the computer selects an e-daub image from a
palette of images, the program simply substitutes each of the
pre-defined E-Tab images with one of the new images, leaving the
probability of winning unchanged. The program alerts the player
what images are related to what payout combination prior to the
start of the game. In effect, each E-Tab game is customized and has
variety to maintain player's interest levels. For gaming regulatory
security, a printout or record of the E-Tab database can be
provided and archived to verify the odds and payouts used for the
game and a printout or record of which E-Tabs from the database
went into each player's unit can also be provided. In addition, the
computer can sort and display for the player the Bingo faces with
the highest probability of winning the Bingo game, or the E-Tab
game, or display the best of both games. Optionally, the player is
enabled to select how the faces are sorted and displayed. The
preferred embodiment of the Bingo and E-tabs interactive game
includes two games, each having its own unique rules and win
conditions, but both sharing common random factors.
[0029] In Black Jack, one or more standard card decks each
containing 52 cards is used. The purpose of the game is to
accumulate cards whose sum is equal to or less than 21. Each card
has a numeric value associated with it to allow a numerical total
to be generated. The player places a bet on the outcome of the
game. The dealer deals a single card face down to the player and a
single card face down for the dealer. The dealer then deals a card
face up to the player and a card face up to the dealer. The player
can then indicate if he would like another face up card "hit" from
the dealer or "stay" with the current cards dealt. The dealer then
makes the same decision concerning hit/stay for his hand. The
dealer typically must hit if the total is less than 16. When no
more hits are requested, all cards are turned face up and the sum
of the player's cards are compared to the sum of the dealer's cards
to determine a win, lose, or draw outcome of the game.
[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an illustrative example of an interactive
Bingo and Black Jack game. In this embodiment, like components are
identified by like numerals with a primed suffix (') and new
components are identified by new numerals. A Bingo winning "T"
pattern 12' is identical to the previously discussed Interactive
Bingo and E-Tabs game. A touch screen is used on the gaming device
display. It is to be noted that in lieu of the touch screen, a
keypad or other input means can be used with no detriment to game
play. For this particular example of the interactive game, two or
more decks of cards will be used.
[0031] This embodiment has a game grid 50 including a Bingo face
10' and a predetermined palette of fifty-two daubing images 30
functionally the same as that found in a deck of cards, a face down
image 32, and an image unrelated to the Black Jack game play, such
as a square 34. First, the player selects one Bingo face 10' from
the many Bingo faces that are in play. In this embodiment of the
game, only that face will be used to interactively play Black Jack.
The game is started by the computer placing a face down image 32 in
the FREE space, which represents a face down card dealt to the
player, and, within an extended area 36 of the game grid 50, a
second face down image 32 is placed representing the face down card
dealt to the dealer. The computer also selects a random card image
from the multi-deck for each of the face down cards 32, but does
not display either card. At any time during the game play, the
player can touch the FREE space to reveal his face down card
causing the computer to substitute the actual card image for the
face down card image within the FREE space. The FREE space is
thereafter inactive to player input. When a random number is called
during the Bingo game, a random card image 30 is selected from the
remaining cards within the multi-deck to daub the number. If the
number does not appear on the Bingo face, the card image is placed
within an extended area 38 of the game grid 50 designated for the
player. The very next random number that is called will result in
the random selection of a card image 30 from the deck and
displaying of that image next to the dealer face down image 32.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a Bingo face 10' in which two face down
cards 32 were dealt, and the player has activated the FREE space
button revealing his card. The first random Bingo number called was
47 and it was daubed with an ace of spades for the player's hand.
The second number called was 71 resulting in 71 being daubed with a
square 34 and the eight of clubs was placed in the dealer area. The
player chooses to hit or stay. In the case of FIG. 5, the player
stays with 21. At that point, the dealer can hit or stay until the
rule set is satisfied, that is, the dealer hits until it is over
16, and then the face down card 32 for the dealer is revealed to
display the outcome of the game. If the dealer has lost, the player
has a two card Black Jack win and would receive additional awards
above the normal Black Jack payout since the two cards are located
within the Bingo win pattern. If the player then proceeds to win
the Bingo game, the awarded jackpot would escalate further because
of the combinational wins.
[0033] Note that FIG. 5 also illustrates the player's name 40, in
this case, Monica. The player's name is displayed if player
tracking information is downloaded into the electronic gaming
device. If the player wishes to hit, he would activate a "hit"
button 42 on the touch screen. If the player wishes to stay, he
activates the "stay" button 44. If a hit is selected, the card
selection from the deck repeats itself as described above. The
computer also determines to hit or stay the dealer's hand based on
the given rule set. The computer finishes the dealer's hand and
reveals the dealer's face down card and the win, lose, draw outcome
of the game is determined by the given rule set. The "Monica" 40
and "Dealer" 46 displays can be alternately blinked or colored by
the computer to clearly illustrate which person is the active
player at any given moment.
[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a game that has progressed further than
the game shown in FIG. 5. Two face down cards 22 are dealt and the
player activates the FREE space, revealing the five of hearts. The
first player number called, 75, is daubed with the four of spades.
The first dealer number, 10, does not appear on the face and the
two of diamonds is displayed in the dealer area. The player with a
total of 9, hits. The second player number, 49, does not appear on
the face so the jack of hearts is displayed in the player area 38.
Assuming the dealer hits, the second dealer number, 24, is daubed
with a square and the seven of spades is displayed in the dealer
area 36. The player with a total of 19, stays. Assuming the dealer
stays, the dealer face down card 32 is revealed to display the
outcome of the game. In this instance, if the player wins, the
player is awarded the standard Black Jack payout since the player's
cards are not all within the Bingo win pattern 12'.
[0035] In an instance in which the Bingo game is completed prior to
the completion of the Black Jack game, the computer has knowledge
of this event, alerts the player, and continues play of the Black
Jack game at a much faster pace since there is no wait time
associated with the delay between Bingo number calls. This game
example illustrates an interactive game with player input and the
possibility of the first game being completed first, at the same
time, or after the completion of the second game. In addition, the
outcome (payout) of the Black Jack game is dependent on the Bingo
game.
[0036] In an alternate embodiment a Bingo game and a card game
similar to Black Jack are played. In this game, Bingo numbers
(1-75) are each assigned a card value. The numbers 1-52 correspond
to one full deck of cards. The additional numbers (53-75) are cards
from a second deck chosen in such a way that the odds of a player
winning are not altered. When a bingo number is called, every
player playing the card game in addition to the Bingo game receives
the same card, namely, the one that corresponds to the called
number. The card corresponding to the FREE space on the Bingo face
is dealt randomly so the results of a card game are not uniform for
every person playing.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment, with reference to FIG. 7, a
host device 100 controls the interactive game experience. The host
100 is in communication with multiple peripheral devices 102 that
receive game information from the host 100, such as the last
generated bingo number, or which E-tab dauber to use, etc. via an
information pathway 104. The pathway 104 can be an array of hard
wire connections as shown in FIG. 7, an RF communication means as
shown in FIG. 8, or other known communication means. Each player of
the interactive game controls one of the peripheral devices 102.
Each peripheral device includes a display 106 that displays to the
player their status in the game, available input options, and the
like. Each peripheral device also includes input means such as a
keypad 108 or touch screen that the user can use to send
information back to the host. Such information may include, but is
not limited to, requests to join a game, announcements of leaving a
game, answers to host queries, and the like.
[0038] In another preferred embodiment, an RF system is
illustrated. In this embodiment, like components are identified by
like numerals with a primed suffix (') and new components are
identified by new numerals. In a wireless embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 8, a hard wire 104' from a host 100' is connected to a
plurality of transceivers 120 that communicate information to and
from the host 100'. The transceivers 120 are in wireless
communication with the peripheral devices, such as portable hand
held devices 122. The hand held device 122 includes a display 124
and an input means 126. Each peripheral device includes a
peripheral transceiver 128 that communicates information to and
from the peripheral device 122. Naturally, a wireless embodiment is
more versatile than the desktop devices illustrated in FIG. 7, as a
player can take his or her peripheral device 122 from place to
place within its range, and still play the interactive games.
[0039] In an alternate embodiment, the interactive gaming device is
not in communication with a gaming network. A stand-alone computer
includes a display and a storage means. A random indicium generator
generates random indicia that pertain to first and second games.
The games are displayed concurrently, and meaningfully to the
player on a game grid.
[0040] The two interactive game examples that have been described
above, clearly illustrate the feasibility, diversity, and
excitement of such interactive games that have unique rules of play
from each other and common random factors between each other, and
that a plethora of interactive games and variations of those games
can be generated.
[0041] It is further contemplated that a trivia side game could
also be played on the peripheral device. In such a game, the host
device would send questions to the peripheral devices. The game
players would supply answers by using the keyboards on their
peripheral devices. The trivia questions may be divided by
category, and each category associated with a bingo column, for
instance. A question from one category might be asked every time a
"B" number is called. Another category of questions would be asked
every time an "I" number is called, and so on. At the end of the
evening of play, the hall operator could give an award to the
player who supplied the most correct answers to the trivia game, to
the player with the most correct answers in a single category, and
so forth.
[0042] As detailed above, this invention pertains to interactive
games played on an electronic gaming device, the device being stand
alone or networked, that uses a first displayed image element
relating to the first game and then as a result of game execution,
uses a second image element overlaid on the first image element to
change its optical appearance to a meaningful composite image that
is easily interpreted and is associative and deterministic with the
play of the first game. The second image element is also
associative and deterministic with the play of a second, concurrent
game. The second game is different in nature from the first game.
The interactive game is comprised of the first and second
games.
[0043] The invention has been described with reference to several
preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to
others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed
description. It is intended that the invention be construed as
including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *