U.S. patent application number 10/583210 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for gaming machine with extended payline and n-sided element.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONAMI AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.. Invention is credited to Gerard Crosby, Jason Quayle, Toshiaki Shimizu, Osamu Yoshimi.
Application Number | 20080045300 10/583210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34701658 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080045300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quayle; Jason ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Gaming Machine with Extended Payline and N-Sided Element
Abstract
A gaming machine for the playing of a game of chance wherein an
outcome of said game of chance is determined by a predefined one of
a plurality of payline patterns of indicia displayed on a display
means by a game control module; said payline patterns formed of a
selection of elements of a matrix of columns and rows and wherein
the number of said elements forming any one payline pattern is
greater than the number of columns of said matrix.
Inventors: |
Quayle; Jason; (Pagewood,
AU) ; Crosby; Gerard; (Botany, AU) ; Shimizu;
Toshiaki; (Botany, AU) ; Yoshimi; Osamu;
(Botany, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
KONAMI AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
BOTANY
AU
|
Family ID: |
34701658 |
Appl. No.: |
10/583210 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU04/01767 |
371 Date: |
March 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/18 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2003 |
AU |
2003907048 |
Feb 23, 2004 |
AU |
2004900881 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine for the playing of a game of chance wherein an
outcome of said game of chance is determined by a predefined one of
a plurality of payline patterns of indicia displayed on a display
means by a game control module; said payline patterns formed of a
selection of elements of a matrix of columns and rows and wherein
the number of said elements forming any one payline pattern is
greater than the number of columns of said matrix; adjacent
elements of said matrix staggered in a horizontal direction, and
wherein each element of said adjacent elements is bounded by six
sides.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said columns of said
matrix are in the form of simulated reels divided peripherally into
a plurality of elements; each said element displaying an
indicia.
3. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said rows of said matrix
are comprised of a number of displayed aligned elements of each of
said reels.
4. The gaming machine of claim 3 wherein the number of said reels
is five and the number of said rows is three.
5. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said simulated reels are
caused to display a spinning motion during a game; said reels
coming to rest in a randomly selected position under control of
said game control module so as to display three elements of each
reel.
6. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the number of said
elements defining said predefined one of a plurality of payline
patterns is one greater than said number of columns.
7. The gaming machine of claim 6 wherein the number of said
elements defining said predefined one of said plurality of payline
patterns lies in the range of one greater than said number of
columns and the total of said elements in said matrix.
8. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said plurality of payline
patterns is indicated to a player of said gaming machine by
representations of said payline patterns on a front panel of said
gaming machine.
9. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said game control module
randomly selects a payline pattern from said plurality of payline
patterns for each game played on said gaming machine.
10. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said game control module
randomly selects a payline pattern from said plurality of payline
patterns; said payline pattern maintained as a winning pattern
until matched by a game played on said gaming machine.
11. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said selected payline
pattern is indicated to a player of said game when said reels have
come to rest by highlighting said elements corresponding to said
selected payline pattern.
12. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said selected payline
pattern is indicated to a player of said game when said reels have
come to rest by a projected outline of said elements corresponding
to said selected payline pattern.
13. The gaming machine of claim 12 wherein said projected outline
is displayed on said display while said reels are spinning.
14. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein a player of a game may
pre-select a payline pattern and wherein, if said payline pattern
matches a pattern of indicia of said reels when come to rest, said
player is awarded a prize.
15. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline
pattern of elements is arranged so that in one column and one
column only, at least two elements of said selected payline pattern
have a common edge.
16. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline
pattern of elements is arranged so that in one row and one row
only, at least two elements of said selected payline pattern have a
common edge.
17. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline
pattern of elements is arranged so that none of said elements have
a common edge.
18. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline
pattern of elements is arranged so that all of said elements have
at least one edge common with another one of said elements.
19. A gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein said gaming
machine is provided in addition to said display means with a
secondary display means; said secondary display means adapted to
the playing of a bonus game.
20. The gaming machine of claim 19 wherein at least one bonus game
is conferred on a player of said gaming machine in the event of a
winning outcome display of a main game on said display means.
21. (canceled)
22. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein adjacent elements in a
column adjacent a first column are staggered in a vertical
direction.
23. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said elements are aligned
vertically in columns in said matrix.
24. (canceled)
25. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein each said element
includes a symbol located within its border.
26. The gaming machine of claim 21 wherein selected sides of
adjacent elements are maintained in a parallel, spaced apart
relationship.
27. A gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein said gaming
machine is one of a plurality of linked gaming machines
interactively linked to a jackpot system.
28. A plurality of linked gaming machines, each machine of the type
claimed in claim 1 and wherein a jackpot prize is awarded by said
jackpot system when play of a game on one of said gaming machines
results in a pattern of indicia matching a pre-selected payline
pattern.
29-43. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines and, more
particularly to a game played on gaming machines having at least
one electronic display in the form of a matrix simulating a
plurality of spinning reels. In particular forms the matrix
includes N-sided elements where N is an integer other than 4.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Gaming or poker machines have become a major source of
amusement and diversion in such places as clubs, hotels and casinos
in many parts of the world.
[0003] Traditionally such machines were mechanical devices where a
number of reels marked with a plurality of numbers or symbols could
be made to spin randomly by the application of some mechanical
input. If the subsequent patterns of numbers or symbols displayed
on the reels, when these returned to a rest state, corresponded to
predetermined patterns, the machine would provide a prize or
payout. Generally such gaming machines have come to be regulated by
government authorities as to their number and in the manner in
which the machines must return a percentage of the monetary
turnover to the players.
[0004] The introduction of electronics, computers and electronic
graphical displays, has allowed a continual increase in the
complexity and variations of gaming machines and games while
maintaining the basic concept of the traditional machine.
[0005] Machines and games that offer novel and stimulating
variations on the basic game theme and environment are eagerly
sought by the gaming industry and there is consequently intense
competition between machine manufacturers to innovate.
[0006] Nevertheless the repetitive playing of even modern gaming
machines can lead to boredom of the players with a consequent
under-utilization of machines and increase in player
dissatisfaction.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to offer a
variation which may ameliorate the above disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine for the playing of a game of chance
wherein an outcome of said game of chance is determined by a
predefined one of a plurality of payline patterns of indicia
displayed on a display means by a game control module; said payline
patterns formed of a selection of elements of a matrix of columns
and rows and wherein the number of said elements forming any one
payline pattern is greater than the number of columns of said
matrix.
[0009] Preferably said columns of said matrix are in the form of
simulated reels divided peripherally into a plurality of elements;
each said element displaying an indicia.
[0010] Preferably said rows of said matrix are comprised of a
number of displayed aligned elements of each of said reels.
[0011] Preferably the number of said reels is five and the number
of said rows is three.
[0012] Preferably said simulated reels are caused to display a
spinning motion during a game; said reels coming to rest in a
randomly selected position under control of said game control
module so as to display three elements of each reel.
[0013] Preferably the number of said elements defining said
predefined one of a plurality of payline patterns is one greater
than said number of columns.
[0014] Preferably the number of said elements defining said
predefined one of said plurality of payline patterns lies in the
range of one greater than said number of columns and the total of
said elements in said matrix.
[0015] Preferably said plurality of payline patterns is indicated
to a player of said gaming machine by representations of said
payline patterns on a front panel of said gaming machine.
[0016] Preferably said game control module randomly selects a
payline pattern from said plurality of payline patterns for each
game played on said gaming machine.
[0017] Preferably said game control module randomly selects a
payline pattern from said plurality of payline patterns; said
payline pattern maintained as a winning pattern until matched by a
game played on said gaming machine.
[0018] Preferably said selected payline pattern is indicated to a
player of said game when said reels have come to rest by
highlighting said elements corresponding to said selected payline
pattern.
[0019] Preferably said selected payline pattern is indicated to a
player of said game when said reels have come to rest by a
projected outline of said elements corresponding to said selected
payline pattern.
[0020] Preferably said projected outline is displayed on said
display while said reels are spinning.
[0021] Preferably a player of a game may pre-select a payline
pattern and wherein, if said payline pattern matches a pattern of
indicia of said reels when come to rest, said player is awarded a
prize.
[0022] Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is
arranged so that in one column and one column only, at least two
elements of said selected payline pattern have a common edge.
[0023] Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is
arranged so that in one row and one row only, at least two elements
of said selected payline pattern have a common edge.
[0024] Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is
arranged so that none of said elements have a common edge.
[0025] Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is
arranged so that all of said elements have at least one edge common
with another one of said elements.
[0026] Preferably said gaming machine is provided in addition to
said display means with a secondary display means; said secondary
display means adapted to the playing of a bonus game.
[0027] Preferably at least one bonus game is conferred on a player
of said gaming machine in the event of a winning outcome display of
a main game on said display means.
[0028] Preferably said gaming machine is one of a plurality of
linked gaming machines interactively linked to a jackpot
system.
[0029] Preferably a jackpot prize is awarded by said jackpot system
when play of a game on one of said gaming machines results in a
pattern of indicia matching a pre-selected payline pattern.
[0030] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there
is provided a method for the awarding of a prize to a player of a
gaming machine provided with a display of indicia-bearing reels;
said method including the steps of: [0031] (a) selecting at random
one of a plurality of predefined payline patterns, [0032] (b)
spinning said reels and causing said reels to stop so as to display
a matrix of elements, [0033] (c) comparing said display of a matrix
of elements with selected random one of said predefined is payline
patterns, [0034] (d) awarding a prize according if selected random
one of said predefined payline patterns corresponds to an at-rest
disposition of said indicia-bearing reels.
[0035] Preferably said predefined payline pattern comprises a
number of selected locations and indicia at least one greater than
the number of said reels.
[0036] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there
is provided a method of awarding a jackpot prize to the player of a
reel-based gaming machine and wherein said gaming machine is one of
a linked plurality of gaming machines; said method including the
steps of: [0037] (a) a game controller of each said gaming machine
selecting at random one of a plurality of predefined payline
patterns, [0038] (b) spinning said reels of each said gaming
machine and causing said reels to stop so as to display a matrix of
elements, [0039] (c) comparing said display of a matrix of elements
of each of said gaming machines with selected random one of said
predefined payline patterns, [0040] (d) awarding said jackpot prize
if selected random one of said predefined payline patterns
corresponds to an at-rest disposition of said indicia-bearing reels
of one of said gaming machines.
[0041] Preferably said jackpot prize increases incrementally
according to monitored volume of play on said linked plurality of
said gaming machines.
[0042] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there
is provided a gaming machine and method of playing a gaming machine
as substantially herein described and with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0043] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine and display
arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0045] FIGS. 2 to 16 are diagrammatic representations of patterns
of paylines according to preferred embodiments.
[0046] FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrammatic representations of means of
indicating a particular payline pattern.
[0047] FIG. 19 is a front view of a gaming machine provided with a
main display and a secondary display unit.
[0048] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a plurality of gaming
machines linked to a jackpot system.
[0049] FIG. 20 is a front view of a plurality of gaming machines
linked to a payline selection unit,
[0050] FIG. 21 is a system of networked, dual monitor gaming
machines incorporating bonus games.
[0051] FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an offset symbol matrix
suited for use with alternative embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0052] FIG. 23 illustrates element boundary shapes and symbols
therein usable with the embodiments of any of FIGS. 1 to 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053] FIG. 1 is a representation of a gaming machine and game 10
according to preferred embodiments of the present invention in
which an electronic display unit 11 is configured under the
control. of a game control module (not shown) to display a game of
chance for money. Display unit 11 represents a number of spinning
reels 13, each reel comprising a plurality of divisions around the
notional reel periphery such that when reels are at rest the
display forms a matrix of columns, corresponding in number to the
reels, and rows 14 corresponding to the divisions of each reel
visible in the display.
[0054] In the particular preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG.
1, a 5 reel game in which 3 divisions or elements of each reel are
displayed when at rest, that is prior to the commencement of a game
and at the end of a game, presents a matrix of 15 elements, each
element corresponding to one of the divisions of a reel.
[0055] Each reel 13 displays in each of the reel divisions indicia
which may be in the form of letters, numbers or symbols or a
combination of these. During a play of a game, the reels are
simulated to spin about their notional common axis, coming to rest
as determined by a random number generation process within the game
control module. It is the pattern of indicia then displayed within
the matrix which determines if any, or which, of a number of
offered prizes has been won by a player of the game. This pattern
of indicia is commonly known as a payline.
[0056] In the present preferred embodiments of the invention, the
payline for at least some of the games played on the machine
corresponds to a pattern of indicia in which the number of discrete
reel divisions, that is elements of the matrix, making up a payline
is larger than the number of columns (that is reels) and wherein
the elements may be configured according to a number of ways. In at
least some preferred embodiments of the invention the payline may
comprise elements of any number between one greater than the number
of columns and the total number of elements of the matrix. Thus for
a five reel and three row displayed matrix the number of elements
making up a payline is in the range of six to fifteen. Paylines may
consist of elements in a contiguous relationship, either by sharing
adjoining edges or common corners. Alternatively, paylines may be
made up of a mixture of contiguous elements and unconnected
elements. In the following preferred embodiments paylines are
comprised of one more element than the number of columns or reels,
thus for a five reel display a payline is made up of six
elements.
[0057] In a first preferred form of a payline according to the
invention, the number of elements making up a winning payline is
one greater than the number of columns, and in one and one only of
the columns, two elements must have a common edge. Examples of this
form of payline may be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0058] In a second preferred form of a payline according to the
invention, the number of elements making up a pay line is again one
more than the number of columns but in this case in one and one
only of the rows two elements must have a common edge. Some
examples of this form of payline may be seen in FIGS. 5 to 7.
[0059] In a third preferred form of a payline according to the
invention, the number of elements making up a payline is also one
more than the number of columns but in this embodiment none of the
elements may have a common edge. Some examples of this form of
payline may be seen in FIGS. 8 to 10.
[0060] In a fourth preferred form of a payline according to the
invention, the number of elements making up a payline remains one
more than the number of columns but in this embodiment every one of
the elements must have a common edge with at least one other
element. Some examples of this form of payline may be seen in FIGS.
11 to 13.
[0061] In a fifth preferred form of a payline according to the
invention, the number of elements making up a payline remains one
more than the number of columns but in this embodiment none of the
elements may have an edge common with any other. Some examples of
this form of payline are shown in FIGS. 14 to 16.
[0062] The payline pattern for any game is randomly selected by the
game control module from a predefined number of possible payline
patterns. These patterns are displayed on one of the front panels
of the gaming machine together with the prizes associated with each
pattern. The payline patterns as defined above may be the only
paylines for which the gaming machine confers prizes, or they may
be additional bonus paylines operating in conjunction with more
conventional paylines.
[0063] If at the end of a game, after the reels have come to rest,
any one of the pre-defined payline patterns can be formed from the
indicia then showing on the display, the display may indicate this
for example by flashing those elements making up the pattern of the
payline.
[0064] In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, as a
game commences, that is as the reels are set into simulated
spinning motion, the payline pattern of divisions randomly selected
for the game may be indicated for example, by an enhanced level of
illumination as illustrated in FIG. 17 or by the projection of the
element outlines as illustrated in FIG. 18. Thus the player is put
into a state of anticipation as to whether the indicia required to
complete the payline will come to rest in the indicated
elements.
[0065] In a further preferred embodiment the reels are first
brought to rest, at which point the winning payline, if any is
highlighted or its elements outlined.
[0066] In yet a further preferred embodiment, when a game ends the
player is invited to judge if he or she believes any one of a
pre-defined number of payline patterns displayed on a front panel
of the gaming machine matches the status of the at-rest reel
display. By pressing an appropriate control button on the machine
control panel the pattern selected by the player is projected onto
the display and if correctly assessed the appropriate prize
awarded.
[0067] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention a player
may pre-select a payline pattern and cause the selected pattern to
be projected onto the matrix. If the pattern of indicia on the
reels at rest corresponds to the pre-selected pattern the player
may be awarded a special prize.
[0068] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention as shown
in FIG. 19 a gaming machine 20 is provided with a secondary display
unit 21 as well as the main display unit 22. In this embodiment the
main display unit 22 is adapted for play of a main game in which
simulated spinning reels determine the configuration of a matrix 23
of elements displaying indicia as described previously above.
[0069] In this embodiment also, it is any one of a number of
predefined paylines 24 displayed on a front panel of gaming machine
20 which determines the outcome of the main game which may
incorporate all the features of the previously described
embodiments. In at least one preferred form of this embodiment a
payline 25 selected by a player may be prominently displayed on the
secondary display unit 21.
[0070] A winning outcome of a main game may confer one or more
bonus games on a player of the main game. The bonus game or games
may be additional main games playable on the main display unit 22
or may be a different form of game playable on the secondary
display unit 21.
[0071] In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention as
shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of gaming machines 30 are arranged
side by side in a line or arc so as to allow each of the players
(not shown) of the machines to view a common jackpot prize display
unit 31. Each individual machine 32 is provided with at least a
main game display unit 33 configured as previously described to
simulate spinning reels during a play of a game, and in which the
reels when at rest display a matrix of indicia displaying elements
as a matrix. In this embodiment also, the winning of a main game is
determined according to one of a predefined plurality of paylines
as described in any of the above embodiments.
[0072] Each of machines 32 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20
is electronically linked to a jackpot control module 34 which
monitors the volume of play on each of the linked machines and
displays an incrementing jackpot value 36 determined according to
the combined volume of play on the linked machines.
[0073] A win of the jackpot prize may be triggered in a number of
ways. For example, one or more particular configurations of a
payline may be indicated on the front panel of each of the machines
as jackpot triggering paylines. Alternatively, the triggering of
the jackpot prize may be dependent on the outcome of a bonus game
conferred on the player of a particular machine. In this example,
players on adjoining machines may be made aware by means of the
common display that a potential triggering of the jackpot is to
commence on the machine offered the bonus game, thus adding
interest for all the players.
[0074] In still a further preferred embodiment of the invention as
illustrated in FIG. 21, a plurality of gaming machines 40 are
linked to a payline selection unit 41. Individual games on each
machine 43 are played as before and are of the form described in
the previous embodiments, that is simulated spinning reels form a
matrix of indicia when at rest and winning paylines are defined as
specific patterns of elements and indicia within that matrix.
However in this preferred embodiment the particular payline pattern
which confers the winning of a prize to a player is selected at
random from a selection of possible paylines by the payline
selection unit 41. The payline selection unit 41 causes this
pattern to be displayed on the secondary display units 42 of each
of the linked machines 43 until one of the machines plays a game
which achieves the winning pattern. The payline selection unit then
determines a new winning payline pattern and displays the new
pattern in the secondary display units 42.
[0075] The player of the winning machine may play one or more bonus
games depending on the nature of the prize awarded and may play any
such games on the main display unit or as a special game on the
secondary display unit. Once any bonus games awarded for play on
the secondary display unit are exhausted the display reverts to
control by the payline selection unit to display the current
winning payline pattern.
Gaming Machine with Extended Payline & N-Sided Elements
[0076] With reference to FIG. 22 there is illustrated an
alternative matrix of elements formed into, in this instance, four
columns 111 and three rows 112A, 112B, 112C. It will be observed
that the previously described matrix 110 remains comprising, in
this instance, four virtual reels, each displaying, when stopped,
three symbols 113A, 113B, 113C when in a stationary position.
[0077] Winning combinations of symbols 113A-C can be determined by
alignment of symbols. For example, in the case of FIG. 22, paying
lines 114 include a substantially horizontal row of symbols 113A
within row 112A.
[0078] It will be observed that, even though the matrix of symbols
is not perfectly rectilinear the human eye can, nonetheless,
discern alignments of symbols in rows and columns.
[0079] Whilst in the case of FIG. 22 the elements comprise N-sided
elements with N=4 it can be envisaged that the N-sided element, as
illustrated in FIG. 23, can comprise different numbers of sides N.
In the simplest case the element comprises a circle (N=1). In more
complex cases N=3 (triangles), 5 (pentagon), 6 (hexagon), 7
(septagon), 8 (octagon), 9 (nonagon), 10 (decagon), 11, 12, 13, 14
through to at least N=20.
[0080] The N-sided element 111A can include within its borders of
sides a graphical symbol 114, the symbol 114 determining results of
games including winning paylines.
[0081] In alternative forms the symbols 114 can be defined by the
sides 115 of element 111A.
[0082] In this arrangement, as best seen in FIG. 23, sides 115, 116
are in parallel, spaced apart relationship.
[0083] The above describes only some embodiments of the present
invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art,
can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of
the present invention.
* * * * *