U.S. patent application number 12/006157 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for method of rearranging objects in a game matrix.
Invention is credited to Daniel Mordecai Marks, Stephen Patterson, Anthony M. Singer.
Application Number | 20080161095 12/006157 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39584791 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080161095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patterson; Stephen ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
Method of rearranging objects in a game matrix
Abstract
The present invention includes a variety of methods for
rearranging symbols in a symbol matrix by displaying the rotation
of symbols around a common point. In a preferred embodiment, each
symbol rotates along its own path around a common point located in
the center of the matrix. In another preferred embodiment, the
common point around which the symbols rotate is represented by an
object formed by the symbol set, such that all symbols used in the
game are component parts of the common point.
Inventors: |
Patterson; Stephen; (Mount
Kisco, NY) ; Singer; Anthony M.; (Ramsey, NJ)
; Marks; Daniel Mordecai; (Cold Spring, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PTT LLC (D/B/A HIGH 5 GAMES)
1200 MACARTHUR BLVD
MAHWAH
NJ
07430
US
|
Family ID: |
39584791 |
Appl. No.: |
12/006157 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60877996 |
Dec 29, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3286 20130101;
G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a game using a symbol matrix formed by at
least one row intersecting with a plurality of columns, with the
rows and columns including a plurality of symbols, comprising: a)
placing a wager to participate in the game; b) randomly rearranging
the plurality of symbols by: 1) displaying the rotation of said
symbols around a common point; and 2) replacing said symbols during
their rotation around the common point. c) displaying the
rearranged symbols in the symbol matrix following the completion of
the symbols' rotation around the common point; and d) issuing
awards for winning symbol combinations appearing in the symbol
matrix.
2. A method of playing a game using a symbol matrix formed by at
least one row intersecting with a plurality of columns, with the
rows and columns including a plurality of symbols, comprising: a)
placing a wager upon one or more symbol positions in the symbol
matrix; b) randomly rearranging the plurality of symbols by: 1)
displaying the rotation of said symbols around a common point
comprised of the entire symbol set; and 2) replacing said symbols
during their rotation around the common point using symbols from
the common point. c) displaying the rearranged symbols in the
symbol matrix following the completion of the symbols' rotation
around the common point; and d) issuing awards for winning symbol
combinations appearing in the symbol matrix.
Description
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
or may contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction of
the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records,
but otherwise reserves all copyright rights.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] In general, the present invention relates to new methods of
rearranging objects in a game matrix and, more specifically,
rearranging symbols in the symbol matrix of a slot machine
game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] To play a conventional slot machine, the player deposits
money into the machine, sets the wager, and spins the reels. When
the reels stop spinning, the player collects credits for winning
symbol combinations displayed on the reels, if any, according to a
predetermined pay schedule.
[0004] While the appearance of conventional slot machines may
change from one theme, such as space aliens, to another, such as
farm animals, the underlying methods of play--setting the wagering,
spinning the reels, collecting awards--remain the same from machine
to machine.
[0005] The use of reel strips to rearrange symbols is one example
of the similar methods used by conventional slot machines. In a
conventional slot machine, symbols are rearranged by three or more
reel strips which rotate and then stop to display randomly
rearranged symbols in the symbol matrix.
[0006] The many similarities of conventional slot machines, such as
the rotation of symbols on reel strips, limit the value of the slot
machine games for players, casinos, and manufacturers. Players tire
of the same methods of play; casinos cannot distinguish their games
from other casinos; and manufacturers cannot distinguish their
products from other manufacturers.
[0007] New methods of playing slot machines, therefore, are
required to provide players, casinos, and manufacturers with new
slot machine games, including new ways of rearranging symbols in
the symbol matrix.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying figures illustrate various stages of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows symbols displayed in their starting positions
of the symbol matrix.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows symbols beginning to rotate around a common
point.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows symbols at approximately 90-degrees along their
rotational paths.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows symbols at approximately 180-degrees along
their rotational paths, with the symbols obscured by the common
point.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows symbols emerging from behind the common
point.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows symbols at approximately 270-degrees along
their rotational paths.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows symbols returning to their starting positions
of the symbol matrix.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows symbols displayed in their starting positions
of the symbol matrix, with said symbols removed from the symbol set
comprising the common point.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows symbols beginning to rotate around a common
point, with said symbols removed from the symbol set comprising the
common point.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows symbols at approximately 180-degrees along
their rotational paths at which point said symbols rejoin the
symbol set comprising the common point.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows symbols emerging from behind the common point,
with said symbols removed from the symbol set comprising the common
point.
[0020] FIG. 12 shows symbols returning to their starting positions
of the symbol matrix, with said symbols removed from the symbol set
comprising the common point.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention includes a variety of methods for
rearranging symbols in a symbol matrix by displaying the rotation
of individual symbols around a common point.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, each symbol rotates along its own
path around a common point located in the center of the matrix,
such that the rotational paths of the symbols resemble the orbital
paths of the planets in our solar system around the sun.
[0023] In FIGS. 1 to 7, symbols appearing on a video display screen
rotate in simulated three-dimensional space along 360-degree paths
around the common point, as follows:
[0024] In FIG. 1, fifteen symbols are displayed in the fifteen
symbol positions of the symbol matrix. In FIG. 2, all fifteen
symbols begin to travel along their rotational paths by moving to
the right and receding (or appearing to move away from the player).
The symbol positions in the symbol matrix remain vacant until
symbols return.
[0025] In FIG. 3, the symbols stop receding towards the right and
begin receding to the left once symbols reach approximately
90-degrees from their starting positions. Shortly thereafter, the
symbols begin to disappear behind the common point, as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0026] While the common point obscures the symbols, each symbol is
replaced by a randomly selected symbol from the same, common symbol
set. Alternatively, the replacement symbols may be selected from
symbol sets specific to positions of the symbol matrix, from symbol
sets specific to rotational paths around the common point, or from
any other symbol set. The replacement symbols then complete the
remainder of the original symbols' rotational paths.
[0027] At approximately 180-degrees from their starting positions
in the symbol matrix, the symbols stop receding and begin emerging
(or appears to move closer to the player) for the remainder of
their rotational paths.
[0028] Shortly before reaching 270-degrees from their starting
positions, the symbols appear from behind the common point, as
shown in FIG. 5. Upon reaching 270-degrees from their starting
positions, the symbols stop emerging towards the left and begin
emerging to the right at approximately, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0029] Upon completing their 360-degree rotational paths, the
symbols return to fill the fifteen positions in the symbol matrix,
as shown in FIG. 7. Following completion of all symbol rotations,
awards issue for winning symbol combinations, if any, formed in the
symbol matrix.
[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the common point around
which the symbols rotate is represented by an object formed by the
symbol set, such that all symbols used in the game are component
parts of the common point.
[0031] The common point rotates continuously around its own
vertical axis at a faster rate than the symbols rotate around the
common point, such that the symbols resemble satellites rotating
around a planet which is rotating around its own axis.
Alternatively, the center point may rotate at any rate around an
axis of any inclination.
[0032] FIGS. 8 to 14 show a sphere acting as a common point, with
the sphere comprised of symbols displayed on rectangular blocks, as
follows:
[0033] The common point is comprised of N symbols, such that N is
equal to or greater than the number of symbol positions in the
symbol matrix. In FIG. 8, fifteen symbols are removed from the
common point and displayed in the fifteen symbol positions of the
symbol matrix.
[0034] In FIG. 9, the symbols in the symbol matrix begin to travel
along their rotational paths by moving to the right and receding
(or appearing to move away from the player). The symbol positions
in the symbol matrix remain vacant until symbols return.
[0035] Between 90-degrees and 270-degrees from their starting
positions, the symbols re-join the common point by filling the
fifteen vacant positions in the common point, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0036] After the symbols have re-joined the common point, fifteen
replacement symbols randomly detach from the common point, with
each symbol detaching at approximately 270-degrees along the
rotation path, as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, symbols may
detach from the common point according to an orbital dynamic
algorithm that takes into account the rotation kinetics of the
common point or detach according to any other suitable method.
[0037] In FIG. 12, the replacement symbols return to fill the
fifteen positions of the symbol matrix after completing their
360-degree rotational paths. Following completion of all symbol
rotations, awards issue for winning symbol combinations, if any,
formed in the symbol matrix.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0038] In addition to the methods described in the preferred
embodiments above, the present invention may be modified in one or
more aspects including but not limited to the following alternative
embodiments:
[0039] In one embodiment, the present invention may rearrange
symbols arranged in a symbol matrix of any size, such as a symbol
matrix with 4 rows and 6 columns.
[0040] In another embodiment, the present invention may rearrange
symbols displayed in any number of symbol positions, such as symbol
matrices with 18 or 22 positions.
[0041] In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate
symbols around any number of common points. For example, symbols
may rotate around 2 different points, with 7 of 15 symbols rotating
around one common point and the remaining 8 symbols rotating around
the other common point.
[0042] In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate
symbols using any number of paths. For example, symbols may rotate
along 3 paths, with top row symbols following a first path, middle
row symbols a second path, and bottom row symbols a third path.
[0043] In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate
symbols in any direction. For example, some symbols may rotate
clockwise and other symbols may rotate counter-clockwise.
[0044] In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate
symbols any number of times. For example, some symbols may rotate
three times or 1080-degrees from their starting position in the
symbol matrix.
[0045] In another embodiment, the present invention may replace
symbols at any point during the rotational path. For example,
symbols may be replaced one-quarter or 90-degrees through the
rotational path.
[0046] In another embodiment, the present invention may replace
symbols any number of times during the rotational path. For
example, a symbol may be replaced 3 times during its path.
[0047] In another embodiment, the present invention may return
symbols to any position in the symbol matrix following the
completion of the symbol's rotational path. For example, the symbol
in position 1 returns to position 8 upon completing its rotational
path.
[0048] In another embodiment, the present invention may return any
number of symbols to the symbol matrix following the completion of
the symbols' rotational paths. For example, fifteen symbols start
rotational paths, but only 12 of the symbols complete their paths
and return to the symbol matrix.
[0049] In another embodiment, the present invention uses
three-dimensional symbols and/or rotational points. For example,
symbols shaped as objects have width, height and depth
features.
[0050] In another embodiment, the present invention may be operated
using any display method, such as video display screens, 3-D
display screens, holographic projection, or other method that
allows the player to view the rotational paths of the symbols.
[0051] In another embodiment, the present invention may be used as
a feature for a sub-set of symbols displayed in the symbol matrix,
such as 10 of the 15 symbols in the symbol matrix.
[0052] In another embodiment, the present invention may be used as
an optional game feature, such as a feature that is purchased with
a supplemental wager by the player.
[0053] In another embodiment, the present invention may be used as
a bonus game feature, such as a feature of a free-spin bonus
game.
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0054] The many features and advantages of the present invention
are apparent from the descriptions of the preferred and alternative
embodiments. The present invention, however, is not limited to
these particular embodiments, as the invention is capable of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. For example, new
features may be added to an existing embodiment or features from
two or more embodiments may be combined to produce a new
embodiment. Further, features mentioned in any embodiment may be
interchanged with similar features not mentioned that perform the
same or similar functions. And, finally, the phraseology and
terminology used to explain the embodiments are only descriptive
and should not be regarded as limiting. The patent application and
claims, therefore, seek to cover all features and advantages that
fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
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