U.S. patent application number 12/144467 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for domino tower electronic video game.
This patent application is currently assigned to GLOBAL VR. Invention is credited to John W. Asermely, Thomas M. Ducharme, Neil J. Kolakowski, Brad A. Lima, Gregory J. Lima.
Application Number | 20080318653 12/144467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40137038 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080318653 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lima; Brad A. ; et
al. |
December 25, 2008 |
Domino Tower Electronic Video Game
Abstract
Embodiments described herein are directed to an electronic
version of domino that adds elements of wagering. A player makes a
wager for dominoes to be dealt. A minimum of one domino through a
maximum of five dominoes can be wagered on and dealt. Once the
dominoes are dealt, the player may "flip" the dominoes by touching
them. A player can flip the dominoes online in the starting row, so
that dominoes dealt in the next row/level have the best chance of
creating a chain. Once satisfied with the dominoes, the player
keeps the dominoes to play them. A new row of dominoes is then
dealt. Any number of pips on these dominoes that match the bottom
dominoes number of pips awards the player a payout and another
domino or set of dominoes is dealt to the next row/level. This
sequence of play continues until there are no more matching
dominoes or the player has hit the maximum payout level. Payouts
increase with the size of the domino chain. There is also a bonus
game that is awarded whenever a certain type of domino is
dealt.
Inventors: |
Lima; Brad A.; (Somerset,
MA) ; Ducharme; Thomas M.; (Swansea, MA) ;
Kolakowski; Neil J.; (Fall River, MA) ; Lima; Gregory
J.; (Westport, MA) ; Asermely; John W.;
(Westport, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COURTNEY STANIFORD & GREGORY LLP
P.O. BOX 9686
SAN JOSE
CA
95157
US
|
Assignee: |
GLOBAL VR
San Jose
CA
|
Family ID: |
40137038 |
Appl. No.: |
12/144467 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60936354 |
Jun 21, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3295 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/13 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of playing an electronic domino game, the method
comprising: receiving a wager from a player for one or more
dominoes to be dealt; dealing the specified number of dominoes to
the player in a starting row of a game display area; receiving user
input from the player representing flipping of one or more dominoes
in the starting row; dealing an additional row of dominoes to a
second row of the game display area; determining whether any of the
dominoes in the starting row match the domino dealt immediately
above it in the second row; dealing another additional row of
dominoes if there are any matches between the starting row and the
second row; and paying out a defined payout amount for any matched
dominoes between the starting row and the second row.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the defined payout amount
increases for each subsequent dealt row of dominoes.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: defining a domino
representing a bonus game domino; determining if the bonus game
domino is dealt as part of any hand of dominoes; and awarding a
bonus game to the player if the bonus game domino is dealt.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising: allowing the player to
flip dominoes dealt to successive rows after the starting row; and
receiving user input from the player representing flipping of one
or more dominoes in a subsequent row after the starting row.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising determining whether any
of the dominoes in a row matches the domino dealt immediately above
it in a subsequent row.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the domino game is an electronic
game and wherein the player input is received electronically,
comprising at least one of: the player touching a touch screen to
indicate a choice, or the player entering commands through a
keyboard to indicate a choice.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the domino game is a community
game is displayed on a common display viewable by all of the
participating players at one time.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the domino game is played by the
user on an individual computing platform remotely coupled to one or
more other computing platforms operated by other players over a
wide area network.
9. An electronic domino game system, comprising: a plurality of
game machines each of which comprises, an output display device
configured to display an electronic domino game; and an input
device configured to receive user input regarding game play; a
server configured to store instructions comprising a electronic
domino game, wherein the server communicates with the plurality of
game machines via at least one network, and wherein the
instructions, when executed, cause the electronic domino game to be
played on the plurality of game machines, the electronic domino
game comprising: receiving a wager from a player for one or more
dominoes to be dealt; dealing the specified number of dominoes to
the player in a starting row of a game display area; receiving user
input from the player representing flipping of one or more dominoes
in the starting row; dealing an additional row of dominoes to a
second row of the game display area; determining whether any of the
dominoes in the starting row match the domino dealt immediately
above it in the second row; dealing another additional row of
dominoes if there are any matches between the starting row and the
second row; and paying out a defined payout amount for any matched
dominoes between the starting row and the second row.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of electronic
domino games is distributed among a plurality of venues.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the server and plurality of
electronic domino game is located at a venue.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the server and plurality of
electronic domino game machines are coupled over the Internet, and
wherein the server comprises a web server process accessed through
web browsers executed on each of the plurality of electronic domino
game machines.
13. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon
which, when executed by a processor cause a method to be performed,
the method comprising: receiving a wager from a player for one or
more dominoes to be dealt; dealing the specified number of dominoes
to the player in a starting row of a game display area; receiving
user input from the player representing flipping of one or more
dominoes in the starting row; dealing an additional row of dominoes
to a second row of the game display area; determining whether any
of the dominoes in the starting row match the domino dealt
immediately above it in the second row; dealing another additional
row of dominoes if there are any matches between the starting row
and the second row; and paying out a defined payout amount for any
matched dominoes between the starting row and the second row.
14. The medium of claim 13, wherein the player input is received
electronically, comprising at least one of: the player touching a
touch screen to indicate a choice, or the player entering commands
through a keyboard to indicate a choice.
15. The medium of claim 14 wherein a plurality of additional
players interacts with the player through respective game
platforms.
16. The medium of claim 15 wherein the additional players are
remotely coupled over a wide area network and wherein the
respective game platforms comprise personal computer
workstations.
17. The medium of claim 16 wherein the electronic domino game is an
online game served by a web server, and wherein each of the
respective game platforms comprises a computer executing a web
browser.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/936,354, entitled "Domino Tower", filed
Jun. 21, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to interactive
entertainment systems, and more specifically to electronic video
domino games.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic versions of games have become widely developed
for many different kinds of traditional games. For example, console
and online versions of many different card games, especially poker,
have become part of very popular casinos, game rooms and Internet
sites. Besides card games, there are many other types of
traditional games that can be implemented as electronic or online
games, such as board games, puzzles, piece-based games (e.g., chess
or checkers), and the like. Another important class of games are
tile-based games that use tiles as one of the fundamental elements
of play. Principal examples of this type of game are dominos (or
dominoes), Mahjong, Rummikub, and other similar games. Each game
has different tiles, and in a video game format, the tiles are part
of the games' graphical output and/or unit movement system.
[0004] In Western countries, dominos is perhaps the most popular
tile game. A standard domino sets consists of 28 pieces called
dominos, or alternatively bones, cards, tiles or tickets. Each
domino piece is a rectangular tile with a line dividing its face
into two square ends. Each end is marked with a number of black
spots or is blank. The spots (also called "pips") are generally
arranged as they are on six-sided dice, but because there are also
blank ends having no spots there are normally seven possible faces.
Standard domino sets have ends ranging from zero spots to six spots
(a double six set), but specialized sets might range from zero to
nine (a double nine set), zero to twelve (a double twelve set),
zero to fifteen (a double fifteen set), or zero to eighteen (a
double eighteen set). The back side of a domino is generally blank,
or is decorated in the same manner on every piece. In general,
dominos are generic game pieces, and many different games can be
played with a set of dominoes. The standard domino game has each
player starting with a set number of tiles and attempting to place
the tiles on a table until he or she runs out of tiles. Once the
lead tile has been placed, only tiles that match the exposed ends
of a chain may be played. A match occurs when the number value on
two exposed ends of a tile are the same. If a tile is a double it
is placed vertically, otherwise it is placed horizontally on the
table. Players take turns placing tiles that have the same number
of pips as the exposed tiles in a chain. If a player does not have
any tiles which have a number of pips that matches one of the
exposed ends of a chain, the player must draw extra tiles until a
matching tile is drawn.
[0005] Online versions of domino-based games have been developed,
but are rather rudimentary adaptations of the table game. Present
electronic domino games do not provide a sufficient level of
wagering to allow effective use in a casino-type environment or
online betting system.
[0006] What is needed therefore is an electronic or online version
of dominos that exploits some of the graphic gaming elements that
are possible with present video game technologies. What is further
needed is an electronic domino game that effectively incorporates
aspects of wagering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way
of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in
which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic game screen for an online
or electronic domino tower game, according to an embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of a selected number of
dominoes into a domino tower game screen, under an embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an example round of play for a domino
tower game, under an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the display of a defined domino piece
that awards a bonus game, under an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of play for a
domino tower game, under an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic gaming system
according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic gaming system
according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Embodiments described herein include a domino-based
electronic video game that combines elements of a graduated betting
structure with standard domino play in a unique graphic display
structure.
[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are
introduced to provide a thorough understanding of, and enabling
description for, embodiments of the online domino tower game and
game system. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will
recognize that these embodiments can be practiced without one or
more of the specific details, or with other components, systems,
and so on. In other instances, well-known structures or operations
are not shown, or are not described in detail, to avoid obscuring
aspects of the disclosed embodiments.
[0017] Embodiments of the domino tower game are played on an
electronic game console or computer (hereinafter referred to as the
"game platform" or the "game console") that includes a central
processing unit and a display, along with other components, such as
memory, input/output devices, network access devices, and so on. A
graphical user interface provides the game environment for the user
and may be provided on a single display device, or multiple display
devices including a display that is visible to multiple users at
one time. A network of game consoles supporting respective players
of the game may be referred to as the "domino tower." This
embodiment may be implemented in a kiosk-based game environment.
Other embodiments may be implemented in a client-server network
environment for distributed online play among networked computer
users. Such an implementation may utilize the Internet through a
web-based interface between a web server computer and a plurality
of web browser client computers.
[0018] A player makes a wager for dominoes to be dealt. A minimum
of one domino through a maximum of five dominoes can be wagered on
and dealt. Once the dominoes are dealt, the player may "flip" the
dominoes by touching them. A player can flip the dominoes online in
the starting row, so that dominoes dealt in the next row/level have
the best chance of creating a chain. Once satisfied with the
dominoes, the player can elect to keep the dominoes. A new row of
dominoes is then dealt. Any numbers on these dominoes that match
the bottom dominoes top numerical value award the player a payout
and another domino is dealt to the next row/level. This sequence of
play continues until there are no more matched dominoes or the
player has hit the maximum payout level. Payouts increase with the
size of the domino chain. There is also a bonus game that is
awarded whenever a certain type of domino is dealt.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic game screen for an online
or electronic domino tower game, according to an embodiment. This
is the basic screen of the graphical user interface before a player
begins a game. The layout of the basic game screen may be
configured in any number of ways, depending upon actual
implementation based on system constraints and requirements. Play
begins with the player making a bet in the appropriate area 101 of
the game screen. As shown in FIG. 1, the player makes a bet 106 by
selecting the "bet per hand" and "bet max" command buttons on the
game screen. The bet amount can be in any appropriate denomination,
such as money (of any currency), credits, chips, or any similar
defined unit of value. The player selects a number of hands/columns
to play in display area 102. The player can select from one to five
domino pieces. The selected number of dominoes are then dealt
dynamically into display area 103 with predetermined amounts.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of a selected number of
dominoes into a domino tower game screen, under an embodiment. The
example of FIG. 2 illustrates five dominoes 104 placed in display
area 103. Display area 103 represents the starting row for the
tower of dominoes which will be filled by additional rows above
this starting row. When the player is satisfied with the rotation
and placement of the dominoes, he or she must press the "KEEP"
button 105.
[0021] After the player selects the dominoes to keep in the
starting row 103, the system deals a new row of dominoes in the
next row above the starting row. If any domino in this next row is
a match for a domino kept in the starting row, the player will win
the line bet 107 for that column. FIG. 3 illustrates an example
round of play for a domino tower game, under an embodiment. Each
successive play of dominoes builds a tower (column) of dominoes.
Dominos from successive rows that match the domino from the next
lower row, according to normal domino rules are kept for that row
and result in a payout based on the rows valuation. As the tower
grows by adding dominoes from successive rows to the column, the
payouts increase. As shown in FIG. 3, the second row pays exactly
(1.times.) the bet amount as shown by line bet 107, the third row
pays five times (5.times.) the bet amount as shown by line bet 108,
the fourth row pays ten times (10.times.) the bet amount, and so on
to the top row, which may pay out as much as 100.times. the bet
amount. For the example of FIG. 3, the first and last dominoes of
values five and two in the lowest two rows match. The second and
third rows yields only one match for the first domino and the
fourth row domino does not match the lower consecutive domino in
the third row.
[0022] In one embodiment, the dominos dealt in the successive rows
above the starting row are dealt randomly by the system. Each
successive row is dealt only the number of dominos for which a
continuous growing tower (unended chain) is possible. The player
has the option to rotate each domino dealt in each successive row
and presses the KEEP option button to play the dealt domino row.
Successive rows of dominos are dealt until there are no more
matching dominoes in a column, or when the player has reached the
highest payout level. In an alternative embodiment, the player is
allowed to rotate only the dominoes in the starting row, and not
rotate any of the successively dealt dominoes.
[0023] When the domino tower has been built as high as it can go,
the player is shown the result of the game. The total amount won
from each row are totaled together and the player is paid an amount
indicated in the "PAID" area on the lower right of the screen.
[0024] In one embodiment, a bonus game is triggered when a special
defined domino is dealt. Such a domino can be represented in any
appropriate manner. For example, it may be a blank or wildcard
domino. FIG. 4 illustrates the display of a defined domino piece
that awards a bonus game, under an embodiment. For this example,
the bonus game domino is a double blank domino 106. If this domino
is dealt, the player is awarded an extra game.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of play for a
domino tower game, under an embodiment. As shown in block 502, the
process begins with the player making a wager for dominoes to be
dealt. The player is then dealt any number of dominoes from one to
five, block 504. The player can then rearrange the dealt dominoes,
block 506. The system then deals the next row of dominoes, block
508. If the player is not allowed to rearrange these subsequent
dominoes, play proceeds to block 512, otherwise, the player may
rearrange the dominoes on the next row, block 510. In block 512 it
is determined whether any of the dominoes in the starting row
matches the domino dealt immediately above it in the second row. If
there are no matches, the game round ends. If there are one or more
matches, the system proceeds to deal the next row of dominoes. Play
continues until the highest level is reached or no matches occur
between subsequent rows, in which case the game pays out the line
bet amount for each row according to a graduated scale, block
514.
[0026] The domino tower game applies to multiple "fields".
[0027] The domino tower game can be played by a single player
against the system (house), or in a multi-player environment in
which players compete against one another or against the system. In
one embodiment, the domino tower game system is implemented in a
kiosk or console-based system consisting of a number of individual
game consoles connected to one another within an area such as a
room or portion of a casino. For this embodiment, each game
platform is an individual console that can accommodate a single
player, each console has its own display, input/output or
controller section, and money or chip slot, if necessary. A
big-screen display is positioned in the region of the consoles to
display the community game. For the console-based gaming system, a
number of individual game consoles may be positioned in relatively
close proximity to one another and networked together through
appropriate electronic hardware. A common display screen of a
sufficiently large size is positioned so that it is visible to all
of the players of the individual consoles. Alternatively, each
console can display its own game screen, as illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0028] In one embodiment, the domino tower game is executed as a
server process that operates in a client-server system for a number
of networked game consoles. In this case, one of the game consoles
is configured as a server computer that executes the server-side
domino game. Each of the other game consoles executes a client-side
version of the domino game. The server-side process is responsible
for processing and displaying the community game.
[0029] The game consoles for the networked embodiments can be
implemented as video game machines that include display devices or
monitors that display the game according to embodiments. The domino
tower machines also include a central processing unit. The domino
tower machines also include input and output devices for receiving
input from a player and generating appropriate output. For example,
input devices include buttons for the player to push, and a touch
screen the player can touch to select and/or move items displayed.
Output devices include the monitor and speakers for outputting
audio information and sound effects.
[0030] For example, the rearrangement of the dominoes by the player
once they have been dealt to the row or rows of the game screen can
be accomplished by touch screen type inputs, or by cursor
controlled inputs, and the like.
[0031] The game console environment can be provided in a casino
licensed to accept wagers and pay bets. Alternatively, the venue
may be a private residence where players can play the electronic
video game privately. In yet another alternative, the venue may be
an establishment that provides the electronic video game for
amusement only, and no real money is wagered while playing the
game. Several other alternatives are also possible.
[0032] Besides the networked game console implementation, the
domino tower game system can be implemented in an online or
distributed computer network environment. In this implementation,
the players need not be in close proximity with one another, but
can instead play from a computer or processing device in their home
or other remote location. For this embodiment, each remote game
console executes a client side version of the Domino tower game and
one of the networked consoles is configured as a server. For this
embodiment, the server hosts the community game and coordinates the
display of the community game. Alternatively, each of the game
consoles executes a standalone version of the domino tower game. In
this configuration, the community game is synchronized through a
common synchronization process. The network coupling the game
consoles can be a wide area network (WAN), a local area network
(LAN), the Internet, or any other network via which the electronic
domino game data can be effectively transferred.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic gaming system 600
according to an embodiment. System 600 includes a server 602 that
hosts and serves the domino tower game as described herein. The
server 602 can include any known data servers, storage devices
and/or processors capable of communicating via a network. The
server 602 is coupled to a network 604 that can be a wide area
network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), the Internet, or any
other network via which the electronic video game data can be
effectively transferred.
[0034] Various venues 606, 608, and 610 are coupled to the network
604 for receiving the domino tower game from the server 602. Each
of the venues 606, 608, and 610 include game machines. The game
machines include display device or monitors that display the game
as shown in FIGS. 1-8. The game machines also include one or more
central processing units. The game machines also include input and
output devices for receiving input from a player and generating
appropriate output. For example, input devices include buttons for
the player to push, and a touch screen the player can touch to
select and/or move items displayed. Output devices include speakers
for outputting auditory information and sound effects.
[0035] Venue 606 includes machines 612A and 612B through 612N.
Venue 606 includes machines 614A and 614B through 614N. Venue 610
includes machines 616A and 616B through 616N.
[0036] One or more of the venues 606, 608, and 610 can be casinos
licensed to accept wagers and pay bets. Alternatively, one or more
of the venues 606, 608, and 610 can be private residences where
players play the game privately. In yet another alternative, one or
more of the venues 606, 608 and 610 are establishments that provide
the electronic domino tower game to patrons for amusement only and
no real money is wagered while playing the game. Other alternatives
for implementation are also possible.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic gaming system 700
according to another embodiment. System 700 includes venues 702,
704 and 706. Each of the venues 702, 704 and 706 include a server
that stores and serves the Domino tower game as described herein.
Each of the venues 702, 704 and 706 further include game machines
that display the game as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Venue 702 includes
server 708 and machines 710A and 710B through 710N. Venue 704
includes server 712 and machines 714A and 714B through 714N. Venue
706 includes server 718 and machines 718A and 718B through
718N.
[0038] Further variations on the system configurations shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 are also within the scope of the claimed
invention.
[0039] Aspects of the one or more embodiments described herein may
be implemented on one or more computers, game platforms, or
computing devices executing software instructions. The computers
may be networked in a client-server arrangement or similar
distributed computer network. In one embodiment, the Domino tower
game system may be implemented in a World-Wide Web (WWW)
environment in which a server or server clustering environment
stores data in the form of web pages and transmits these pages as
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) files over the Internet to the
client computers. For this embodiment, the client computers
typically run a web browser program to access the web pages served
by the server computer and any available content provider or
supplemental server.
[0040] The network client computers are configured to run a
client-side process that implements embodiments of the Domino tower
game program. The client computer may be any type of suitable
computing device, such as a game kiosk or console, personal
computer, workstation computer, notebook computer, personal digital
assistant (PDA), mobile phone, smartphone, or any similar class of
mobile computing device with sufficient processing, communication,
and audio/video playback capability. For the networked embodiments,
any of the processes executed on any of the client and/or server
computers may be standalone programs executed locally on the
respective client computer, or they can be portions of a
distributed client application run on the client or a network of
client computers. Such programs may also be referred to by other
terms, such as "module," "component," and "process." These terms
may be used interchangeably to mean a computer program, routine, or
subroutine that is executed on any of the server and/or client
computers, and may be implemented as software, firmware, or
programmed hardware.
[0041] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of
"including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural
number also include the plural or singular number respectively.
Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above," "below,"
and words of similar import refer to this application as a whole
and not to any particular portions of this application. When the
word "or" is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that
word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any
of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any
combination of the items in the list.
[0042] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the
systems and methods is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the systems and methods to the precise forms disclosed. While
specific embodiments of, and examples for, the systems components
and methods are described herein for illustrative purposes, various
equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the
systems, components and methods, as those skilled in the relevant
art will recognize. The teachings of the systems and methods
provided herein can be applied to other systems and methods for
electronic domino games, not only for the systems and methods
described above.
[0043] The elements and acts of the various embodiments described
above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and
other changes can be made to the systems and methods in light of
the above detailed description.
[0044] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should
not be construed to limit the systems and methods to the specific
embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but
should be construed to include all systems and methods that operate
under the claims. Accordingly, the systems and methods are not
limited by the disclosure, but instead the scope of the systems and
methods is to be determined entirely by the claims.
[0045] While certain aspects of the systems and methods are
presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate
the various aspects of the systems and methods in any number of
claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the systems and
methods may be recited as embodied in machine-readable medium,
other aspects may likewise be embodied in machine-readable medium.
Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional
claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim
forms for other aspects of the systems and methods.
* * * * *