U.S. patent application number 12/686257 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for gaming method for playing an interactive slot game, and gaming apparatus for implementing the gaming method.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASTRO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Arden YANG.
Application Number | 20110009183 12/686257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43427896 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110009183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANG; Arden |
January 13, 2011 |
GAMING METHOD FOR PLAYING AN INTERACTIVE SLOT GAME, AND GAMING
APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE GAMING METHOD
Abstract
A gaming method for playing an interactive slot game is
implemented by a gaming apparatus. The gaming method includes the
steps of: randomly generating a game symbol combination;
determining whether the game symbol combination includes a
changeable game symbol; when the game symbol combination includes a
changeable game symbol, determining a corresponding position of the
changeable game symbol; allowing player manipulation to generate a
response signal indicating a player-selected position; receiving
the response signal and determining whether the player-selected
position is the corresponding position; randomly changing the
changeable game symbol when the determination made in the last step
is affirmative; determining whether a revised game symbol
combination including the changed game symbol conforms with a
predetermined winning condition; and granting an award when the
determination made in the last step is affirmative.
Inventors: |
YANG; Arden; (Rosemead,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
ASTRO CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
43427896 |
Appl. No.: |
12/686257 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ; 463/25;
463/38; 463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ; 463/25;
463/43; 463/38 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 10, 2009 |
TW |
098123391 |
Claims
1. A gaming method for playing a slot game, said gaming method
being adapted to be implemented using a gaming apparatus that
includes an input unit, an output unit, and a control system, said
gaming method comprising the steps of: a) configuring the control
system to randomly generate a game symbol combination that includes
a plurality of game symbols, and to enable the output unit to
display the game symbol combination thereon; b) configuring the
control system to determine whether the game symbol combination
includes a changeable game symbol therein; c) when it is determined
that the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol
therein, configuring the control system to determine a
corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game
symbol combination and to record the corresponding position
determined thereby; d) allowing a player to manipulate the input
unit to generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected
position in the game symbol combination; e) configuring the control
system to receive the response signal generated by the input unit
and to determine whether the player-selected position indicated by
the response signal is the corresponding position of the changeable
game symbol determined in step c); f) configuring the control
system to randomly change the changeable game symbol when the
determination made in step e) is affirmative; g) configuring the
control system to determine whether a revised game symbol
combination that includes the game symbol changed in step f)
conforms with a predetermined winning condition; and h) granting an
award to the player when the determination made in step g) is
affirmative.
2. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the changeable
game symbol determined in step b) is one of the game symbols in the
game symbol combination generated in step a) that differs from
remaining same ones of the game symbols in a payout line of the
game symbol combination.
3. The gaming method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in step f),
probability of changing the changeable game symbol to be the same
as the remaining same ones of the game symbols in the payout line
is enhanced compared to probability of getting said one of the game
symbols when the game symbol combination is generated in step
a).
4. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step d), at
least one of a button and a joystick of the input unit of the
gaming apparatus is manipulated by the player to generate the
response signal.
5. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game symbol
combination generated in step a) is in a form of a matrix having a
plurality of game symbol positions, each of which corresponds to
one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination, and in step
d), a touch screen of the input unit is pressed by the player to
generate the response signal for selecting one of the game symbol
positions in the matrix as the player-selected position.
6. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step e)
includes configuring the control system such that flow of said
gaming method goes back to step a) when the control system fails to
receive the response signal from the input unit within a
predetermined time limit.
7. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
configuring the control system such that flow of said gaming method
goes back to step a) when the determination made by the control
system in step e) is negative.
8. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step d),
the player is allowed to manipulate the input unit within a
predetermined time limit to generate the response signal.
9. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising,
between steps a) and c), the steps of: i) configuring the control
system to determine whether the game symbol combination generated
in step a) includes a special game symbol therein; j) when it is
determined that the game symbol combination includes the special
game symbol therein, configuring the control system to give the
player an option to manipulate the input unit for generating a
select signal; and k) when the control system receives the select
signal from the input unit in step j), configuring the control
system to complete one round of the slot game without granting the
award to the player.
10. The gaming method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising,
after step j): l) when it is determined that the game symbol
combination includes the special game symbol therein, and the
control system fails to receive the select signal from the input
unit within a predetermined time limit, configuring the control
system to grant an auxiliary award to the player and complete one
round of the slot game.
11. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, the slot game
including a primary slot game and an optional bonus slot game, the
gaming method further comprising, prior to step a), steps for
playing the primary slot game that include: I) configuring the
control system to randomly generate a primary game symbol
combination, to enable the output unit to display the primary game
symbol combination thereon, and to determine whether the primary
game symbol combination conforms with a primary winning condition;
II) when the primary game symbol combination fails to conform with
the primary winning condition, configuring the control system to
determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with
a bonus condition; and III) configuring the control system such
that flow of said gaming method goes to step a) for playing the
bonus slot game when the determination made by the control system
in step II) is affirmative.
12. The gaming method as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the primary
game symbol combination generated in step I) is in a form of an
m.times.n matrix, where n is greater than three; and the game
symbol combination generated in step a) is in a form of an
m.times.(n-2) matrix excluding a first column and an nth column in
the matrix of the primary game symbol combination.
13. A computer program product comprising a machine readable
storage medium having program instructions stored therein which
when executed cause a system to perform consecutive steps of a
gaming method for playing a slot game according to claim 1.
14. A gaming apparatus comprising: an input unit; an output unit;
and a control system coupled to said input unit and said output
unit; wherein said control system is operable to execute a gaming
method for playing a slot game, the gaming method including the
steps of: a) configuring said control system to randomly generate a
game symbol combination that includes a plurality of game symbols,
and to enable said output unit to display the game symbol
combination thereon; b) configuring said control system to
determine whether the game symbol combination includes a changeable
game symbol therein; c) when it is determined that the game symbol
combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, configuring
said control system to determine a corresponding position of the
changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination and to record
the corresponding position determined thereby; d) allowing a player
to manipulate said input unit to generate a response signal that
indicates a player-selected position in the game symbol
combination; e) configuring said control system to receive the
response signal generated by said input unit and to determine
whether the player-selected position indicated by the response
signal is the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol
determined in step c); f) configuring said control system to
randomly change the changeable game symbol when the determination
made in step e) is affirmative; g) configuring said control system
to determine whether a revised game symbol combination that
includes the game symbol changed in step f) conforms with a
predetermined winning condition; and h) granting an award to the
player when the determination made in step g) is affirmative.
15. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
control system includes a game processor, and a storage medium that
is coupled to said game processor and that stores program
instructions for configuring said game processor to execute the
gaming method for playing the slot game.
16. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said
control system further includes a memory device coupled to said
game processor for storing the corresponding position of the
changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination.
17. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said input
unit includes a start button operable to trigger said control
system to execute the gaming method.
18. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said input
unit includes at least one of a button and a joystick operable to
generate the response signal.
19. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game
symbol combination generated in step a) of the gaming method is in
a form of a matrix having a plurality of game symbol positions,
each of which corresponds to one of the game symbols in the game
symbol combination, and said input unit includes a touch screen
adapted to be pressed so as to generate the response signal for
selecting one of the game symbol positions in the matrix as the
player-selected position.
20. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein, in step
b) of the gaming method, the changeable game symbol is one of the
game symbols in the game symbol combination generated in step a)
that differs from remaining same ones of the game symbols in a
payout line of the game symbol combination.
21. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein, in step
f) of the gaming method, probability of changing the changeable
game symbol to be the same as the remaining same ones of the game
symbols in the payout line is enhanced compared to probability of
getting said one of the game symbols when the game symbol
combination is generated in step a).
22. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein step e) of
the gaming method includes configuring said control system such
that flow of the gaming method goes back to step a) when said
control system fails to receive the response signal from said input
unit within a predetermined time limit.
23. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gaming
method further includes configuring said control system such that
flow of the gaming method goes back to step a) when the
determination made by said control system in step e) is
negative.
24. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the player
is allowed to manipulate said input unit within a predetermined
time limit to generate the response signal in step d) of the gaming
method.
25. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gaming
method further includes, between steps a) and c), the steps of: i)
configuring said control system to determine whether the game
symbol combination generated in step a) includes a special game
symbol therein; j) when it is determined that the game symbol
combination includes the special game symbol therein, configuring
said control system to give the player an option to manipulate said
input unit for generating a select signal; and k) when said control
system receives the select signal from said input unit in step j),
configuring said control system to complete one round of the slot
game without granting the award to the player.
26. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gaming
method further includes, after step j): l) when it is determined
that the game symbol combination includes the special game symbol
therein, and said control system fails to receive the select signal
from said input unit within a predetermined time limit, configuring
said control system to grant an auxiliary award to the player and
complete one round of the slot game.
27. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, the slot game
including a primary slot game and an optional bonus slot game,
wherein the gaming method further includes, prior to step a), steps
for playing the primary slot game that include: I) configuring said
control system to randomly generate a primary game symbol
combination, to enable said output unit to display the primary game
symbol combination thereon, and to determine whether the primary
game symbol combination conforms with a primary winning condition;
II) when the primary game symbol combination fails to conform with
the primary winning condition, configuring said control system to
determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with
a bonus condition; and III) configuring said control system such
that flow of the gaming method goes to step a) for playing the
bonus slot game when the determination made by said control system
in step II) is affirmative.
28. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein: the
primary game symbol combination generated in step I) is in a form
of an m.times.n matrix, where n is greater than three; and the game
symbol combination generated in step a) is in a form of an
m.times.(n-2) matrix excluding a first column and an nth column in
the matrix of the primary game symbol combination.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application
No. 098123391, filed on Jul. 10, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming method for playing
a slot game, more particularly to a gaming method for playing an
interactive slot game with enhanced interaction with a player.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Currently, most casinos are provided with slot machines.
Since rules and gaming procedure of a slot game are quite simple,
many casino guests prefer to play with the slot machines.
[0006] A conventional slot machine generates a game symbol
combination including a plurality of game symbols at the end of one
round of a slot game. When the game symbol combination conforms
with a predetermined winning condition, the conventional slot
machine will grant an award to the player. Such predetermined
winning condition is generally that all of the game symbols on a
specified payout line of the game symbol combination are the same
symbol.
[0007] Development of related technology arose in an electronic
slot machine that includes a game processor operable to control the
electronic slot machine for playing a slot game. However, both the
conventional and electronic slot machines follow the rules of the
conventional slot game. Once one round of the slot game starts, the
slot game is completely implemented by the conventional slot
machine or the electronic slot machine, and the player can only
wait for the result of the game symbol combination without any
interaction in the slot game. As a result, the player may lose
interest in the slot game after several rounds. Therefore, player
interest may be sustained in an interactive slot game that allows
greater player participation in the slot game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a gaming method for playing an interactive slot game.
[0009] Accordingly, a gaming method for playing a slot game of this
invention is adapted to be implemented using a gaming apparatus
that includes an input unit, an output unit, and a control system.
The gaming method comprises the steps of:
[0010] a) configuring the control system to randomly generate a
game symbol combination that includes a plurality of game symbols,
and to enable the output unit to display the game symbol
combination thereon;
[0011] b) configuring the control system to determine whether the
game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol
therein;
[0012] c) when it is determined that the game symbol combination
includes a changeable game symbol therein, configuring the control
system to determine a corresponding position of the changeable game
symbol in the game symbol combination and to record the
corresponding position determined thereby;
[0013] d) allowing a player to manipulate the input unit to
generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected
position in the game symbol combination;
[0014] e) configuring the control system to receive the response
signal generated by the input unit and to determine whether the
player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the
corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined in
step c);
[0015] f) configuring the control system to randomly change the
changeable game symbol when the determination made in step e) is
affirmative;
[0016] g) configuring the control system to determine whether a
revised game symbol combination that includes the game symbol
changed in step f) conforms with a predetermined winning condition;
and
[0017] h) granting an award to the player when the determination
made in step g) is affirmative.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
computer program product comprising a machine readable storage
medium having program instructions stored therein which when
executed cause a system to perform consecutive steps of a gaming
method for playing an interactive slot game of this invention.
[0019] According to another aspect of the pre sent invention, a
gaming apparatus comprises an input unit, an output unit, and a
control system coupled to the input unit and the output unit. The
control system is operable to execute the above-mentioned gaming
method for playing the slot game according to the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a
gaming apparatus of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the gaming apparatus
of the first preferred embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a gaming method for
playing a primary slot game implemented by the gaming apparatus of
the first preferred embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the gaming method for
playing a bonus slot game implemented by the gaming apparatus of
the first preferred embodiment;
[0025] FIGS. 5 to 9 are game images related to the bonus slot
game;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a second preferred
embodiment of the gaming method for playing the bonus slot game of
this invention; and
[0027] FIGS. 11 to 13 are game images related to the bonus slot
game of the second preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same
reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment
of a gaming apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a machine
body 10, a control system 2 disposed in the machine body 10, an
input unit 3, and an output unit 4. The control system 2 includes a
game processor 21, and a storage medium 22 and a memory device 23
that are coupled to the game processor 21. The input unit 3
includes a start button 31, a left select button 32, and a right
select button 33 that are disposed on a surface of the machine body
10 and coupled to the game processor 21. The output unit 4 includes
a display screen 40 mounted on a top portion of a front side of the
machine body 10, and a display controller 41 coupled between the
control system 2 and the display screen 40.
[0030] In other embodiments, the machine body 10 can be configured
to satisfy different requirements, or can be designed for other
gaming apparatuses. For example, the machine body 10 can be
provided with a coin slot, other function buttons, a payout
mechanism, a coin tray, etc., and details thereof will be omitted
herein for the sake of brevity.
[0031] In this embodiment, the storage medium 22 of the control
system 2 is a read-only memory (ROM) storing program instructions
for playing an interactive slot game that includes a primary slot
game and a bonus slot game. The memory device 23 of the control
system 2 is a random-access memory (RAM) adapted for storing data
and information generated during the primary slot game and the
bonus slot game. When the program instructions are executed, the
game processor 21 is operable to perform consecutive steps of a
gaming method for playing the primary slot game and the bonus slot
game. The following description is provided to describe the gaming
method in detail.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when a player makes an
appropriate act, such as dropping enough tokens, the game processor
21 is triggered to execute the program instructions stored in the
storage medium 22, and one round of the primary slot game
starts.
[0033] In step (S.sub.11), the game processor 21 is operable to
allow the player to input a first start command through the start
button 31. In response to the first start command from the start
button 31, the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41
to enable the display screen 40 to display an animation image of
rotating reels.
[0034] Then, in step (S.sub.12), the game processor 21 randomly
generates a primary game symbol combination including a plurality
of game symbols, and controls the display controller 41 to enable
the display screen 40 to display the primary game symbol
combination thereon. In this embodiment, the primary game symbol
combination is in a form of, but not limited to, a 3.times.5 matrix
having a plurality of game symbol positions, each of which
corresponds to one of the game symbols in the game symbol
combination.
[0035] In this embodiment, each round of the primary slot game
provides the player with a first predetermined number of chances to
input the first start command for rotating the reels to generate
the primary game symbol combination, and the first predetermined
number is stored in the memory device 23. Moreover, the game
processor 21 is operable to subtract one from the first
predetermined number stored in the memory device 23 in response to
the first start command from the start button 31.
[0036] In step (S.sub.13), the game processor 21 is operable to
determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with
a primary winning condition. In this embodiment, the primary
winning condition is that the game symbols in an upper payout line,
a middle payout line or a lower payout line in the primary game
symbol combination are the same symbol.
[0037] When the primary game symbol combination conforms with the
primary winning condition, the game processor 21 is operable to
grant the player an award instep (S.sub.14) and the current round
of the primary slot game is completed. On the other hand, when the
primary game symbol combination fails to conform with the primary
winning condition, in step (S.sub.15), the game processor 21 is
operable to further determine whether the primary game symbol
combination conforms with a bonus condition for proceeding with the
bonus slot game. In this embodiment, the bonus condition is that
the primary game symbol combination includes a predefined number of
specific same game symbols, or that the game symbols in each of the
first column and the fifth column in the matrix of the primary game
symbol combination are the same symbol.
[0038] The game processor 21 is operable to execute the relevant
program instructions stored in the storage medium 22 for playing
the bonus slot game when the determination made in step (S.sub.15)
is affirmative, and the flow goes to step (S.sub.16) when
otherwise. Instep (S.sub.16), the game processor 21 is operable to
check whether the first predetermined number stored in the memory
device 23 is equal to 0. When the first predetermined number is
equal to 0, the current round of the primary slot game is
completed, and the game processor 21 controls the display
controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display an end
image. Otherwise, the display screen 40 displays an image to notify
the player to input the first start command for rotating the reels
again, and the flow goes back to step (S.sub.11).
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the game processor 21 executes
the relevant program instructions for playing the bonus slot game
when the primary game symbol combination conforms with the bonus
condition. In this embodiment, the bonus slot game provides the
player with a second predetermined number of chances to input a
second start command for rotating the reels to generate another
game symbol combination, and the second predetermined number is
stored in the memory device 23.
[0040] In step (S.sub.21), the game processor 21 controls the
display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a
bonus game image as shown in FIG. 5. In the bonus slot game, the
first and fifth columns in the matrix of the primary game symbol
combination are excluded, and two monkeys holding rocks replace the
first and fifth columns in the matrix. It should be noted that the
appearance of the bonus game image is for illustrative purpose
only, and should not be limited to the disclosure of this
embodiment.
[0041] In step (S.sub.22), the game processor 21 is operable to
check whether the second predetermined number stored in the memory
device 23 is equal to 0. When the second predetermined number is
equal to 0, the flow goes back to step (S.sub.16). Otherwise, the
game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the
display screen 40 to display an image to notify the player to input
the second start command for rotating the reels, and the flow goes
to step (S.sub.23).
[0042] In step (S.sub.23), the game processor 21 is operable to
allow the player to input the second start command through the
start button 31. In response to the second start command from the
start button 31, the game processor 21 controls the display
controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display the
animation image of rotating reels. In the bonus slot game, only
three reels in the middle are rotated. Moreover, the game processor
21 is operable to subtract one from the second predetermined number
stored in the memory device 23 in response to the second start
command from the start button 31.
[0043] Subsequently, in step (S.sub.24), the game processor 21
randomly generates the game symbol combination including a
plurality of game symbols as shown in FIG. 6, and controls the
display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display
the game symbol combination thereon. In the bonus slot game, the
game symbol combination is in a form of a 3.times.3 matrix
excluding the first and fifth columns in the matrix of the primary
game symbol combination.
[0044] In step (S.sub.25), the game processor 21 is operable to
determine whether the game symbol combination generated in step
(S.sub.24) includes a changeable game symbol therein. In this
embodiment, the game processor 21 is configured to check each of
the upper, middle and lower payout lines for determining whether
there is a changeable game symbol in any one of the payout lines of
the game symbol combination. The changeable game symbol is one of
the game symbols in the game symbol combination generated in step
(S.sub.24) that differs from remaining same ones of the game
symbols in the upper, middle or lower payout line of the game
symbol combination. For instance, the game symbol combination shown
in FIG. 6 includes a changeable game symbol "B" in the middle
payout line. It should be noted that the definition of the
changeable game symbol is not limited to this embodiment. For
example, the changeable game symbol can be one of the game symbols
that differs from remaining same ones in a vertical line or a
diagonal line of the game symbol combination in other
embodiments.
[0045] When the game symbol combination does not include a
changeable game symbol therein, the flow goes back to step
(S.sub.22). On the other hand, when it is determined that the game
symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, the
flows goes to steps (S.sub.26) and (S.sub.27). In step (S.sub.26),
the game processor 21 is operable to determine a corresponding
position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol
combination, and to record the game symbol combination and the
corresponding position in the memory device 23. For example, the
changeable game symbol "B" in the game symbol combination shown in
FIG. 6 is at the corresponding position (2,1), i.e., a left game
symbol position in the middle payout line. Further, in step
(S.sub.26), the game processor 21 is also operable to start a timer
once presence of the changeable game symbol is determined.
[0046] In step (S.sub.27), the game processor 21 allows the player
to manipulate the input unit 3 within a predetermined time limit to
generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected
position in the game symbol combination. When the game symbol
combination shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen 40,
the player has to identify the changeable game symbol "B" and to
press the left select button 32 of the input unit 3 to generate the
response signal for selecting the left game symbol position as the
player-selected position within the predetermined time limit.
Furthermore, the player has to press the right select button 33
when the player determines that the changeable game symbol is at a
right game symbol position in one of the payout lines, and has to
press both of the left select button 32 and the right select button
33 upon determining that the changeable game symbol is at a middle
game symbol position in one of the payout lines. In other
embodiments, the input unit 3 can further include a middle select
button operable to generate the response signal for indicating the
middle position, or a joystick can be used for replacing the left
and right select buttons 32, 33. Alternatively, the input unit 3
can include a touch screen adapted to be pressed by the player to
generate the response signal for indicating one of the game symbol
positions as the player-selected position.
[0047] When the game processor 21 fails to receive the response
signal from the input unit 3 within the predetermined time limit,
the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable
the display screen 40 to display a relevant image to notify the
player of loss of the current chance in the bonus slot game in step
(S.sub.28). Then, the flow goes back to step (S.sub.22). In the
case of failure to receive the response signal, the relevant image
is shown to notify the player that the time limit has expired.
[0048] In response to the response signal, in step (S.sub.29), the
game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the
player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the
corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined and
stored in step (S.sub.26). The flow goes to step (S.sub.30) when
the determination made in step (S.sub.29) is affirmative, and goes
to step (S.sub.28) when otherwise. In such case that the
player-selected position is not the corresponding position of the
changeable game symbol, the relevant image shown in step (S.sub.28)
is used for notifying the player of wrong identification of the
changeable game symbol.
[0049] In step (S.sub.30), the game processor 21 is operable to
randomly change the changeable game symbol, and controls the
display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a
game image of changing the changeable game symbol as shown in FIG.
7. In this embodiment, probability of changing the changeable game
symbol to be the same as the remaining same ones of the game
symbols in the payout line is enhanced compared to probability of
getting said one of the game symbols when the game symbol
combination is generated in step (S.sub.24). Referring to the game
symbol combination shown in FIG. 6, the game symbols in the middle
payout line will be the same symbol when the changeable game symbol
"B" in the game symbol combination is changed to be the game symbol
"A". Thus, the probability of changing the changeable game symbol
"B" to be the game symbol "A" is enhanced. For example, the
probability of getting the game symbol "A" in step (S.sub.24) is
1/3, and the probability of changing the changeable game symbol "B"
to be the game symbol "A" is enhanced to 2/3.
[0050] Subsequently, in step (S.sub.31), the game processor 21 is
operable to determine whether a revised game symbol combination
that includes the game symbol changed in step (S.sub.30) conforms
with a predetermined winning condition. In this embodiment, the
predetermined winning condition in the bonus slot game is similar
to the primary winning condition in the primary slot game. When the
revised game symbol combination conforms with the predetermined
winning condition, the game processor 21 is operable to grant the
player an award in step (S.sub.32), and the display screen 40 is
controlled to display the game images of winning the slot game as
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Then, the current round of the primary slot
game is completed. When the revised game symbol combination fails
to conform with the predetermined winning condition, the flow goes
back to step (S.sub.22).
[0051] It should be noted that, when it is determined that the game
symbol combination includes more than one changeable game symbol
therein in step (S.sub.25), the game processor 21 is operable to
compare the player-selected position indicated by the response
signal with each of the corresponding positions of all the
changeable game symbols. When the player-selected position is any
one of the corresponding positions of all the changeable game
symbols, the flow goes to step (S.sub.30).
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, the second preferred
embodiment of the gaming method for playing the interactive slot
game of this invention is described in the following.
[0053] The gaming method of this embodiment is similar to the
gaming method of the first preferred embodiment. First, the game
processor 21 is operable to execute the program instructions stored
in the storage medium 22 for playing the primary slot game. The
game processor 21 is operable to execute the bonus slot game when
it is determined that the primary game symbol combination generated
in step (S.sub.12) conforms with the bonus condition in step
(S.sub.15).
[0054] In this embodiment, the bonus slot game provides the player
with only one chance to input the second start command for rotating
the reels to generate the game symbol combination. Steps
(S.sub.41), (S.sub.42) and (S.sub.43) are similar to steps
(S.sub.21), (S.sub.23) and (S.sub.24) of the gaming method of the
first preferred embodiment, respectively, and details thereof will
be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
[0055] In step (S.sub.44), the game processor 21 is operable to
determine whether the game symbol combination generated instep
(S.sub.43) includes a changeable game symbol therein. When the game
symbol combination does not include a changeable game symbol
therein, the flow goes to step (S.sub.51). On the other hand, when
it is determined that the game symbol combination includes a
changeable game symbol therein, the flows goes to steps
(S.sub.45).
[0056] In step (S.sub.45), the game processor 21 is operable to
determine a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in
the game symbol combination, and to record the game symbol
combination and the corresponding position in the memory device
23.
[0057] In step (S.sub.46), the game processor 21 allows the player
to manipulate the input unit 3 within a predetermined time limit to
generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected
position in the game symbol combination. When the game processor 21
fails to receive the response signal from the input unit 3 within
the predetermined time limit, the current round of the bonus slot
game is completed, and the flow goes back to step (S.sub.16).
[0058] In response to the response signal, in step (S.sub.47), the
game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the
player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the
corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined and
stored in step (S.sub.45). The flow goes to step (S.sub.48) when
the determination made in step (S.sub.47) is affirmative, and goes
back to step (S.sub.16) when otherwise.
[0059] In step (S.sub.48), the game processor 21 is operable to
randomly change the changeable game symbol, and controls the
display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a
game image of changing the changeable game symbol. Probability of
changing the changeable game symbol to be the same as the remaining
same ones of the game symbols in the payout line is enhanced
compared to probability of getting said one of the game symbols
when the game symbol combination is generated in step
(S.sub.43).
[0060] Subsequently, in step (S.sub.49), the game processor 21 is
operable to determine whether a revised game symbol combination
that includes the game symbol changed in step (S.sub.48) conforms
with a predetermined winning condition. When the revised game
symbol combination conforms with the predetermined winning
condition, the game processor 21 is operable to grant the player an
award in step (S.sub.50), and the current round of the slot game is
completed. On the other hand, when the revised game symbol
combination fails to conform with the predetermined winning
condition, the flow goes back to step (S.sub.16).
[0061] Since the relevant contents in steps (S.sub.46) to
(S.sub.49) are similar those in steps (S.sub.27) to (S.sub.31) of
the gaming method of the first preferred embodiment and have
already been described, details thereof will be omitted herein for
the sake of brevity.
[0062] In step (S.sub.51), the game processor 21 is operable to
determine whether the game symbol combination generated in step
(S.sub.43) includes a special game symbol therein. When it is
determined that the game symbol combination includes the special
game symbol therein, the game processor 21 is operable to give the
player an option to manipulate the input unit 3 for generating a
select signal in step (S.sub.52). Otherwise, the flow goes back to
step (S.sub.16).
[0063] In this embodiment, the special game symbol is a game symbol
which is not expected to appear in the game symbol combination,
such as the game symbol "" in the game symbol combination shown in
FIG. 11. The player has to identify presence of the special game
symbol, and should not press the left and right select buttons 32,
33 of the input unit 3 when the special game symbol appears in the
game symbol combination. When the game processor 21 receives the
select signal from the input unit 3 in step (S.sub.52), the game
processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the
display screen 40 to display corresponding game images as shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13 in step (S.sub.53). Then, the current round of the
bonus slot game is completed without granting the award to the
player, and the flow goes back to step (S.sub.16). On the other
hand, when the game processor 21 fails to receive the select signal
from the input unit 3 within a predetermined time limit, the game
processor 21 is operable to grant an auxiliary award to the player
in step (S.sub.54) and complete the current round of the slot
game.
[0064] In conclusion, the interactive slot game according to the
present invention includes the primary slot game and the bonus slot
game. In particular, the bonus slot game provides greater
interaction with the player. Therefore, interest of the player in
the interactive slot game is further enhanced.
[0065] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what are considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *