U.S. patent application number 13/291923 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for slot machine, and method of playing a slot machine, with location dependent symbol award values.
This patent application is currently assigned to PTT LLC. Invention is credited to T. Grant Bolling, Daniel Mordecai Marks, Anthony M. Singer.
Application Number | 20120315976 13/291923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47293629 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120315976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Singer; Anthony M. ; et
al. |
December 13, 2012 |
SLOT MACHINE, AND METHOD OF PLAYING A SLOT MACHINE, WITH LOCATION
DEPENDENT SYMBOL AWARD VALUES
Abstract
A variety of methods are used to calculate symbol award values
based upon the location of one or more predetermined symbols in a
symbol matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the award value for a
symbol varies according to the row in which the symbol appears. In
another embodiment, the award value for symbols varies according to
the relative locations of the symbols to each other in the symbol
matrix.
Inventors: |
Singer; Anthony M.; (Ramsey,
NJ) ; Bolling; T. Grant; (Mahwah, NJ) ; Marks;
Daniel Mordecai; (Cold Spring, NY) |
Assignee: |
PTT LLC
Mahwah
NJ
|
Family ID: |
47293629 |
Appl. No.: |
13/291923 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11803061 |
May 11, 2007 |
8052514 |
|
|
13291923 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. A method of operating a game comprising in combination:
displaying a symbol matrix having at least one row intersecting a
plurality of columns and a symbol location at each row-column
intersection, with each among the rows and columns including a
plurality of symbol locations; selecting from among the displayed
symbol locations without regard to whether any symbol location has
been selected for display of any symbol, at least one first-award
symbol location and at least one second-award symbol location for
the award symbol; associating a first value with the first-award
symbol location and a second value with the second-award symbol
location, wherein the first value is different than the second
value based on the location of the award symbol on the symbol
matrix regardless of combinations with other symbols in the symbol
matrix; arranging a plurality of symbols within the symbol matrix;
displaying the rearranged symbols; and issuing win indicia based
upon the first value if an award symbol appears in a first-award
symbol location without regard to any symbol appearing in any
adjacent location and upon the second value if an award symbol
appears in a second-award symbol location without regard to any
symbol appearing in any adjacent location.
4. The game operating method of claim 3 wherein the arranging step
takes place randomly.
5. The game operating method of claim 3 wherein the arranging step
takes place after receiving a wager initiating action.
6. The game operating method of claim 4 wherein the arranging step
takes place after receiving game wager initiating information.
7. The game operating method of claim 3 wherein the issuing step
includes providing an award.
8. The game operating method of claim 6 wherein the issuing step
includes providing an award.
9. A method of operating a game comprising: displaying a symbol
matrix formed by at least one row intersecting a plurality of
columns, the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols;
defining at least one symbol as an award symbol; randomly assigning
award values to the rows and columns where the award symbol may be
displayed, without regard to whether any symbol location has been
selected for display of any symbol, and without regard to
appearance of the award symbol in combination with other symbols in
the symbol matrix, wherein the assigned award values differ from
each other based on the column and row of each assigned award
value; randomly rearranging the plurality of symbols; displaying
the rearranged symbols; and issuing award indicia for appearance of
the award symbol anywhere in the symbol matrix, the award indicia
having a value determined by the assigned award value of the row
and the column in which the award symbol appears, without regard to
any symbol adjacent to the award symbol.
10. The game operating method of claim 9 wherein the arranging step
takes place randomly.
11. The game operating method of claim 9 wherein the arranging step
takes place after receiving a wager initiating action.
12. The game operating method of claim 10 wherein the arranging
step takes place after receiving a wager initiating action.
13. The game operating method of claim 9 wherein the issuing step
includes providing an award.
14. The game operating method of claim 12 wherein the issuing step
includes providing an award.
15. A method of operating a game comprising: displaying a symbol
matrix formed by at least one row intersecting a plurality of
columns, the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols,
defining at least two symbols as award symbols; rearranging the
plurality of symbols; displaying the rearranged symbols; and
issuing win indicia for appearance of two award symbols anywhere in
the matrix, the win indicia having a value that changes based on
the relative separation between the two award symbols, without
regard to any location of any other symbol, and without the award
symbols appearing in combination with other symbols in the symbol
matrix.
16. The method of claim 15 in which the separation between the two
award symbols is determined by the number of rows separating the
two award symbols.
17. The method of claim 17 in which the separation between the two
award symbols is determined by the number of columns separating the
two award symbols.
18. The game operating method of claim 15 wherein the arranging
step takes place randomly.
19. The game operating method of claim 18 wherein the arranging
step takes place after receiving a wager initiating action.
20. The game operating method of claim 19 wherein win indicia
comprises an award.
21. A method of playing a game comprising: displaying a symbol
matrix formed by at least one row intersecting a plurality of
columns, the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols;
defining at least two symbols as award symbols; rearranging the
plurality of symbols; displaying the rearranged symbols; and
issuing win indicia for the appearance of two award symbols
anywhere in the symbol matrix, the win indicia having a value that
changes based on the locations of the award symbols within the
symbol matrix, wherein the value is determined by counting at least
one of (i) the number of rows separating the two award symbols, and
(ii) the number of columns separating the two award symbols,
without regard to any location of any other symbol, and without the
award symbols appearing in combination with other symbols in the
symbol matrix.
22. The game playing method of claim 21 where the rearranging is
random and the win indicia comprises an award.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of prior application Ser.
No. 11/803,061, filed May 11, 2007, which issued Nov. 8, 2011 as
U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,514 titled METHOD OF PLAYING A SLOT MACHINE
WITH LOCATION DEPENDENT SYMBOL AWARD VALUES, and which is hereby
incorporated by reference for all that it discloses.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] 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 THE INVENTION
[0003] In general, the present invention relates to new methods for
calculating symbol award values in a slot machine game. More
specifically, the present invention relates to scatter symbol award
values that depend upon the location of the scatter symbols in the
symbol matrix.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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 wager,
spinning the reels, collecting awards--remain the same from machine
to machine.
[0006] The many similarities of conventional slot machines
frustrate players, casinos, and manufacturers. Players tire of
games using the same methods of play; casinos cannot distinguish
their games offerings 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
uniquely entertaining slot machine games, including new methods of
calculating symbol award values, as taught by the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention includes a variety of methods to
calculate symbol award values based upon the location of the
symbols in the symbol matrix.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the award value for a symbol
varies according to the row in which the symbol appears. For
example: the award value for a symbol in row 1 starts at X; the
award increases value in row 2 from X to Y (Y>X); and the award
further increases value in row 3 from Y to Z (Z>Y).
[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the award value for a symbol
varies according to the column in which the symbol appears. For
example: the award value for a symbol in column 1 starts at A; the
award increases value in column 2 from A to B (B>A); the award
increases value in column 3 from B to C (C>B); the award
increases value in column 4 from C to D (D>C): and the award
further increases value in column 5 from D to E (E>D).
[0011] In another embodiment, the award value for a symbol varies
according its location in the symbol matrix and also according to
the changing values associated with the locations in the symbol
matrix. For example: the award value for a symbol in row 1 starts
at X during spin 1; the award value for a symbol in row 1 increases
from X to Y (Y>X) during spin 2; and then award value for a
symbol in row 1 decreases from Y back to X during spin 3.
[0012] In another embodiment, the award values for a first and
second symbol vary in different manners according to their
locations in the symbol matrix. For example: the award value for
the "Red" symbol in row 1 starts at X; the award increases value in
row 2 from X to Y (Y>X); and the award further increases value
in row 3 from Y to Z (Z>Y). At the same time, the award value
for the "Blue" symbol in column 1 starts at A; the award increases
value in column 2 from A to B (B>A); the award increases value
in column 3 from B to C (C>B); the award increases value in
column 4 from C to D (D>C); and the award further increases
value in column 5 from D to E (E>D),
[0013] In another embodiment, the award for a symbol varies within
a range of values according its location in the symbol matrix. For
example: the award value for a symbol in row 1 starts at X, where X
represents a value range from X.sub.1 to X.sub.2
(X.sub.2>X.sub.1); the award increases value in row 2 from X to
Y, where Y represent a value range from Y.sub.1 to Y.sub.2
(Y.sub.2>Y.sub.1, Y.sub.1>Xsub.1, and Y.sub.2>X.sub.2);
the award increases value in row 3 from Y to Z, where Z represent a
value range from Z.sub.1 to Z.sub.2 (Z.sub.2>Z.sub.1,
Z.sub.1>Y.sub.1, and Z.sub.2>Y.sub.2).
[0014] In another embodiment, the award for a symbol varies
according to its location in the symbol matrix relative to other
symbols. For example: the award value for the "Red" symbol varies
according to its distance, as measured by rows, columns, or symbol
positions, from the "Blue" symbol. In one variation of this
embodiment, the award values increase with greater distance between
the symbols; in another variation, the award values increase with
less distance between the symbols.
[0015] In another embodiment, the award for a symbol varies
according to its location in the symbol matrix relative to a
non-symbol. For example: the award value for the "Red" symbol
varies according to its distance, as measured by rows, columns, or
symbol positions, from the "Trigger" symbol. In one variation of
this embodiment, the award values increase with greater distance
between the symbol and the Trigger symbol: in another variation,
the award values increase with less distance between the symbol and
the Trigger symbol.
[0016] In any of the preferred or alternative embodiments of the
present invention, the award values may take the form of credits,
cash, coins, electronic funds transfer, free spins, prizes, bonus
events, and/or other award values.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying figures illustrate various stages of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a representative game screen with a "D-D-D"
line pay appearing across the middle row of the symbol matrix.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a representative game screen with an "S" symbol
appearing in the top row of the symbol matrix.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a representative game screen with an "S" symbol
appearing in the middle row of the symbol matrix.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a representative game screen with an "S" symbol
appearing in the bottom row of the symbol matrix.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary contactor for mating with
the arrangement of die shown in FIG. 4;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] To play a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
player initializes credits, sets the wager, spins the reels, and
collects awards for line pays and scatter pays, as detailed below
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4:
[0024] Initialize Credits. The player initializes credits by
depositing money in the form of coins, gaming tokens or paper
currency into a coin head (not shown) or bill acceptor (not shown).
Coins and gaming tokens are collected in a reservoir (not shown)
inside the gaming machine; paper currency is collected in the bill
acceptor (not shown) inside the gaming machine.
[0025] If the coins, gaming tokens or paper currency are validated
as authentic, the player accrues the appropriate number of playing
credits on the Credit meter 116. More credits may be initialized,
if necessary, by additional deposits. Alternatively, any method of
initializing credits may be used including debit cards, credit
cards, smart cards, or other form of electronic funds transfer.
[0026] Set the Wager. The player sets the wager by selecting pay
lines and setting the bet per pay line. The wager is calculated by
multiplying the number of selected pay lines by the bet per pay
line. For example, the player places a 5-credit wager on each of
the nine available pay lines for a 45-credit total bet. The total
bet amount is displayed on the Total Bet meter 122.
[0027] To select pay lines, the player uses the Select Pay Lines
button 108 and views the number of selected pay lines on the Select
Pay Lines meter 118. The player uses the Select Pay Lines button to
select pay lines in a predetermined order. For example, the first
pay line selected is always pay line 1, second pay line selected is
always pay line 2, etc. Alternatively, fewer or greater than nine
pay lines may be used with any order of pay line activation.
[0028] To set the bet per pay line, the player uses the Bet Per Pay
Line button 110 and views the amount bet per pay line on the Bet
Per Pay Line meter 120. The same amount is wagered on each pay
line. For example, the player may place up to 5-credit wagers on
each pay line. Alternatively, wagers of any amount may be placed on
a pay line, with the same or different amount wagered on each pay
line.
[0029] In addition, the player may use the Bet Max button 112 to
place the maximum bet per pay line on all pay lines. Alternatively,
any wager may be assigned a button.
[0030] Spin the Reels. The player uses the Spin button 114 to
randomly rearrange the symbols displayed in the symbol matrix 190.
The symbol matrix 190 contains three symbol positions for each of
the five slot reels 156-164 for a total of fifteen symbol positions
126-154, Alternatively, any number of reels with any number of
symbol positions may be used.
[0031] The slot reels 156-164 spin and randomly stop one reel
at-a-time, from left to right, until all five reels have stopped
and all fifteen symbol positions 126-154 of the symbol matrix 190
are revealed. Alternatively, any size symbol matrix may be used and
any method may be used to rearrange symbols in the symbol
matrix.
[0032] Line Pay Awards. The player collects line pay awards based
upon the appearance of three or more same symbols in adjacent
positions of a payline, starting from the leftmost position of a
pay line. The value of all line pay awards are defined in the pay
schedule (not shown), with a predetermined award value assigned to
each listed line pay.
[0033] Alternatively, line pays may be comprised of any number of
same or different symbols appearing in any positions of a payline.
Further, the pay schedule may define any number of line pays, with
any award type and/or amount assigned to each line pay. The player
may view the pay schedule by using the Pays button 104.
[0034] In FIG. 1, a winning D-D-D symbol combination 136-140
appears on a payline defined across the middle row 136-144 of the
symbol matrix 190. The game calculates the value of the D-D-D
symbol combination 136-140, without regard to its location in the
symbol matrix, by multiplying the combination's 100-credit award,
as listed on a predetermined pay schedule (not shown), by the five
credits bet per pay line, as set by the Bet Per Pay Line button 110
and displayed on the Bet Per Pay Line meter 120. The resulting
500-credit line pay award is displayed on the Paid meter 124.
[0035] Scatter Pay Awards. The player also collects awards based
upon the appearance of one or more predetermined symbols
"scattered" anywhere in the symbol matrix 190 ("scatter symbols"),
with the award value dependent upon the row in which the scatter
symbols appear, The value of a scatter symbol award in each of the
rows--top 126-134, middle 136-144, and bottom 146-154--is defined
in the pay schedule (not shown).
[0036] In FIG. 2, a scatter symbol "S" appears in the first row
126-134 of the symbol matrix 190. The game calculates the value of
the "S" scatter symbol 130 by multiplying the 5-credit scatter
award value for the first row 126-134, as listed on a predetermined
pay schedule (not shown), by the 45-credit total amount bet, as
displayed on the Total Bet meter 122. The resulting 225-credit
scatter pay award is displayed on the Paid meter 124.
[0037] In FIG. 3, a scatter symbol "S" appears in the middle row
136-144 of the symbol matrix 190, The game calculates the value of
the "S" scatter symbol 140 by multiplying the 10-credit scatter
award value for the middle row 136-144, as listed on a
predetermined pay schedule (not shown), by the 45-credit total
amount bet, as displayed on the Total Bet meter 122. The resulting
450-credit scatter pay award is displayed on the Paid meter
124.
[0038] In FIG. 4, the scatter symbol appears in the bottom row
146-154 and results in a higher award, 900-credits, than the
scatter symbol appearing in the top row 126-134, 225-credit award,
or middle row 136-144, 450-credit award.
[0039] Following the calculation of the scatter pay and/or line pay
awards, the credit values are added to the player's balance of
credits, As long as the player has credits on the Credit meter 116,
the player may continue to play the gaming machine or the player
may also collect the balance of credits by pressing the Cash Out
button 102. In addition, the player may press the Help button 106
to view the rules of the game.
Scope & Spirit of the Present Invention
[0040] 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 claims, therefore, seek
to cover all features and advantages that fall within the true
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *