U.S. patent application number 14/182602 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for electronic bingo game with secondary wheel game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Zitro IP S.ar.l.. The applicant listed for this patent is Zitro IP S.ar.l.. Invention is credited to Johnny De Viveiros Ortiz.
Application Number | 20140235318 14/182602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50190173 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140235318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Viveiros Ortiz; Johnny |
August 21, 2014 |
ELECTRONIC BINGO GAME WITH SECONDARY WHEEL GAME
Abstract
A gaming machine for allowing a player to play a game is
described herein. The gaming machine includes a display device for
displaying a primary game and a secondary game and a controller
coupled to the display device. The controller is configured to
display the primary game on the display device including a
bingo-type game. The controller detects a triggering condition
occurring in the bingo-type game and responsively displays the
secondary game on the display device. The secondary game includes a
roulette-type game being displayed with a set of secondary symbols.
The controller randomly selects at least one of the secondary
symbols from the set of secondary symbols and provides an award to
the player as a function of the outcome of the bingo-type game and
the selected secondary symbol.
Inventors: |
De Viveiros Ortiz; Johnny;
(Madrid, ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zitro IP S.ar.l. |
Luxembourg |
|
LU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Zitro IP S.ar.l.
Luxembourg
LU
|
Family ID: |
50190173 |
Appl. No.: |
14/182602 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61765995 |
Feb 18, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/062 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/19 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/06 20060101
A63F003/06 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine for allowing a player to play a game,
including: a first display for displaying a primary game; a second
display for displaying a secondary game, the second display include
a physical wheel device having a set of secondary symbols being
displayed on an outer surface of the wheel device; and a controller
coupled to the first and the second displays, the controller
configured to: receive a wager from the player associated with the
primary game and responsively display the primary game on the
display device, the primary game including a bingo-type game having
at least one bingo card including a plurality of bingo symbols
being selected from a predefined set of game symbols; randomly
select a plurality of drawn symbols from the predefined set of game
symbols; determine if each one of the plurality of drawn symbols
matches a corresponding one of the plurality of bingo symbols and
determine an outcome of the bingo-type game as a function of the
matched bingo symbols; detect a triggering condition occurring in
the bingo-type game and responsively initiate the secondary game on
the display device; randomly select at least one of the secondary
symbols from the set of secondary symbols and spin and stop the
wheel device to display the selected secondary symbols; and provide
an award to the player as a function of the outcome of the
bingo-type game and the selected secondary symbol.
2. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, the controller
configured to determine an outcome of the bingo-type game as a
function of the randomly selected secondary symbol.
3. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 2, the controller
configured to determine if the selected secondary symbol matches a
corresponding one of the plurality of bingo symbols and determine
an outcome of the bingo-type game as a function of the matched
secondary symbol.
4. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, the set of
secondary symbols including at least one wild symbol, the wild
symbol being a matched symbol for each of the bingo symbols being
displayed on the at least one bingo card in the outcome of the
bingo-type game.
5. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, the controller
configured to: detect the triggering condition upon receiving a
second wager from the player, the second wager being associated
with the secondary game; and responsively initiate the secondary
game upon receiving the second wager from the player.
6. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, the triggering
condition being defined as a predefine number of drawn symbols, the
controller responsively displaying the secondary game upon
selecting a number of drawn symbols that is equal to the predefined
number of drawn symbols.
7. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, the controller
configured to: determine a combination being formed with the
matched bingo symbols; and displaying the secondary game if the
formed combination matches a predefined winning combination.
8. A gaming machine for allowing a player to play a game,
including: a display device for displaying a primary game and a
secondary game; and a controller coupled to the display device, the
controller configured to: receive a wager from the player
associated with the primary game and responsively display the
primary game on the display device, the primary game including a
bingo-type game having at least one bingo card including a
plurality of bingo symbols being selected from a predefined set of
game symbols; randomly select a plurality of drawn symbols from the
predefined set of game symbols; determine if each one of the
plurality of drawn symbols matches a corresponding one of the
plurality of bingo symbols and determine an outcome of the
bingo-type game as a function of the matched bingo symbols; detect
a triggering condition occurring in the bingo-type game and
responsively display the secondary game on the display device, the
secondary game including a roulette-type game being displayed with
a set of secondary symbols; randomly select at least one of the
secondary symbols from the set of secondary symbols; and provide an
award to the player as a function of the outcome of the bingo-type
game and the selected secondary symbol.
9. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 8, the controller
configured to determine an outcome of the bingo-type game as a
function of the randomly selected secondary symbol.
10. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 9, the controller
configured to determine if the selected secondary symbol matches a
corresponding one of the plurality of bingo symbols and determine
an outcome of the bingo-type game as a function of the matched
secondary symbol.
11. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 8, the set of
secondary symbols including at least one wild symbol, the wild
symbol being a matched symbol for each of the bingo symbols being
displayed on the at least one bingo card in the outcome of the
bingo-type game.
12. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 8, the controller
configured to: detect the triggering condition upon receiving a
second wager from the player, the second wager being associated
with the secondary game; and responsively initiate the secondary
game upon receiving the second wager from the player.
13. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 8, the triggering
condition being defined as a predefine number of drawn symbols, the
controller responsively displaying the secondary game upon
selecting a number of drawn symbols that is equal to the predefined
number of drawn symbols.
14. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 8, the controller
configured to: determine a combination being formed with the
matched bingo symbols; and displaying the secondary game if the
formed combination matches a predefined winning combination.
15. A system, comprising: a plurality of gaming machines, each
gaming machine being configured to receive a wager from the player
associated with a primary game and responsively display the primary
game to the player, the primary game including a bingo-type game
having at least one bingo card including a plurality of bingo
symbols being selected from a predefined set of game symbols; a
central display device for displaying a secondary game; and a
system controller coupled to the central display and each of the
plurality of gaming machines, the system controller configured to:
detect a triggering condition occurring in one of the bingo-type
games being played at each corresponding gaming machines and
responsively display the secondary game on the central display
device, the secondary game including a roulette-type game being
displayed with a set of secondary symbols; randomly select at least
one of the secondary symbols from the set of secondary symbols; and
provide an award to the player as a function of the outcome of the
corresponding bingo-type game and the selected secondary
symbol.
16. A system in accordance with claim 15, the system controller
configured to determine an outcome of the corresponding bingo-type
game as a function of the randomly selected secondary symbol.
17. A system in accordance with claim 16, the controller configured
to determine if the selected secondary symbol matches a
corresponding one of the plurality of bingo symbols being displayed
with the corresponding bingo-type game and determine an outcome of
the corresponding bingo-type game as a function of the matched
secondary symbol.
18. A system in accordance with claim 15, the set of secondary
symbols including at least one wild symbol, the wild symbol being a
matched symbol for each of the bingo symbols being displayed on the
at least one bingo card in the outcome of the corresponding
bingo-type game.
19. A system in accordance with claim 15, the controller configured
to: detect the triggering condition upon receiving a second wager
from the player, the second wager being associated with the
secondary game; and responsively initiate the secondary game upon
receiving the second wager from the player.
20. A system in accordance with claim 15, the triggering condition
being defined as a predefine number of drawn symbols, the
controller responsively displaying the secondary game upon
detecting a number of drawn symbols that is equal to the predefined
number of drawn symbols in the corresponding bingo-type game.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/765,995, filed Feb. 18, 2013, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety for all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] The figures included herein contain material that is subject
to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to
the facsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it
appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or
records, but reserves all copyrights whatsoever in the subject
matter presented herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a
system for allowing players to play matching games and more
particularly, to methods and systems for allowing players to play
bingo-type games that include a secondary wheel game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Electronic gaming machines (EGM), such as a slot machines,
video poker, blackjack or keno machines, typically include an outer
cabinet that houses a main controller, several peripheral devices,
and wiring harnesses to electrically connect the peripheral devices
to the main controller. The main controller may, for example,
include one or more printed circuit boards carrying one or more
processors, a plurality of logic devices, and one or more memory
devices for storing executable program code and game data. The
memory devices for storing executable code may, for example,
include EPROMS, hard disk drives, SD-Cards, Compact FLASH cards,
CD-ROMs, DVDs, and Smart Media cards. The stored executable code
provides two basic functions, namely, providing an operating system
for controlling the gaming machine and handling communications
between the gaming machine and an external network, and the game
code for conducting a game on the gaming machine.
[0005] EGMs may provide a variety of games, such as bingo games. In
a typical bingo game, randomly-drawn numbers are used until at
least one player covers a predetermined line forming bingo. The
game-winning awards are generally pari-mutuel in nature, that is,
the bingo win award is based upon the total amount wagered on a
given occurrence of the bingo game. In electronic bingo games
provided through an EGM, the traditional bingo game is played with
electronic bingo card representations rather than the traditional
printed bingo cards. The bingo cards are generally represented by a
data structure that defines the various card locations and
designations associated with the locations. The game may be played
through EGMs acting as player terminals connected via a
communications network or at standalone EGMs. A central computer
system or game server in the network may be responsible for storing
the bingo card representations and distributing or communicating
bingo card representations to players at the player terminals. The
player terminals display the bingo cards defined by the card
representations and may also allow the players to daub or mark
designation matches as game designations are announced in the game
or may automatically mark the designation matches.
[0006] At least some known gaming systems display video based games
such as bingo-type games that allow players to purchase bingo cards
for use in playing the bingo-type game. Each bingo card includes a
randomly selected sub-set of numbers from a pre-defined set of
numbers. During play of the bingo-type game, the gaming system
conducts a draw in which a plurality of numbers are randomly
selected from the predefined set of numbers. During the draw, the
player compares the drawn number with the numbers displayed on the
purchased bingo cards to determine if a match occurs between the
drawn number and the numbers displayed on the bingo cards. The
player marks, or daubs, each corresponding matched number on the
bingo card and indicates a winning outcome when the matched numbers
forms a complete row and/or column on the bingo card. The gaming
system verifies the winning outcome and responsively provides an
award to the player based on the winning outcome indicated on the
bingo card.
[0007] Over time, during game play, the player may become
frustrated because the chances of receiving an award are based only
on the number of matches made between the numbers selected during
the draw and the predefined set of numbers displayed on the
player's bingo card. Accordingly, new features are necessary to
appeal to player interest and enhance excitement in order to entice
longer play and increased profitability. The present invention is
directed to satisfying these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention is generally directed to systems and methods
for allowing players to play bingo-type games having a secondary
game that includes a set of symbols for use in the bingo-type
games.
[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for
allowing a player to play a game is provided. The gaming machine
includes a first display for displaying a primary game, a second
display for displaying a secondary game, and a controller coupled
to the first and the second displays. The second display includes a
physical wheel device having a set of secondary symbols being
displayed on an outer surface of the wheel device. The controller
is configured to receive a wager from the player associated with
the primary game and responsively display the primary game on the
first display. The primary game includes a bingo-type game having
at least one bingo card including a plurality of bingo symbols
being selected from a predefined set of game symbols. The
controller randomly selects a plurality of drawn symbols from the
predefined set of game symbols, determines if each one of the
plurality of drawn symbols matches a corresponding one of the
plurality of bingo symbols, and determines an outcome of the
bingo-type game as a function of the matched bingo symbols. The
controller detects a triggering condition occurring in the
bingo-type game and responsively initiates the secondary game on
the second display. The controller randomly selects at least one of
the secondary symbols from the set of secondary symbols, spins and
stops the wheel device to display the selected secondary symbols,
and provides an award to the player as a function of the outcome of
the bingo-type game and the selected secondary symbol.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine
for allowing a player to play a game is provided. The gaming
machine includes a display device for displaying a primary game and
a secondary game and a controller coupled to the display device.
The controller is configured to receive a wager from the player
associated with the primary game and responsively display the
primary game on the display device. The primary game includes a
bingo-type game having at least one bingo card including a
plurality of bingo symbols being selected from a predefined set of
game symbols. The controller randomly selects a plurality of drawn
symbols from the predefined set of game symbols, determines if each
one of the plurality of drawn symbols matches a corresponding one
of the plurality of bingo symbols, and determines an outcome of the
bingo-type game as a function of the matched bingo symbols. The
controller detects a triggering condition occurring in the
bingo-type game and responsively displays the secondary game on the
display device. The secondary game includes a roulette-type game
being displayed with a set of secondary symbols. The controller
randomly selects at least one of the secondary symbols from the set
of secondary symbols and provides an award to the player as a
function of the outcome of the bingo-type game and the selected
secondary symbol.
[0011] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a system is
provided. The system includes a plurality of gaming machines, a
central display device, and a system controller coupled to the
central display and each of the plurality of gaming machines. Each
gaming machine is configured to receive a wager from the player
associated with a primary game and responsively display the primary
game to the player. The primary game includes a bingo-type game
having at least one bingo card including a plurality of bingo
symbols being selected from a predefined set of game symbols. The
central display device is configured to display a secondary game.
The system controller is configured to detect a triggering
condition occurring in one of the bingo-type games being played at
each corresponding gaming machines and responsively display the
secondary game on the central display device. The secondary game
includes a roulette-type game being displayed with a set of
secondary symbols. The system controller randomly selects at least
one of the secondary symbols from the set of secondary symbols and
provides an award to the player as a function of the outcome of the
corresponding bingo-type game and the selected secondary
symbol.
[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for
providing a bingo based game is provided. The method includes
conducting an extra spin based game when at least one of the
following conditions is met: the bingo based game has ended, the
bingo based game has provided a number of balls equal to a number
of slots comprised in a bingo card, and/or at least one card of the
bingo game comprises one vacant slot that corresponds to a missing
number of a group of numbers comprised by at least one bingo card
of the player. The method also includes allowing a player of the
bingo game to complete the bingo card by running the spin based
game. The spin based game may include at least a group of numbers
corresponding to those of the at least one bingo card of the
player. The spin based game may also include at least one special
item than may be exchanged by any number comprised in the bingo
card. The method may also include removing a certain amount of
credit from a credit account of the player every single time the
spin based game is triggered. The credit may include at least part
of an outcome of the bingo based game. The games may be provided by
means of a game module of a gaming device controlled by at least
one processing unit. The spin based game may also end when at least
of the following conditions is met: the player has a credit value
lower than a spin game trigger value, the player triggers an end of
game action, and/or the spin based game provides at least one of
the missing numbers of the bingo card completing the bingo card.
The method may also include purchasing credit in order to have a
credit a value equal to a spin game trigger value in order to
trigger the spin based game.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a gaming device
is provided. The gaming device includes at least one processing
unit connected to a gaming module, an input means, a memory and at
least one display. The processing unit is operative for providing a
bingo based game, and conducting an extra spin based game allowing
a player of the bingo based game to complete a bingo card by
running the spin based game. The gaming device may also include a
communications means operative to establish a network of
interconnected gaming devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Other advantages of the invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a gaming machine for
use in allowing a player to play a bingo-type game, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is another schematic representation of the gaming
machine shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is schematic representation of a gaming controller
that may be used with the gaming machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method that may be used with the
gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 for allowing a player to play a
bingo-type game including a secondary game via the gaming machine,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exemplary entertaining graphical display of a
bingo-type game including a secondary game that may be used with
the method shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is schematic representation of a wheel device for use
in displaying the secondary game that may be used with the gaming
machine shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIGS. 7-9 are other schematic representations of the wheel
device that may be used with the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a system for
allowing players to play a bingo-type game including a secondary
game, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a gaming device for
allowing a player to play a bingo-type game including a secondary
game, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] With reference to the drawings and in operation, the
invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known
systems by providing, among other things, gaming machines and
systems that provide a bingo-type game to players that includes a
secondary roulette-type game having a set of secondary symbols that
may be used to generate winning bingo combinations in the
bingo-type game. More specifically, the present invention includes
a gaming machine that includes a wheel device that displays a
plurality of bingo symbols that may be used to match symbols being
displayed on bingo cards during the bingo-type game. Moreover, the
gaming machine may detect a triggering condition in the bingo-type
game, and responsively initiate the secondary game to select one or
more bingo symbols for use by the player in achieving a winning
outcome in the bingo-type game. In addition, the gaming machine may
modify the wheel device during subsequent plays of the secondary
game to remove previously selected secondary symbols to facilitate
preventing the same symbol from being selected during subsequent
rounds of the secondary game. In addition, the gaming machine may
select the secondary symbols from a set of bingo symbols being
displayed with a corresponding bingo card being played in the
bingo-type game to improve the probability of selecting a secondary
symbol that matches a bingo card symbol.
[0026] By providing a secondary roulette-type game to provide
additional bingo symbols, the present invention allows game
designers to provide additional winning opportunities to players
during a bingo game without modifying play of the primary
bingo-type game. In addition, the prevent invention provides
additional opportunities for players to achieve awards during the
primary bingo-type game, thus increasing the enjoyment of the
primary bingo-type game and increasing the amount of revenue
generated by the gaming machine.
[0027] The present invention is generally directed to systems and
methods for providing a secondary game to an electronic device,
such as an EGM or other electronic platform, in connection with a
primary or underlying game, such as a bingo game.
[0028] In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a system
and method of providing a secondary game in addition to an
underlying game of bingo through an EGM having a processor, memory,
communication device and at least one display device. In some
embodiments, the secondary game includes a plurality of potential
awards which may be won, wherein the awards are displayed
circumferentially about a circular element. The awards may be
initially hidden behind numbers or openly displayed, either along
the inner or outer circumference of the circular element. The award
won is randomly selected by an indicating feature associated with
the circular element.
[0029] In some embodiments, the circular element of the secondary
game is mounted for rotational motion adjacent to a stationary
indicator, wherein the stationary indicator identifies the award
won upon the circular element coming to a stop after being spun. In
other embodiments, the circular element is stationary and the
indicator is mounted for rotational motion about the circular
element, thus identifying the award won upon the indicator coming
to a stop after being spun. In some embodiments, the indicating
feature involves a light display, wherein the circular element or
portions thereof illuminate randomly or sequentially about the
circular element, such as in a manner which simulates a spinning
action. In such an embodiment, the illumination may stop upon,
further illuminate or otherwise be used to identify the award
won.
[0030] In some embodiments, the secondary game may be a virtual or
mechanical unit associated with the EGM and underlying bingo game.
The circumferentially displayed awards may be preselected or
generated randomly, and may include any items of value, such as
bonus amounts or game credits. Each of the circumferentially
displayed awards may be made unavailable after being won, so that
in any one game session a player may win a limited amount of
awards.
[0031] In some embodiments, the circular element is divided into a
plurality of sectors in which an award is displayed. The sectors
may illuminate to show the award displayed therein as being
available and then unlit after the award displayed is won to
indicate the award is unavailable. The sectors may be evenly or
unevenly divided. In some embodiments, the sectors are reconfigured
upon the winning of an award so that only the available awards are
displayed.
[0032] In some embodiments, the circular element is a mechanical
wheel which is capable of being actuated or spun by a player, such
as roulette wheel, and is configured to come to a stop over time
through an opposing counterforce such as friction. In other
embodiments, the circular element is partially virtual, in that it
includes a mechanical or physical portion in addition to virtually
simulated aspects, whereas in other embodiments the circular
element is entirely a virtual display provided on the main EGM
display or a separate display unit.
[0033] In some embodiments, the secondary game involving the
spinning of a circular element or wheel as a means for determining
an award is associated with the satisfaction of preset criteria in
the underlying bingo game, such as achieving a winning outcome or
bonus amount. For example, upon satisfying the preset criteria in
the underlying game, players may then be provided with an
opportunity to cause the wheel to spin until stopping at an award,
which would then be identified by the indicating feature and the
actual award would be revealed, if not already displayed on the
wheel.
[0034] In some embodiments, the playing of the secondary game is
provided as an option for which players must place a wager or pay
to select. The option to play the secondary game may be provided
upon satisfaction of preset criteria in the underlying game, such
as a winning outcome or receipt of a bonus amount. In some
embodiments, selecting the option to play the secondary game also
requires paying an amount, which may be equal to or a portion of a
bonus amount won. Thus, subsequent to winning a bonus, players may
be offered the option to use the bonus won as an entrance fee for
playing a secondary game, which may provide the opportunity win an
award of greater value than the bonus. The amount which must be
paid to play the secondary game may be a preset amount, an amount
the player decides, or an amount which can vary each time the
option is offered, either randomly or depending on other factors,
such as the amount of the bonus won or value of the awards
available to be won. The awards may be monetary amounts or a
multiplier, in which case the award would then be equal to the
multiplier times the amount paid to play the secondary game. In the
embodiment in which a player decides the amount to pay to enter the
secondary game, the secondary game awards available may be adjusted
based on the amount.
[0035] In some embodiments, the circular element is associated with
an underlying bingo game and the circular element may display some
or all available bingo ball numbers. It should be understood that
bingo ball numbers may refer to physical implements of a
traditional bingo game or the random number generated simulation of
a bingo game. In some embodiments, the display on the circular
element may be provided upon the conclusion of a bingo game so that
only the remaining non-winning bingo ball numbers are displayed on
the circular element. In some embodiments, players may further
wager or otherwise be allowed to actuate the spinning of the
circular element in any of the forms discussed herein in order to
attempt to complete a bingo card used in the underlying bingo
game.
[0036] In some embodiments, the system and method of the invention
includes the steps of: communicating to a player of an underlying
game of bingo an opportunity to pay an amount to play a secondary
game responsive to the satisfaction of preset criteria in the
underlying game, wherein the secondary game includes a plurality of
awards and means for identifying an award won; receiving the amount
communicated; actuating the secondary game responsive to receive
the amount; determining the award won and communicating the award
won to the player; optionally communicating a query to the player
in which the player may pay an additional amount to play the
secondary game another time, wherein the player may be required to
forfeit the previous award won in the secondary game or may be able
to keep the previous award won in the secondary game; and actuating
the secondary game responsive to receive of the additional
amount.
[0037] The invention is also directed to a system for providing
methods as described above, which may be partially or wholly
carried out in a variety of ways and/or through a variety of
systems and devices, which may include, but are not limited to, an
EGM for one or more players, standalone multiplayer platforms which
may include a player interface such as a touchscreen display,
through a home computer or portable computing device, such as a
tablet computer or mobile phone capable of communicating with a
server, network or over the Internet, global telecommunication
network or world wide web. An EGM of the invention may include one
or more processing devices in communication with a database or
memory device, data input/output device and display device. The
memory device may include data relating to the underlying game and
embodiments of the invention as described herein, such as the
preset criteria. The display device may display the bingo cards and
outcomes as described herein and the data input/output device may
facilitate selecting bingo cards, accepting wagers and providing
awards, which may be either bonus or secondary game awards.
[0038] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to
performing wagering games, and to gaming devices or a machine that
is operative to conduct at least a bingo based game and a spin
based game. Both games are carried out by means of at least one
processing unit connected to a gaming module, an input means, a
memory, at least one display, and communications means operative to
establish a network of interconnected gaming devices.
[0039] In one embodiment, the present invention is aimed at the
completion of a bingo card of a bingo game, and includes a
processing unit that is operative for providing the bingo based
game and the extra spin based game by allowing a player of the
bingo based game to complete a bingo card by running the spin based
game with both games being provided by means of a game module of a
gaming device controlled by at least one processing unit.
[0040] Moreover, the player may play the extra spin based game once
the bingo based game has ended or once the bingo based game has
provided a number of balls equal to a number of slots comprised in
a bingo card, or when at least one card of the bingo game comprises
one vacant slot that corresponds to a missing number of a group of
numbers comprised by at least one bingo card of the player. The
last option opens the possibility of playing the spin based game
allowing the player of the bingo game to complete the bingo card by
running the spin based game which renders a number comprised in a
group of numbers corresponding to those of the one bingo card of
the player; when that number is the missing number of the bingo
card the player is considered to have a complete bingo card of the
bingo game.
[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the spin based game
may comprise wildcards or special items that might be exchanged by
any number of the bingo card, this feature is specially relevant
when the special item is exchanged by the number missing on the
bingo card, so the player may complete, and thus win the bingo
game, by obtaining the missing number by either getting said
special item or the missing number as at outcome of the spin based
game.
[0042] Since wagering games are credit based games, both the bingo
and the spin based games are also credit triggered games comprising
removing a certain amount of credit from a credit account of the
player every single time the spin based game is triggered, said
credit is a credit value equal to the spin game trigger value and
can be at least part of an outcome of the bingo based game.
[0043] In some alternative embodiments of the invention, the spin
based game may be triggered either buying more credits and then
accessing the spin based game or as a bonus feature of the bingo
game, thus not compromising any user credit; namely for free. In
this latter situation the user may access the spin based game at no
cost so no credit is required; this free access may be randomly
produced or pre-programmed under certain parameters.
[0044] Once the spin based game is ongoing it may end when at least
of the following conditions is met: the player has a credit value
lower than a spin game trigger value, the player triggers an end of
game action; or the spin based game provides at least one of the
missing numbers of the bingo card completing the bingo card.
[0045] A selected embodiment of the invention will now be explained
with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following
description of the embodiment of the invention is provided for
illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention
as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0046] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a schematic representation of a gaming
machine 10 for use in allowing a player to play a bingo-type game
including a secondary game, according to an embodiment of the
invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
video gaming machine preferably installed in a casino. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 includes a display
device 12 for displaying a plurality of games, a user input device
14 to enable a player to interface with the gaming machine 10, and
a system controller 16 that is operatively coupled to the display
device 12 and the user input device 14 to enable a player to play
games being displayed on the display device 12. The gaming machine
10 may also include a cabinet assembly 18 that is configured to
support the display device 12, the user input device 14, and/or the
system controller 16 from a supporting surface.
[0047] The display device 12 and the user input device 14 are
coupled to the cabinet assembly 18 and are accessible by the
player. In one embodiment, the system controller 16 is positioned
within the cabinet assembly 18. Alternatively, the system
controller 16 may be separated from the cabinet assembly 18, and
connected to components of the gaming machine 10 through a network
such as, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area
network (WAN), dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems,
and/or special high-speed Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN) lines.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the display device 12
displays a game screen 20 (shown in FIG. 5) including indicia
and/or symbols for use in a game, e.g., symbols for a bingo-type
game, cards used by a card game, roulette wheel and symbols used in
a roulette game, and/or reels used in a reel game, or any type of
game which allows a player to make a wager, play a game, and
potentially provide the player an award based on an outcome of the
game and a paytable. The display device 12 is configured to display
a primary game 22 such as, for example, a bingo-type game, and a
secondary game 24 such as, for example, a roulette-type wheel game
on the game screen 20.
[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the display device 12
includes a first display 26 and a second display 28. The first
display 26 is configured to display the bingo-type game 22
including game symbols 30 and/or indicia for use playing the
bingo-type game 22. The second display 28 is configured to display
the secondary game 24 including a plurality of secondary symbols 32
and/or indicia for use playing the roulette-type game 24. Moreover,
each display 26 and 28 may be configured to display at least a
portion of the game screen 20. For example, in one embodiment, the
first display 26 may display the primary game 22 and the second
display 28 may display the secondary game 24. In another
embodiment, the first display 26 may display the primary game 22
and the secondary game 24. In one embodiment, the first and second
displays 26 and 28 each may include a flat panel display, such as a
cathode ray tube display (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a
light-emitting diode display (LED), an organic light-emitting diode
display (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode
display (AMOLED), a plasma display, and/or any suitable visual
output device capable of displaying graphical data and/or text to a
user.
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is
configured to display the primary game 22 and the secondary game 24
using computer generated graphics and video images being displayed
on the display device 12. In one embodiment, the gaming machine 10
is configured to display the secondary game 24 including a video
wheel device 34 that includes a plurality of secondary symbols 32.
Moreover, the wheel device 34 may include a circular element 36
including the plurality of secondary symbols 32 being displayed
about a circumference of the circular element 36. In another
embodiment, the gaming machine 10 may include a mechanical wheel
device 38 (shown FIG. 6) for use in displaying the secondary game
24. Moreover, the mechanical wheel device 38 may include a physical
circular element 36 that includes the plurality of secondary
symbols 32 being displayed thereon.
[0051] The user input device 14 includes a plurality of input
buttons 40, a coin slot 42, a bill acceptor 44, and a coin tray 46
for dispensing coins to the player. In one embodiment, the input
buttons 40 may include one or more BET switches 48 for inputting a
wager on a game and selecting a number of rounds to be played
during a gaming session, and a PAYOUT switch 50 for ending a gaming
session and dispensing accumulated gaming credits to the player. In
the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 may also include
a start button associated with the primary game 22, e.g. a DRAW
switch 52 to allow the player to initiate a draw operation
associated with the bingo-type game 22, and/or another start button
associated with the secondary game 24, e.g. a SPIN switch 54 to
allow the player to initiate a spin of the wheel device 34 during
the roulette-type game 24. In addition, the user input device 14
may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a
stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch
screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, an
audio input device, and/or any suitable input device that enables
the player to interact with the gaming machine 10. Alternatively, a
single component, such as a touch screen, may function as both the
display device 12 and as the user input device 14.
[0052] The coin slot 42 includes an opening that is configured to
receive coins and/or tokens deposited by the player into the gaming
machine 10. The gaming machine 10 converts a value of the coins
and/or tokens to a corresponding amount of gaming credits that are
used by the player to wager on games played on the gaming machine
10. The bill acceptor 44 includes an input and output device that
is configured to accept a bill, a ticket, and/or a cash card into
the gaming machine 10 to enable an amount of gaming credits
associated with a monetary value of the bills, ticket, and/or cash
card to be credited to the gaming machine 10. Moreover, the gaming
machine 10 may also utilize a cashless wagering system (not shown),
such as a ticket in ticket out (TITO) system (not shown).
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the
system controller 16 includes a gaming controller 56, a database
58, an input controller 60, a credit controller 62, and a display
controller 64. The gaming controller 56 communicates to the
database 58, the input controller 60, the credit controller 62, and
the display controller 64, and executes various programs, and
thereby controls other components of the gaming machine 10
according to player instructions and data accepted by the user
input device 14.
[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller 56
includes a processor 66 and a memory device 68 that is coupled to
the processor 66. The memory device 68 includes a computer readable
medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM),
read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a
diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc,
and/or any suitable device that enables the processor 66 to store,
retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data.
[0055] The processor 66 executes various programs, and thereby
controls other components of the gaming machine 10 according to
user instructions and data received from the user input device 14.
The processor 66 in particular displays the graphical interfaces 70
(shown in FIG. 5) and executes a game program, and thereby enables
the gaming machine 10 to generate games and allow players to play
the games in response to user instructions received via the user
input device 14 in accordance with the embodiments described
herein. The memory device 68 stores programs and information used
by the processor 66. Moreover, the memory device 68 stores and
retrieves information in the database 58 including, but not limited
to, image data for producing images and/or screens on the display
device 12, and temporarily stores variables, parameters, and the
like that are used by the processor 66. In addition, the memory
device 68 may store game data in the database 58 including, but not
limited to, game indicia, symbol weights, bingo cards, game
symbols, primary game symbols, secondary game symbols, bingo
symbols, primary game awards, secondary game awards, paytables,
and/or winning combination tables which represent relationships
between combinations of random numbers, combinations of symbol
matches and types of awards associated with each game.
[0056] The credit controller 62 manages the amount of player's
credits, which is equivalent to the amount of coins and bills
counted and validated by the bill acceptor 44. The credit
controller 62 converts a player's credits to coins, bills, or other
monetary data by using the coin tray 46 and/or for use in
dispensing a credit voucher via the bill acceptor 44. The credit
controller 62 may display a credit meter (not shown) on the display
device 12 including an amount of gaming credits available to the
player for use in playing the game. During a gaming session, the
credit controller 62 may deduct an amount of credits equal to the
amount of wagers made by the player from the credit meter, and
credit any awards provided to the player based on the outcome of
the games to the credit meter.
[0057] In one embodiment, the gaming machine 10 may include a
player tracking device (not shown) that is coupled to a player
tracking server (not shown) that includes a plurality of player
tracking accounts. Each player tracking account is associated with
a corresponding player and includes information associated with
player tracking points, gaming credits, and/or monetary funds
available for use in purchasing gaming credits. In one embodiment,
the credit controller 62 may communicate with the player tracking
server to facilitate identifying the player and downloading gaming
credits contained in a corresponding player tracking account for
use by the player in playing the game. In one embodiment, the
player tracking system may be adapted to identify the player via a
player ID and/or player tracking card, identify the corresponding
player tracking account, and download any gaming credits to the
gaming machine 10 for use by the player. In addition, upon the
conclusion of a gaming session, the player may request the credit
controller 62 to transfer any remaining gaming credits to the
associated player tracking account.
[0058] The input controller 60 is coupled to the user input device
14 to monitor player selections received through the input buttons
40, and accept various instructions and data that a player enters
through the input buttons 40.
[0059] The display controller 64 controls the display device 12 to
display various images on screens preferably by using computer
graphics and image data stored in the database 58. More
specifically, the display controller 64 controls the game symbols
and/or images being displayed in the game such as, for example, the
bingo-type game 22 and/or the roulette-type game 24 being displayed
on the display device 12 by using computer graphics and the image
data.
[0060] FIG. 3 is schematic view of the gaming controller 56. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller 56 includes a display
module 72, a random-number generator (RNG) module 74, a credit
module 76, a player selection module 78, a game module 80, and an
award module 82.
[0061] The display module 72 communicates with the display
controller 64 to control the display device 12 to display various
images on the graphical interface 70 preferably by using computer
graphics and image data stored in the database 58. In the
illustrated embodiment, the display module 72 also displays a
plurality of user selection areas 84 (shown in FIG. 5) within the
graphical interface 70 that correspond to specific operations that
may be initiated by the user. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, the display module 72 displays each game symbol 30
including and associated selection area 84 to enable the user to
select each displayed game symbol to indicate a user's selection of
the corresponding game symbol. Each of the selection areas 84 may
receive a user selection input via the user input device 14.
[0062] The credit module 76 communicates with the credit controller
62 to manage the amount of player's credits available for use in
playing the primary game 22 and the secondary game 24. The credit
module 76 receives a user selection indicative of a request from
the player to play a game including an amount of game credits
associated with the selected game. The credit module 76 sends a
verification message to the credit controller 62 including a game
credit amount associated with the requested game play. The credit
controller 62 determines if sufficient game credits are available
in the corresponding credit meter, sends a verification message to
the credit module 76, and deducts a corresponding amount of game
credits from a corresponding credit meter. If the credit controller
62 determines that the credit meter does not include a sufficient
amount of game credits, the credit module 76 may display a message
to the player requesting the player to provide additional funds to
purchase additional game credits corresponding to the request.
[0063] The game module 80 includes a game program for use in
playing a game based on players selections received from the user
input device 14. The game module 80 retrieves game elements from
the database 58, and causes the display module 72 to display the
game on the display device 12. The game module 80 receives signals
indicative of the player input, generates an outcome of the game
based on the predetermined game rules and the received player
selections, and displays the game outcome on the display device
12.
[0064] The RNG module 74 generates and outputs random numbers to
the game module 80 for use in playing the primary game 22 and/or
the secondary game 24. In addition, the game module 80 may use
random numbers generated by the RNG module 74 to determine if a
winning condition has occurred in the outcome of the primary game
22 and/or the secondary game 24, and to determine whether or not to
provide an award to a player. For example, if the primary game 22
is the bingo-type game 22, the game module 80 uses the RNG module
74 to randomly select one or more bingo cards 86 (shown in FIG. 5)
including a plurality of bingo symbols 88 and/or bingo numbers for
use during the bingo-type game 22. The bingo symbols 88 are
selected from a predefined set of game symbols 30. In addition, the
game module 80 uses the RNG module 74 to randomly select a
plurality of game symbols 30 during a symbol draw operation. The
game module 80 compares the game symbols 30 selected during the
draw operation with the bingo symbols 88 and/or numbers displayed
in the selected bingo cards 86 to determine a number of bingo
symbols 88 and/or numbers matching the randomly selected game
symbols 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the game module 80 uses
the RNG module 74 to randomly select one or more secondary symbols
32 from the plurality of secondary symbols 32 being displayed in
the secondary game 24. In addition, in one embodiment, the game
module 80 may use the RNG module 74 to randomly select the
plurality of secondary symbols 32 being displayed in the secondary
game 24.
[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the player selection module
78 allows a player to mark or "daub" a matching bingo symbol 88
during play of the bingo-type game 22. Moreover, the player
selection module 78 may receive a player's selection from the input
device 14, select the bingo symbols 88 based on the player's
selection, and display a notification, represented as a circle 90,
indicative of the player's selection on the graphical interface 70
to indicate the daubed symbol. In one embodiment, the player
selection module 78 may automatically daub matching bingo symbols
88 during the symbol draw operation, and display the daubed bingo
symbols 88 on the corresponding bingo card 86.
[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the game module 80 includes a
game symbol selection unit 92 and a secondary symbol selection unit
94. The game symbol selection unit 92 is configured to randomly
select drawn symbols 96 from a predefined set of game symbols 30
for use in the bingo-type game 22. For example, in one embodiment,
the game symbol selection unit 92 may conduct a symbol draw
operation including randomly selecting a plurality of drawn symbols
96 from the predefined set of game symbols 30 for use in the
bingo-type game 22 and determine if each randomly selected drawn
symbol 96 matches one or more bingo symbols 88 associated with the
selected bingo cards 86.
[0067] The secondary symbol selection unit 94 is configured to
randomly select one or more secondary symbols 32 from the plurality
of secondary symbols 32 being displayed in the secondary game 24
and determine an outcome of the secondary game 24 as a function of
the selected symbol. In one embodiment, the game module 80 may use
the selected secondary symbol 32 for use in determining the outcome
of the primary game 22. In addition, the secondary symbol selection
unit 94 may also randomly select the plurality of secondary symbols
32 being displayed with the secondary game 24. For example, in one
embodiment, the plurality of secondary symbols 32 may be selected
from the predefined set of game symbols 30. Moreover, the secondary
symbols 32 may be selected from the plurality of bingo symbols 88
being displayed in one or more bingo cards 86 in a corresponding
primary game 22.
[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the game module 80 determines
an outcome of the bingo-type game 22 including any determined
symbol matches and transmits the game outcome to the award module
82. The award module 82 compares the game outcome with winning
combinations stored in a winning combination table to determine if
the symbol matches include a winning outcome that is associated
with a type of award. In addition, the game module 80 may determine
an outcome of the secondary game 24 including the selected
secondary symbol 32 and transmits the outcome of the secondary game
24 to the award module 82. The award module 82 may determine an
award being associated with the selected secondary symbol 32 and
provide the player with the determined award.
[0069] For example, in one embodiment, the award module 82 compares
the selected secondary symbol 32 with a secondary game award table
stored in the database 58 that includes a set of secondary symbols
32 and a plurality of awards being associated with each secondary
symbol 32 contained in the set of secondary symbols 32. The award
module 82 matches the selected secondary symbol 32 with one or more
awards contained in the secondary game award table and provides the
matched award to the player. In general, the term "award" may be a
payout, in terms of credits or money. However, it should be noted
that the term award may also refer to other types of awards,
including, prizes, e.g., meals, show tickets, etc. . . . , as well
as in-game award, such as free games. In one embodiment, the award
module 82 may determine if a triggering condition occurred in the
bingo-type game 22 and provide an additional award such as, for
example, a bonus feature game and/or an enhanced award based on the
triggering condition.
[0070] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 200 that may be used with
the gaming machine 10 for allowing a player to play a bingo-type
game including a secondary game via the gaming machine 10. Each
method step may be performed independently of, or in combination
with, other method steps. Portions of the method 200 may be
performed by any one of, or any combination of, the components of
the gaming machine 10. FIG. 5 is an exemplary entertaining
graphical display of the bingo-type game 22 including the secondary
game 24 that may be played with the gaming machine 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, entertaining graphical displays for
amusement purposes are presented by the display device 12 (shown in
FIG. 1) and may receive input (e.g., selections and/or entries) via
the user input device 14 (shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the
gaming machine 10 may include the mechanical wheel device 38 (shown
in FIG. 6) for use in implementing the method 200.
[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, in the method step 202, the
gaming controller 56 receives a request from a player to play the
primary game 22 and responsively displays the primary game 22 on
the display device 12. In one embodiment, method step 202 may also
include receiving a wager from the player and/or receiving a
request to purchase a play of the game with game credits from a
corresponding credit meter and/or player tracking account.
[0072] In method step 204, the gaming controller 56 displays a game
screen 20 including a game in response to the request received from
the player. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller 56
displays the bingo-type game 22 within the game screen 20. However,
it should be noted that the gaming controller 56 may display any
type of primary game upon which a player could make a wager and/or
purchase a game play including, but not limited to a slot game, a
blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game that
enables the gaming machine 10 to function as described herein. In
general, during method step 204, the gaming controller 56 displays
the bingo-type game 22 including one or more bingo cards 86.
[0073] Each of the bingo cards 86 includes a plurality of bingo
symbols 88 that are selected from a predefined set of game symbols
30. In one embodiment, the gaming controller 56 may select one or
more bingo cards 86 for use in the bingo-type game 22 as a function
of the wager received from the player. In one embodiment, for
example, the gaming controller 56 may allow the player to purchase
one of more bingo cards 86 for use in the primary game 22.
[0074] In method step 206, the gaming controller 56 randomly
selects a plurality of drawn symbols 96 from the predefined set of
game symbols 30. In method step 208, the gaming controller 56
determines if each one of the plurality of drawn symbols 96 matches
a corresponding one of the plurality of bingo symbols 88 being
displayed in the bingo cards 86 and determines an outcome of the
bingo-type game 22 as a function of the matched bingo symbols 88.
For example, in method step 208, the game module 80 conducts a
symbol draw operation, determines, for each bingo card 86, if each
one of the plurality of drawn symbols 96 matches a corresponding
one of the plurality of bingo symbols 88, and determines a
combination formed by each of the matched bingo symbols 88. The
game module 80 may also determine, for each bingo card 86, if the
formed combination is a winning combination and responsively
provide a corresponding award to the player.
[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, each bingo card 86 includes a
plurality of bingo symbols 88 being arranged in a grid 98 including
a plurality of rows 100 and a plurality of columns 102. In one
embodiment, the bingo card 86 may include bingo symbols 88 being
along a plurality of rows 100 and columns 102. For example, a bingo
card 86 may include bingo symbols 88 being arranged in 5 rows 100
and 5 columns 102 in a "5.times.5" arrangement. Alternatively, any
number of bingo symbol 88 may be arranged in any suitable grid
arrangement including, for example, 20 bingo symbols 88 arranged in
a "4.times.5" arrangement, 9 bingo symbols 88 arranged in a
"3.times.3" arrangement, and/or any suitable number of bingo
symbols 88 arranged in any suitable row 100 and column 102
combination to enable the gaming controller 56 to function as
described herein. In addition, the grid 98 may be displayed with a
plurality of shapes such as, for example, a rectangle, a square, a
diamond, a circle, and/or any suitable shape.
[0076] In method step 210, the game module 80 detects a triggering
condition occurring in the primary game 22 and responsively
displays the secondary game 24 on the display device 12. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller 56 displays the
secondary game 24 including the wheel device 34. The wheel device
34 is displayed with a plurality of sections 104 and a plurality of
secondary symbols 32 being associated with each section 104. In one
embodiment, the display module 72 may display the wheel device 34
within the same game screen 20 as the bingo-type game 22. In
another embodiment, the secondary game 24 may be displayed in a
separate game screen and/or with a separate display. In one
embodiment, the secondary game 24 may appear on the display device
12 after the triggering condition has been detected. In another
embodiment, the wheel device 34 may be displayed with the primary
game 22, and may be initiated after detecting the triggering
condition. For example, in one embodiment, the display module 72
may illuminate the wheel device 34 after the triggering condition
has been detected to notify the player of an initiation of the
secondary game 24. In addition, if the gaming machine 10 includes
the mechanical wheel device 38, the display module 72 may
illuminate all or a portion of the mechanical wheel device 38 upon
detecting the triggering condition.
[0077] In one embodiment, the triggering condition may be defined
as a predefined number of drawn symbols 96 being selected during
the symbol draw operation. For example, the game module 80 may
conduct the symbol draw operation including selecting a number of
drawn symbols 96, determine if the number of selected drawn symbols
96 is equal to or greater than a predefined number of drawn symbols
96, and responsively display the secondary game 24.
[0078] The triggering condition may also triggering condition be
defined as one or more drawn symbols 96 being matched with one or
more predefined bingo symbols 88 being displayed with one or more
bingo cards 86. For example, in one embodiment, one or more bingo
cards 86 may include one or more special symbols 106 being
associated with a bingo symbol 88. The game module 80 may detect
the triggering condition if a drawn symbol 96 matches the
corresponding bingo symbol 88 and responsively display the
secondary game 24. In addition, game module 80 may detect the
triggering condition if one or more special drawn symbols 108 are
selected during the symbol draw operation.
[0079] In one embodiment, the triggering condition may include a
predefined combination of matched bingo symbols 88. For example,
during play of the primary game 22, the game module 80 may identify
a pattern being formed by a combination of matched bingo symbols
88, determine if the formed pattern matches a predefined triggering
pattern, and responsively display and/or initiate the secondary
game 24 upon detecting the triggering pattern. In one embodiment,
during the symbol draw operation, the game module 80 may compare
the formed combination with a winning bingo combination and detect
the triggering condition if the formed combination is missing one
or move matched bingo symbols 88 to complete the winning
combination. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the game module 80
may determine a winning bingo combination to include a completed
row of five matched bingo symbols 88. During the symbol draw
operation, the game module 80 may detect the triggering pattern if
the player achieves four out of the five matched bingo symbols 88,
and responsively display and/or initiate the secondary game 24.
[0080] In one embodiment, the gaming controller 56 may allow the
player to place a wager associated with the secondary game 24 to
trigger a round of the secondary game 24. In addition, the gaming
controller 56 may require the player to place a wager associated
with the secondary game 24 before allowing the player to play the
secondary game 24. For example, the game module 80 may detect the
triggering condition upon receiving a second wager that is
associated with the secondary game 24 from the player. In one
embodiment, the game module 80 may display the secondary game 24
including a wager request indicator 110. The wager request
indicator 110 may include an amount of credits required to initiate
the secondary game 24. The player may select the wager request
indicator 110 to initiate the secondary game 24. Upon receiving the
request, the gaming controller 56 deducts a corresponding credit
amount from the credit meter and responsively initiates the
secondary game 24. If the credit meter does not include sufficient
credits to fund the second wager, the gaming controller 56 may
require the player to insert additional funds and/or download
additional credits to the credit meter. In one embodiment, upon
detecting the triggering condition, the gaming controller 56 may
determine if sufficient funds are available in the credit meter to
fund the second wager and display the secondary game 24 only if
sufficient funds are available.
[0081] In method step 212, the gaming controller 56 randomly
selects at least one of the secondary symbols 32 from the set of
secondary symbols 32 being displayed with the wheel device 34 and
provides an award to the player as a function of the selected
secondary symbol 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary
game 24 includes a set of secondary symbols 32 being selected from
the predefined set of game symbols 30. The gaming controller 56
spins and stops the wheel device 34 to select a secondary symbol 32
from the set of secondary symbols 32 and determines an outcome of
the primary game 22 as a function of the selected secondary symbol
32. For example, in one embodiment, the set of secondary symbols 32
may include one or more bingo symbols 88 being displayed with one
or more of the bingo cards 86. During play of the secondary game
24, the gaming controller 56 spins and stops the wheel device 34 to
select a secondary symbol 32, determines if the selected secondary
symbol 32 matches a corresponding one of the plurality of bingo
symbols 88 being displayed with a bingo card 86, and determines an
outcome of the bingo-type game 22 as a function of the matched
secondary symbol 32. For example, upon detecting the triggering
condition, in one embodiment, the gaming controller 56 may identify
the matched bingo symbols 88 being displayed with a bingo card 86,
determine the remaining bingo symbols 88 that may form a winning
bingo combination, and display the secondary game 24 including one
or more bingo symbols 88 that would complete the formation of one
or more winning bingo combinations. In one embodiment, the set of
secondary symbols 32 may include one or more "wild" symbols 112.
Each "wild" symbol 112 may be matched with any bingo symbol 88
being displayed on the bingo cards 86.
[0082] In one embodiment, the secondary game 24 may also include
one or more secondary symbols 32 being associated with a bonus
award. The bonus award may include, but is not limited to
including, an enhanced award, an award multiplier, an instant
winning combination and/or bingo award in the primary game, bonus
games, free spins in the secondary game, prizes, and/or any
suitable award that may be provided to the player.
[0083] In one embodiment, the gaming controller 56 may allow the
player to initiate multiple rounds of the secondary game 24 during
a round of the primary game 22. For example, during player of the
primary game 22, the gaming controller 56 may allow the player to
purchase and/or place several wagers on the secondary game 24 and
initiate an instance of the secondary game 24 after each received
wager. During each subsequent round of the secondary game 24, the
game module 80 may remove each previously selected secondary symbol
32 from the secondary game 24 such that the game module 80 does not
select the same secondary symbol 32 during a subsequent game. For
example, the game module 80 may initiate a first instance of the
secondary game 24, randomly select a first symbol from the set of
secondary symbols 32, and initiate a second instance of the
secondary game 24 with the selected first symbol being removed from
the set of secondary symbols 32. In one embodiment, the display
module 72 may modify an image of the wheel device 34 to remove a
previously selected secondary symbols 32.
[0084] For example, during the first instance, the wheel device 34
may be displayed with a first number of secondary symbols 32 such
as, for example, 8 secondary symbols 32 as shown in FIG. 5. During
the second instance of the secondary game 24, the display module 72
may modify the wheel device 34 to remove a previously selected
secondary symbol 32 and display the wheel device 34 with 7
secondary symbols 32. The display module 72 may also reduce a
corresponding number of sections 104. In one embodiment, the
display module 72 may adjust an image of the previously selected
secondary symbols 32 and/or a corresponding section 104. For
example, the display module 72 may display the previously selected
secondary symbol 32 and/or the corresponding section 104 with a
transparent symbol image and/or a "grayed-out" symbol image to
notify the player that the previously selected secondary symbol 32
is not available during the subsequent rounds secondary game
24.
[0085] In one embodiment, the primary game 22 may include a video
bingo game containing 60 to 90 balls numbered from 1 to 60 or 1 to
90. Once the bingo game balls have been displayed, the roulette
wheel shows the balls remaining in the roulette drum. In the
illustrated embodiment, the secondary game 24 includes a
circle/wheel containing a series of divisions, on which a group of
numeric values or any "concepts" one wishes to "raffle off" are
imprinted/silk-screened/drawn/painted. The circle/wheel has a
stick/peg located in between each section of the circle/wheel. The
pegs create resistance as they hit/rub against a mechanism
containing a flexible blocking pivot that at the same time marks
the dividing line of that number's section. In one embodiment, the
player manually turns the wheel clock-wise; the wheel will spin
until the frictional force of the indicator pivot stops it and
marks one of the sections.
[0086] In one embodiment, the roulette wheel appears when the
player chooses bingo. In addition, the roulette wheel may appear
when the player chooses bingo prizes and medium prizes. Moreover,
the roulette wheel may appear when the player chooses bingo prize,
medium and small prizes. When a player chooses bingo, medium or
small prizes, a price will be indicated for spinning the roulette
wheel. The price of spinning the roulette wheel can vary.
[0087] In one embodiment, the roulette wheel is re-divided into
sections and the previously used numbers disappear. In another
embodiment, the previously used numbers are marked in a grey color
indicating they are "deactivated". If the roulette wheel lands on
this same number, it will spin again.
[0088] In one embodiment, once the roulette wheel appears, the
player sees the price of spinning the wheel. If the player rejects
the price, the roulette wheel disappears and the bingo game
returns. If the player accepts the price and spins the wheel, it
stops on a number that is marked on the roulette wheel, the graphic
figure (only when part of the figure has been marked) and the bingo
card. If the number is not designated for a prize, the player has
the option of spinning again, as long as the player agrees with the
price of spinning the roulette wheel. If the player chooses to
continue playing, the number used in the previous spin will
disappear from the roulette wheel and the wheel is re-divided into
new sections. The roulette wheel continues to re-divide itself upon
each new spin until the player has used all the roulette spins,
decides to quit, or wins a prize.
[0089] In one embodiment, once the roulette wheel appears, the
player sees the price of spinning the wheel. If the player rejects
the price, the roulette wheel disappears and the bingo game
returns. If the player accepts the price and spins the wheel, it
stops on a number that is marked on the roulette wheel, the graphic
figure (only when part of the figure has been marked) and the bingo
card. If the number is not designated for a prize, the player has
the option of spinning again, as long as the player agrees with the
price of spinning the roulette wheel. If the player chooses to
continue, the number used in the previous spin is "deactivated" and
marked "gray". If in the next spin, the roulette wheel lands on the
same number, the player receives a visual and audio notice telling
him/her.
[0090] FIG. 6 is schematic representation of the wheel device 34
for use in displaying the secondary game 24 that may be used with
the gaming machine 10. In one embodiment, the second display 28 may
include a physical wheel device 34 (shown in FIGS. 6-9) for use in
displaying the roulette-type game 24. For example, as shown in FIG.
6, in one embodiment, the wheel device 34 may include a circular
element 36 having a body 114 that includes a substantially circular
outer surface 116, and a plurality of secondary symbols 32 being
displayed along the outer surface 116. In one embodiment, the wheel
device 34 may include a plurality of sections 104 and one or more
secondary symbols 32 being displayed within each section 104. The
secondary symbols 32 may include, but are not limited to including,
game symbols 30 for use in the primary game 22, prize symbols,
credit award symbols indicative of an amount of game credits, award
symbols indicative of a type of award that may be provided to the
player during play of the game, and/or any suitable symbol and/or
image that allow the gaming machine 10 to function as described
herein. In one embodiment, the secondary symbols 32 include images
that are imprinted/silk-screened/drawn/painted on the outer surface
116.
[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel device 34 includes
a support member 118 that is coupled to the cabinet assembly 18 and
is configured to support the wheel body 114 from the cabinet
assembly 18. In addition, the wheel body 114 may be rotatably
coupled to the support member 118 to enable the body 114 to rotate
about a centerline axis 120 of the wheel body 114. Moreover, a
motor assembly (not shown) may be coupled to the support member 118
and/or the wheel body 114 to facilitate rotating the wheel body 114
about the axis 120. In one embodiment, the wheel device 34 may also
include a stick/peg 122 located in between each section 104 of the
wheel body 114 to indicate a division between each section 104, and
a stationary indicator device 124 that is mounted to an outer
surface of the cabinet assembly 18. The indicator device 124 is
positioned with respect to an outer edge 126 of the wheel body 114
and includes a flexible blocking pivot 130 that is configured to
contact the pegs 122 as the wheel body 114 is rotated about the
axis 120, and to mark the section 104 and/or secondary symbol 32 at
which the wheel device 34 stops. In one embodiment, the player may
manually turn the wheel device 34 and rotate the wheel device 34
until the frictional force of the indicator pivot 130 stops the
wheel body 114 and marks one of the sections 104. In another
embodiment, the player may operate a SPIN switch to initiate an
instance of the secondary game 24 including stating the rotation of
the wheel device 34.
[0092] During rotation, the pegs 122 are adapted to create
resistance as they hit/rub against indicator device 124 to slow a
rotation of the wheel body 114 until the wheel body 114 comes to a
stop. During play of the secondary game 24, the motor assembly
being a rotation of the wheel body 114 about the axis 120 until the
wheel body reaches a predefined rotational speed, at which time,
the wheel body 114 freely rotates about the axis 120. The indicator
device 124 contacts each peg 122 to slow the rotation of the wheel
body 114 until the wheel body 114 until the wheel body 114 stops
with the indicator pivot 130 positioned between a pair of dividing
pegs 122. The gaming machine 10 determines the section 104 being
displayed adjacent the indicator device 124 and determines the
secondary symbol 32 being displayed with the corresponding section
104, and provides an award and/or performs an action indicative of
the associated secondary symbol 32.
[0093] FIGS. 7-9 are other schematic representations of the wheel
device 34. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the wheel device 34
may include a needle 132 that is coupled to the support member 118
and is configured to rotate about the axis 120 and stop to indicate
a selected secondary symbol 32 and/or section 104. In one
embodiment, the needle 132 and/or the wheel body 114 may be
configured to rotate. In addition, the needle 132 and/or the wheel
body 114 may be spun in the same direction, e.g. clockwise, or
opposite directions, and stopped to indicate the selected secondary
symbol 32.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the wheel device 34
may include a bar 134 that is coupled to the support member 118 and
extends outwardly from the support member towards the outer edge
126 of the wheel body 114. The bar 134 may also include a tip
section 104 includes viewable window 136 that is positioned with
respect to the secondary symbols 32 to allow the player to view an
underlying secondary symbols 32. The wheel device 34 is configured
to rotate and stop the wheel body 114 to display a selected
secondary symbol 32 through the viewable window 136 to notify the
player of the selected secondary symbol 32.
[0095] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the wheel device 34
may include a plurality of LEDs 138 that are positioned about a
periphery of the wheel body 114 and orientated with respect to each
secondary symbol 32. The wheel device 34 may initiate an LED
display operation and selectively operate each of the LEDs in an
alternative fashion in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise manner
to simulate rotation, stop the LED display operation, and
illuminate the LED 130 positioned adjacent the selected secondary
symbol 32 to notify the player of the selected symbol.
[0096] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an exemplary gaming
system 150 for use in allowing players to play a bingo-type game 22
including a secondary game 24. The gaming system 150 includes a
system controller 16 and one or more gaming devices 152 that are
coupled to the system controller 16. The gaming system 150 may also
include a central display 154 that is coupled to the system
controller 16 for displaying games played on one or more of the
gaming devices 152. In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices
152 include the gaming machine 10. In another embodiment, the
gaming devices 152 may include a personal computer, laptop, cell
phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal data assistant, and/or
any suitable computing device that enables a player to connect to
system controller 16 to play the primary game 22 and the secondary
game 24.
[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming devices 152 and
the system controller 16 are coupled in communication with a local
area network (LAN) 156. Alternatively, the gaming devices 152 and
the system controller 16 may be coupled via a network such as, for
example, an Internet link, an intranet, a WAN, dial-in-connections,
cable modems, wireless modems, and/or ISDN lines. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gaming system 150 includes four gaming
machines 10, which in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 are
arranged in a bank 158, i.e., are arranged together, adjacently. It
should be noted, however, that the gaming system 150 may include
any number of gaming machines 10 that may be arranged in any manner
or positioned within separate areas of a casino floor, and/or
separate gaming establishments such as different casinos.
Furthermore, additional groups of gaming devices 152 may be coupled
to the system controller 16. In one embodiment, the system
controller 16 may be implemented by one of the gaming machines 10.
Alternatively, the system controller 16 may be located remotely
with respect to the gaming machines 10.
[0098] In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller 16
includes the gaming controller 56 and executes a game program to
implement the method 200 and thereby conducts a game in accordance
with the embodiments described herein. In addition, the system
controller 16 may determine if a triggering condition is detected
during one or more primary games 22 being played on one or more
gaming machines 10 and responsively display the secondary game 24
on the central display 154. In one embodiment, the system
controller 16 may detect the triggering condition at one or more
gaming machine 10 and display the secondary game 24 on the
corresponding gaming machine 10.
[0099] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a gaming device 160
for allowing a player to play the bingo-type game 22 including the
secondary game 24, according to an embodiment of the invention. The
gaming device 160 may be a smartphone, a personal computer, laptop,
cell phone, tablet computer, smartphone/tablet computer hybrid,
personal data assistant, and/or any suitable computing device that
displays the graphical interfaces 70 and enables the user to play
the primary game 22 and/or the secondary game 24. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gaming device 160 includes a display
device 162 such as, for example, display device 12, a user input
device 164 such as, for example, user input device 14, and the
gaming controller 56 coupled to the display device 162 and the user
input device 164.
[0100] The gaming controller 56 includes the processor 66 and the
memory device 68 that is coupled to the processor 66. The memory
device 68 stores programs and information used by the processor 66
including, but not limited to, image data for producing images
and/or screens on the display device 162, game indicia, symbol
weights, paytables, and/or winning combination tables which
represent relationships between combinations of random numbers,
combinations of symbol matches and types of awards associated with
the bingo-type game 22 and the secondary game 24.
[0101] The processor 66 includes a computer readable medium, such
as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash
memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash
drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable
device that enables the gaming controller 56 to store, retrieve,
and/or execute instructions and/or data. The gaming controller x in
particular executes a game program to implement the method 200 and
thereby conducts a game in accordance with the embodiments
described herein.
[0102] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
methods and systems of the embodiments of the invention may include
various computer and network related software and hardware, such as
programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, input/output
devices, processors, servers, data communication links, whether
wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving devices. Those skilled
in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of
software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation
of the embodiments of the invention so long as they are provided in
accordance with the methods and systems described herein.
[0103] It should be understood that the embodiments of the
invention may be implemented with one or more gaming machines,
gaming establishments and throughout multiple jurisdictions.
Moreover, the systems and methods according to the embodiments of
the invention are suitable for non-wagering electronic devices
(e.g., arcade games).
[0104] While exemplary systems, methods and applications of the
systems and methods of the invention have been described herein, it
should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative
of exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as some of the
principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be
made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the underlying invention. Therefore, the described
embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the invention
in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives,
modifications and variations which fall within its spirit and scope
as described herein and in the accompanying materials which
describe an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the
invention.
[0105] A controller, computing device, or computer, such as
described herein, includes at least one or more processors or
processing units and a system memory. The controller typically also
includes at least some form of computer readable media. By way of
example and not limitation, computer readable media may include
computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage
media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology that
enables storage of information, such as computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.
Communication media typically embody computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a
modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled
in the art should be familiar with the modulated data signal, which
has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a
manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any
of the above are also included within the scope of computer
readable media.
[0106] The order of execution or performance of the operations in
the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein
is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the
operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless
otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include
additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For
example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a
particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after
another operation is within the scope of aspects of the
invention.
[0107] In some embodiments, a processor, as described herein,
includes any programmable system including systems and
microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC),
application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic
circuits (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of
executing the functions described herein. The above examples are
exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the
definition and/or meaning of the term processor.
[0108] In some embodiments, a database, as described herein,
includes any collection of data including hierarchical databases,
relational databases, flat file databases, object-relational
databases, object oriented databases, and any other structured
collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.
The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to
limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term
database. Examples of databases include, but are not limited to
only including, Oracle.RTM. Database, MySQL, IBM.RTM. DB2,
Microsoft.RTM. SQL Server, Sybase.RTM., and PostgreSQL. However,
any database may be used that enables the systems and methods
described herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle
Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark
of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.;
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation,
Redmond, Wash.; and Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase,
Dublin, Calif.)
[0109] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Other aspects and features of the invention can be
obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the
appended claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It
should also be noted, that the steps and/or functions listed within
the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps
and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any
specific order of operation.
[0110] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
systems and methods described herein may be a standalone system or
incorporated in an existing gaming system. The system of the
invention may include various computer and network related software
and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage
devices, data input/output devices, data processors, servers with
links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and
data transceiving terminals. It should also be understood that any
method steps discussed herein, such as for example, steps involving
the receiving or displaying of data, may further include or involve
the transmission, receipt and processing of data through
conventional hardware and/or software technology to effectuate the
steps as described herein. Those skilled in the art will further
appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are
not vital to the full implementation of the methods of the
invention so long as players and operators thereof are provided
with useful access thereto, either through a mobile device, gaming
platform, or other computing platform via a local network or global
telecommunication network.
[0111] Although specific features of various embodiments of the
invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is
for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the
invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or
claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
* * * * *