Abstract:
A method and device for gaming, in which a primary game is played consisting of plural concurrent gaming propositions. The player is free to select which of the plural propositions is to be played, usually by wager magnitude. The primary game leads to a secondary game. The secondary game includes a “mechanism” which periodically changes throughout several wagers. Additionally, the primary and/or secondary game contains at least one outcome that leads to a separate bonus game.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and methodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a method and apparatus for playing a primary game and secondary game in which the two types of games are interrelated and played concurrently. Such a game includes a “mechanism” to periodically modify the gaming environment, so as to produce a varied experience throughout multiple gaming sessions. The opportunity to participate in a separate bonus game is also available.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Technology advances have made it possible to produce a variety of elaborate games that may be played in a casino environment. For the most part, however, most gaming machines are representative of traditional reel-type games, using either actual mechanical reels or video depictions of such reels for display. While the familiarity of reel-type games may initially attract players, an absence of different stimuli prevents players for remaining at any particular game for an extended time period. Additional games offered by such machines, providing active modes of play, would be much more effective at attracting new players and at retaining their interest for prolonged periods.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention is distinguishable over the prior art in that the gaming premise is intuitive and the game is easy to understand. The action of the game and the presence of easily recognizable themes contributes to the excitement and level of stimulation available.  
           [0004]    At its fundamental level, the device according to the present invention provides a primary game that combines conventional reel-type games with secondary BINGO-style games. The reels contain symbols, which may directly provide winning outcomes for the reel game according to a paytable. Additionally, special BINGO ball symbols are present on the reels. Some of these balls animate to display values, which may correspond to the numbered positions on the BINGO card. The number of BINGO balls that animate is dependent on the magnitude of the wager deposited by the player. More balls animate, or are “enabled,” if the player deposits a larger wager. If the value displayed on the ball matches a position on the BINGO card, the space is marked. Play continues, with the object being to cover, on a 5×5 matrix, five spaces in a row, whether diagonally, horizontally, or vertically.  
           [0005]    Filling the BINGO card is time/play dependant. After a predetermined number of BINGO balls have revealed values (or using other criteria, such as number/magnitude of wager), the numbered positions on the BINGO card are “shifted up” one row, with the top row disappearing and a new row of randomly-numbered positions appearing at the bottom. Any marked positions that remain on the card after the move remain marked and available for player enrichment based on achieving “BINGO” (5 in a series). Any values corresponding to marked positions in the disappearing row are returned to the pool of available values and are no longer selected for potential player enrichment. Because less than maximum wagers do not “enable” all BINGO ball to become eligible to move from the reel to the BINGO card, and because the BINGO card “shifts” (changes) a player is encouraged to enable maximum BINGO balls via a maximum wager.  
           [0006]    A separate bonus game is activated by the appearance of special bonus symbols in a particular configuration preferably from the reels but also perhaps from the BINGO card. A new BINGO card appears, containing differently-numbered positions than the card in the secondary game. A multiplicity of BINGO balls are displayed in a matrix, along with a randomly generated number of “spins” available to the player. Each spin causes the balls to animate and display (reveal) values to be matched to the positions on the bonus BINGO card. The object is to match as many positions as possible on this bonus card. After all allotted spins have been exhausted, a bonus award is calculated, and the player may earn multipliers for that award by attaining special outcomes on the bonus card. At the conclusion of the bonus game, the player is returned to the primary game. The BINGO card from the secondary game is in the same state as it was before the beginning of the bonus game.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel device and method for gaming.  
           [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above in which a player has the opportunity to play a secondary game for more chances at success.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above which provides a player with the prospect of engaging in different types of gaming propositions concurrently in one gaming session.  
           [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above which is intuitive to use and has eye appeal.  
           [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above which simulates familiar themes.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above which offers a variety of games for greater stimulation.  
           [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above to allow the player to increase the chance of winning by placing additional wagers, which affect the total number of favorable outcomes available.  
           [0014]    Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for gaming, comprising, in combination: a display, a wagering means and a processor operatively coupled to said display and activated by said wagering means, said display when enabled including a primary game, said primary game including means for modifying said primary game during play and as a function of play.  
           [0015]    Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for gaming, the steps including: receiving a wager, enabling a display upon receipt of the wager, playing a primary game, said primary game having an outcome, applying a subset of said primary game outcomes to a secondary game, and modifying the play of said secondary game as a function of said primary game outcomes.  
           [0016]    These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the methodology according to the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a depiction of a primary game, depicting a primary row and column (RXC) matrix located above a plurality of randomly-numbered positions in a secondary row and column (RXC) matrix.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a depiction of the play of the primary game.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is depiction of the “scrolling up” action on the secondary game.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a depiction of a winning outcome and screen on the secondary game.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a depiction of a bonus game welcome screen.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a depiction of a bonus game screen during play.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral  10  as shown in FIG. 2 is directed to the device according to the present invention.  
         [0026]    In its essence, the device  10  includes a housing  16  which supports a visual display  2 , preferably a video monitor, therewithin. The display  2  may include a window  8  for special messages or for incrementing counting of credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED or other readout  4  for prompting the player and can provide similar verbiage as the window  8  or in lieu thereof, to stimulate the player. The device includes an inlet  6  for the reception therein for coins, currency or the like to auger in the inception of play. A plurality of decision-making buttons  12  are located on the face of the apparatus  10 , preferably below the display  2 , and a pull handle  14  can be used to initiate play as an alternative to supplement the decision-making buttons  12 . A coin hopper  18  or other payment methods, i.e., ticket printers, may be included to effectuate an output of an award due the player. The device  10  may have a top portion  32  with a display thereon having a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include a paytable. A plurality of speakers  34  may be included on the device for aural interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes a processor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for generating outcomes. A card  9 , having a read/write instrumentality  17  thereon, can be read via input  7  as a substitute for or supplement to credit transfers as well as player identification.  
         [0027]    More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 3, greater details with respect to the video display  2  can be explored. The display  2  features a plurality of symbols  20  arranged in a primary row and column (RXC) matrix  21 , corresponding to a primary game. Paylines  22  correspond to areas on the primary matrix  21  in which winning combinations may be located. The primary game is preferably a reel-type game, well known in the art, with multiple paylines, displaying three rows on five reels (a 3×5 matrix) and having 5, 9, 15, or 25 paylines. Below the primary matrix  21 , the display  2  features a plurality of randomly-numbered positions  33  in a secondary row and column (RXC) matrix  30 . This defines a secondary game. Numbers for play by the device are randomly generated for play on the matrix  30 . Preferably, the matrix defines a 5×5 array, correlative of BINGO, and above row one depicts the letters “BINGO,” defining with positions  33  an alphanumeric display.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 1, the flow chart associated with the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be explored. Initially, the display is shown in with a primary game matrix  21  positioned above a secondary game matrix  30 . Initially, a player makes a wager to initialize the game. The player then engages in a gaming proposition on the primary game matrix  21  for which rewards are given for specific outcomes according to a paytable. For example three to five cherries appear on a payline and is recognized as a winning outcome on a paytable. Primary indicia in FIG. 3 use numeral  20 .  
         [0029]    In addition to indicia  20  that produce winning outcomes directly on the primary game matrix  21 , the primary game also contains secondary indicia  24  that only relate to the secondary game, such as BINGO balls each of which has one letter (e.g. B, I, N, G, O) and a numeral. In one form of the invention the ball&#39;s value is hidden. The secondary game is played on the secondary game matrix  30 , representative of a BINGO card. Assume a player makes less than a maximum bet. Each secondary indicium  24  may reveal a value correlative of a possible value on the secondary game matrix  30 , in other words a match. Indicia that are “enabled” by a bet of appropriate magnitude animate after appearing on the primary game matrix  21 , spinning 180° to reveal its a numeric or alphanumeric value leading to an award. If indicia appear that are not “enabled,” a message appears, prompting the player to deposit additional wagers to enable more indicia, and play continues. Thus, the gaming proposition shows the player it is not fully capable of making an award with less than a maximum bet, but still shows the potential benefit to a patron. Preferably for games played with a maximum wager, all indicia are enabled. Games played with less than a maximum wager may have a subset of enabled indicia, or may not enable any indicia at all. Clearly the incentive is to encourage maximum bets.  
         [0030]    If the value displayed on the secondary indicium  24  matches a position  33  on the secondary game matrix  30 , the indicium  24 , or ball, travels from the primary game matrix  21  to the corresponding position  33  on the secondary game matrix  30 , and that corresponding position  33  appears marked, or “covered.” The preferred embodiment features animated BINGO balls  24 , that jump from the primary game to mark and “bounce” off of (covers) the corresponding position on the BINGO card, depicted in FIG. 4. This is roughly analogous to a “conventional” bingo game where a participant “daubs” (marks) a called number on a card. As the player continues play on the primary game, e.g., by making additional wagers, any enabled values on secondary indicia that appear are subsequently applied to the same secondary game. Play of the particular secondary game continues in this manner until a winning outcome appears on the secondary game matrix  30 . As each value is revealed, it is removed from the pool of available values to be shown on subsequent BINGO balls  24 . After a predetermined number of BINGO balls  24 , preferably 12 or 15, have displayed values to the player, the rows on the BINGO card  30  “scroll up” one row, as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the top row disappears and a new bottom row appears. Thus, what heretofore was R 2  becomes R, and “old R”, vanishes. Similarly a “new R 5  appears and old R 5  becomes R 4 , old R 4  becomes R 3 , old R 3  becomes R 2 . Any covered numbers that remain visible on the card  30  remain covered upon movement. Numbers corresponding to positions that disappear are returned to the pool of available values to be displayed on subsequent balls  24 . All revealed values that did not match positions on the card  30  are also returned to the pool of available values at this time. The numbered position  33  that occupies the center space  36  at any given time is a “free” space. When a numbered position  33  moves into the center space  36 , its number is “hidden,” but upon the next row movement, the number reappears and retains any marked or unmarked attribute it had prior to becoming the center space  36 .  
         [0031]    The preferred embodiment contemplates a winning outcome on a 5×5 BINGO matrix  30  to be five covered spaces in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. If a winning outcome is achieved, such as that shown in FIG. 6, the player is awarded a randomly-determined number of credits, a special award screen is shown, and play continues.  
         [0032]    A separate bonus game, whose welcome screen  60  is depicted in FIG. 7, is activated by a special outcome on the primary game, such as three (or more) special symbols in a particular configuration or orientation. Upon activation, a bonus BINGO card  40  appears, which is preferably a 5×5 array with “BINGO” above the top row covering the BINGO card  30  from the earlier, secondary game. New randomly-numbered positions  42  appear on this bonus card  40 , accompanied preferably by festive sound effects. In FIG. 8, the upper display area  55  is next covered by a matrix  50 , preferably a 3×3 matrix, containing BINGO balls  52  of various colors, which correspond to the logo theme on the machine. The bonus display is depicted in FIG. 8. The player is awarded a randomly-generated number of “spins,” which is displayed on a counter  44 . The player starts the bonus game by touching a “spin” button  46  on the display. All of the balls  52  in the matrix spin independently and then reveal a number or alphanumeric identifier. If any ball  52  matches a position on the card  40 , the ball animates to mark, or “cover,” the corresponding position  42  by jumping from the matrix  50  to the bonus card  40  and “bouncing” on the corresponding position  42 , as shown in FIG. 8. The spin counter  44  is then decremented. Play continues in this manner until all of the allotted spins are used. After the last spin is used, the player&#39;s award is totaled. The bonus award is calculated according to the number of covered spaces  42  on the bonus card  40 . Multipliers may be applied to the award for traditional BINGO winning outcomes, such as a 2×multiplier for one BINGO, 5×for two BINGOs, and 10×for three or more BINGOs. Audio and video enhancements are provided concurrently with the awarding of credits. After credits are awarded, the bingo card from the primary game  30  is restored to its pre-bonus state, and the player is returned to the primary game.  
         [0033]    In sum, a reel game exposes the player to a direct payout, and an opportunity to win by filling in a BINGO card below the reels. Symbols which fill the BINGO card come from the reels.  
         [0034]    Not all BINGO symbols automatically transfer. At a minimum they must match. Optimally they are eligible (enabled) only upon wagers above minimum level. Preferably they are all enabled by a maximum bet. Assume a minimum bet entirely excludes the BINGO game. Assume a 2×minimum bet enables all BINGO Balls which are red. Assume a 3×minimum bet enables all red or blue BINGO Balls. Assume a 7×(maximum) bet enables all balls of other colors too (7=the total number of different colors). The incentive is maximum bet particularly when the BINGO card secondary display changes after a certain number of reel outcomes because the player now gets both multi line games and a multi “BALL” game. As above the bonus screen can follow a certain reel outcome (preferred) or BINGO outcome.  
         [0035]    Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.