Patent Publication Number: US-2006019737-A1

Title: Computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a progressive game

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 093122096, filed on Jul. 23, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a progressive game that includes main and bonus games.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Computer-implemented methods and apparatus for playing bingo are known in the art.  FIG. 1  illustrates a graphical user interface  10  generated by a conventional gaming apparatus for playing bingo. The interface  10  includes a virtual bingo card  11  and an odds table  12 . The virtual bingo card  11  includes a numerical bingo pattern in the form of a 5×5 numerical matrix, each element of which is randomly selected by the gaming apparatus. The odds table  12  includes fifteen rows  121  of five number spaces. Each of the rows  121  of the odds table  12  is associated with a corresponding payout multiplier, such as ×20 (20 times payout), ×10 (10 times payout), ×5 (5 times payout), etc., that is marked at a left end thereof. When playing the bingo game, a bingo number is randomly drawn, one of the number spaces of the odds table  12  is filled with the drawn bingo number according to the drawing sequence of the bingo number, and the virtual bingo card  11  is marked accordingly when the drawn bingo number is present in the numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card  11 . The above procedure is repeated until a predefined winning bingo pattern, such as a complete row of marked bingo numbers, is formed on the virtual bingo card  11 . The gaming apparatus then determines a payout amount based on a bet placed beforehand by the player and the payout multiplier associated with one of the rows  121  of the odds table  12  containing a latest one of the bingo numbers that was drawn and that resulted in the formation of the winning bingo pattern on the virtual bingo card  11 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the bet placed beforehand by the player is 5 points, the latest bingo number that resulted in the formation of the winning bingo pattern is “70” and is contained in the third row  121  of the odds table  12 , and the payout multiplier associated with the third row  121  of the odds table  12  is ×5. The payout amount is thus equal to 5×5 or 25 points.  
      The aforesaid gaming apparatus is disadvantageous in that it is monotonous and lacks variety, and is unable to keep the interest of a player who has been playing the bingo game for some time.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a progressive game so as to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.  
      According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game, comprising:  
      a) playing a main game, the main game being associated with a predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination;  
      b) awarding the player one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination when the outcome of the main game played in step a) matches the first winning criteria;  
      c) repeating steps a) and b) until the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination; and  
      d) playing a bonus game when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit, and a game processor coupled to the user input unit and the display unit. The computer program product configures the gaming apparatus for playing a progressive game, and comprises a computer readable storage medium comprising:  
      a first code that directs the game processor to allow the player to play a main game, the main game being associated with a predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination;  
      a second code that directs the game processor to award the player one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination when the outcome of the main game matches the first winning criteria;  
      a third code that directs the game processor to repeat execution of the first and second codes until the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination; and  
      a fourth code that directs the game processor to allow the player to play a bonus game when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.  
      According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus that comprises a user input unit, a display unit, a game processor coupled to the user input unit and the display unit, and a computer program product for configuring the gaming apparatus to perform consecutive steps of a computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game. The computer-implemented method comprises:  
      a) playing a main game, the main game being associated with a predetermined first prize combination that includes a set of virtual prizes, and being further associated with a set of predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination;  
      b) awarding the player one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination when the outcome of the main game played in step a) matches the first winning criteria;  
      c) repeating steps a) and b) until the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination; and  
      d) playing a bonus game when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a graphical user interface generated by a conventional gaming apparatus for playing bingo;  
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a system block diagram of the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment;  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart to illustrate how a main game is played in the preferred embodiment of a computer-implemented method for playing a progressive game according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a graphical user interface generated by the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment when playing the main game;  
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart to illustrate how a virtual prize is awarded in the computer-implemented method of the preferred embodiment;  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a graphical user interface generated by the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the computer-implemented method when awarding the virtual prize;  
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart to illustrate how the progressive game can be terminated upon awarding of a payout amount according to the computer-implemented method of the preferred embodiment;  
       FIG. 9  is a graphical user interface generated by the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment upon collection of a set of the virtual prizes by the player;  
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart to illustrate how a bonus game is played in the computer-implemented method of the preferred embodiment;  
       FIG. 11  is a graphical user interface generated by the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment while selecting a bonus prize to be awarded to the player; and  
       FIG. 12  is a graphical user interface generated by the gaming apparatus of the preferred embodiment upon selection of the bonus prize to be awarded. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus  2  according to the present invention is shown to comprise a user input unit  21 , a display unit  23 , a game processor  22  coupled to the user input unit  21  and the display unit  23 , and a proprietary computer program product  20  that configures the gaming apparatus  2  for playing a progressive game.  
      The user input unit  21  includes a BET key  24 , a CHANGE key  25 , a CONFIRM key  26  and a PAYOUT key  27 .  
      The game processor  22  is the core of the gaming apparatus  2 . In this embodiment, the game processor  22  is disposed on a game motherboard (circuit board). The computer program product  20  includes a computer readable storage medium (i.e., a memory unit) that is also disposed on the game motherboard and that comprises program codes for configuring the gaming apparatus for playing the progressive game. When the gaming apparatus  2  is powered on, the game processor  22  executes the program codes for performing the following steps of the computer-implemented method for playing the progressive game according to this invention:  
      Step a): Playing a main game  
      In this embodiment, the main game of the progressive game is a bingo game. Referring to step  41  in  FIG. 4  and to  FIG. 5 , the game processor  22  enables the display unit  23  to generate a graphical user interface  200 . The graphical user interface  200  includes a virtual bingo card  28  and a door frame  40 . The virtual bingo card  28  includes a numerical bingo pattern in the form of a 5×5 numerical matrix, each element of which is randomly selected by the gaming apparatus. The door frame  40  includes left and right jambs  401 ,  402  and a strip décor  403  interconnecting top ends of the jambs  401 ,  402 . The left jamb  401  is formed with a pair of prize windows  404 ,  405 , whereas the right jamb  402  is formed with a pair of prize windows  406 ,  407 . The strip décor  403  is formed with a bonus slot  408 . Moreover, an animated object, which is a virtual dancer  409  in this embodiment, is disposed in the door frame  40  between the left and right jambs  401 ,  402 .  
      The graphical user interface  200  further includes an odds table  29 . The odds table  29  includes fifteen rows of five number spaces. Each of the rows of the odds table  29  is associated with a corresponding payout multiplier that is marked at a left end thereof. The payout multipliers decrease in a descending order of the rows. The graphical user interface  200  further includes a smaller virtual bingo card  30  having the same content as the virtual bingo card  28 , a remainder column  31  showing remaining points of the player, a payout column  32  showing a payout amount to be awarded to the player, and a bet column  33  showing a bet placed by the player.  
      Next, referring to step  42  in  FIG. 4 , the player activates the main game by dropping in coins, a game card (prepaid card) or any other manner authorized by the gaming apparatus  2 . Thereafter, referring to step  43  in  FIG. 4 , the player places abet (such as 5 points) through the BET key  24 , operates the CHANGE key  25  to change the virtual bingo card  28 , and operates the CONFIRM key  26  to select the desired virtual bingo card  28 . Subsequently, referring to step  44  in  FIG. 4 , a winning area of the odds table  29 , such as the tenth row of the odds table  29 , is defined with reference to the bet placed by the player. Then, referring to step  45  in  FIG. 4 , a predefined winning bingo pattern, for instance, the four corners of the numerical bingo pattern, is shown on each of the virtual bingo cards  28 ,  30 .  
      Subsequently, referring to step  46  in  FIG. 4 , the game processor  22  of the gaming apparatus  2  randomly draws a bingo number ranging from 1 to 75, fills in one of the number spaces of the odds table  29  with the drawn bingo number according to the drawing sequence of the bingo number, and marks the virtual bingo card  28  accordingly when the drawn bingo number is present in the numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card  28 . At the same time, referring to step  47  in  FIG. 4 , the game processor  22  constantly checks whether the predefined winning bingo pattern is formed on the marked virtual bingo card  28 . Step  46  is repeated until the predefined winning bingo pattern is formed on the marked virtual bingo card  28 .  
      When the predefined winning bingo pattern is formed, the player is required to operate the CONFIRM key  26  in step  48  in  FIG. 4  to confirm the presence of the winning condition in accordance with game rules established in certain places. If the player presses the CONFIRM key  26  before a preset period (such as five seconds) expires, the flow goes to  FIG. 6 . Otherwise, the flow goes to  FIG. 8 .  
      In step  61  in  FIG. 6 , with reference to  FIG. 7 , three rows of the numerical bingo pattern of the virtual bingo card  28  are replaced by a multi-liner pattern to indicate the outcome of the main bingo game. Note, however, that the content of the smaller virtual bingo card  30  remains unchanged.  
      The multi-liner pattern includes a plurality of distinct images, such as a crown, a necklace, a bracelet, a belt, a figurine, a specter, etc. In this instance, the game processor  22  selects the crown, the necklace, the bracelet and the belt to form a set of virtual prizes of a first prize combination.  
      Step b): Awarding of a virtual prize  
      After step  61 , the flow goes to step  62  in  FIG. 6 , where the game processor  22  determines whether the row that contains the winning bingo number is located in the predefined winning area of the odds table  29 . In the example of  FIG. 7 , since the winning bingo number “14” is contained in the tenth row of the odds table  29 , which is the predefined winning area, the game processor  22  deems the outcome of the main bingo game to match predefined first winning criteria for winning one of the first virtual prizes in the first prize combination.  
      When the main game outcome matches the first winning criteria, the flow goes to step  63  in  FIG. 6 , where the game processor  22  awards the player a randomly selected one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the awarded virtual prize is put on the virtual dancer  409 . In the preferred embodiment, because the player received a virtual prize, the player is no longer awarded with a payout amount initially acquired in the main bingo game. Then, referring to step  64  in  FIG. 6 , the game processor  22  determines whether the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination. In the affirmative, the flow proceeds to  FIG. 10  for playing a bonus game. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to  FIG. 8 .  
      In step  62 , when the game processor  22  determines that the main game outcome does not match the first winning criteria, the flow goes to step  65  in  FIG. 6 , where the game processor  22  calculates a payout amount based on the bet placed beforehand by the player and the payout multiplier associated with the row of the odds table  29  that contained the winning bingo number. The flow then proceeds to  FIG. 8 .  
      Referring to step  81  in  FIG. 8 , the player is prompted to operate the CONFIRM key  26  so that the points in the payout column  32  are added to the points in the remainder column  31 . Then, referring to step  82  in  FIG. 8 , the player is further prompted whether or not to terminate the progressive game. If it is desired to terminate the progressive game, the points in the remainder column  32  are printed out or stored in the game card of the player, and the game is ended. In the negative, the flow goes back to  FIG. 4 .  
      Step c): Repeating Steps a) and b) until the Player has Collected All of the Virtual Prizes in the First Prize Combination  
      When the flow goes back to  FIG. 4 , a new bingo game session begins. Thereafter, based on the outcome of the new bingo game, the game processor  22  determines whether or not to award the player one of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination in the manner described hereinabove. Note that, since the virtual prize awarded in step b) is randomly selected, it is possible that that the player will be awarded with a virtual prize that he or she had already collected. As a result, the player may have to play a large number of bingo game sessions before he or she is able to collect all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination.  
      Step d): Playing a bonus game  
      As shown in  FIG. 9 , playing of the bonus game begins when the player has collected all of the virtual prizes in the first prize combination, i.e., when the virtual dancer  409  has put on all of the virtual prizes (i.e., the crown, necklace, bracelet and belt) in the first prize combination.  
      Referring to step  91  in  FIG. 10 , when the bonus game begins, the bonus prizes included in a second prize combination are arranged among the prizes windows  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407  of the jambs  401 ,  402 . In this embodiment, the bonus prizes are predetermined points, such as 20, 50, 5 and 100 points. Then, referring to step  92  in  FIG. 10 , the virtual dancer  409  begins to dance and, as shown in  FIG. 11 , points to different ones of the prize windows  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407  using her hands within a predetermined time period, such as five seconds. Subsequently, in step  93  in  FIG. 10 , it is determined if the predetermined time period has expired. In the affirmative, the flow goes to step  94  in  FIG. 10 , where the virtual dancer  409  stops dancing, as best shown in  FIG. 12 . At this time, a selected one of the prize windows  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407  is that pointed to by the virtual dancer  409  at an instant the predetermined time period expired. Thereafter, with reference to step  95  in  FIG. 10 , the game processor  22  determines whether the prize window selected by the virtual dancer  409  is not empty, which is referred to herein as second winning criteria for winning one of the bonus prizes in the second prize combination. If the selected prize window is empty, the bonus game is terminated, and the flow proceeds to  FIG. 8 . Otherwise, with reference to step  96  in  FIG. 10 , the points (in this instance,  20 ) contained in the selected prize window (in the instance, the prize window  404 ) are awarded to the player, the accumulated awarded bonus points are shown on the bonus slot  408  and, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the selected prize window  404  is emptied. The flow then proceeds to step  97  in  FIG. 10 , where the game processor  22  determines whether all of the prize windows  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407  had been emptied. In the affirmative, since all of the bonus prizes in the second prize combination had been awarded to the player, the bonus game is terminated, and the flow proceeds to  FIG. 8 . Otherwise, the flow goes back to step  92  in  FIG. 10  so as to give the player a chance to win another one of the bonus prizes.  
      Therefore, the first time the virtual dancer  409  selects one of the prize windows  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407 , the player is guaranteed to win one of the bonus prizes. However, since the selected prize window  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407  will be emptied subsequently, the probability of winning another one of the bonus prizes will be lowered accordingly.  
      While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.