Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a chance application
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-26
2001-08-21
Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a chance application
C463S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277025
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to a game of chance and a device for playing the game. More particularly, the invention relates to a variation on the game of Keno, providing novel, graphically oriented methods of play and means for automating the play and calculating the player's payout.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of gaming machines have been developed to provide electronic versions or variations on the casino game known as Keno. U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,076 issued to Komori incorporates a video display and a light pen to select the numbered Keno squares. A display device for illustrating the progress of the selection of random numbers in a given game is included.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,024 issued to Simunek, also includes a video display for the Keno game board and further includes slot-machine type “reels” that replace certain numbers on the game board that spin and offer the possibility of additional payouts based on the result of the final position of the spinning reels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,651, 735, issued to Baba provide an electronic means to play a variant Keno game in which a first selection of random Keno balls for a first comparison to the balls selected by the player are followed by a second selection of random Keno balls from those not previously randomly selected. The scores from both rounds are added to determine the player's payout. U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,480 issued to Bolan discloses a handheld electronic device capable of storing a number of Bingo cards for use during play with letter
umber combinations selected during play of the game being manually entered through the devices keyboard. Such a device could be adapted to the game of Keno. U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,895 issued to Pressman et aL is a concealed pattern detection game employing a rectangular display screen and pen-like indicating device for attempting to deduce the concealed pattern. The object is to follow the hidden pattern with the pen device. A similar device could be adapted to selecting square or numbers in a Keno-type game.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for Keno-type gaming machines are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide for a new and entertaining variant on the Keno game. It is a further objective to provide this game in a format that is fast and easy to play while holding the interest of the player. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide the above-described capabilities in an inexpensive and durable device that is capable of extended duty cycles and that may be easily repaired and maintained. It is yet a further objective to provide a variety of different games and payouts using the same device.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a Keno-type game of chance with variations incorporating a means for graphical, automated play and calculation of the player's payout.
The game includes a playing board. The board is divided into a grid of adjoining geometric figures. This grid has at least three borders. Each of these figures has at least three sides.
A means for randomly selecting a predetermined number of these figures is provided. Also provided is a means for identifying groupings of the selected figures. These groupings include figures having at least one side in common with another figure in the grouping. A means for identifying and displaying the grouping containing the largest number of selected figures is also included. A means for determining a payout associated with the displayed grouping is provided as is a means for crediting the payout to a player.
In a further variation of the invention the geometric figures are rectangles.
In another variation the means for randomly selecting a predetermined number of figures includes a means for sequentially displaying the selected figures. A means for identifying and displaying a first grouping containing at least a minimum number of figures is also provided. Also included is a means for canceling the display of the first grouping when a subsequent grouping is identified that contains a greater number of figures than the first grouping. A means for displaying the subsequent grouping is provided. A means for identifying and displaying further groupings until the predetermined number of selected figures has been displayed is also included in this variation. Each of the further groupings includes a greater number of figures than the previously displayed groupings. Finally, a means for canceling the display of the previously displayed groupings is included in this variation.
In yet another variation of the invention, the identification of the randomly selected figures is in a first color, the identification of a grouping having at least the minimum number of figures is displayed in a second color and the identification of a grouping having at least the minimum number of figures eligible for a payout is displayed in a third color. The second color display is canceled upon the display of a larger grouping or of the third color.
In still another variation of the invention, a grouping may extend beyond one of the borders of the grid, wrapping around a second border of the grid and still be considered as a single grouping.
In a different variation of the invention, an additional payout is associated with any grouping extending between adjacent or opposite borders.
In a further variation of the invention, the game includes a playing board. The board is divided into a grid of adjoining geometric figures. This grid has at least three borders. Each of these figures has at least three comers.
A means for randomly selecting a predetermined number of these figures is provided. Also provided is a means for identifying groupings of the selected figures. These groupings include figures having at least one corner and no sides in common with another figure in the grouping. A means for identifying and displaying the grouping containing the largest number of selected figures is also incorporated. A means for determining a payout associated with the displayed grouping is provided as is a means for crediting the payout to a player.
In an additional variation of the invention, the regular geometric figures are rectangles.
In yet another variation, the means for randomly selecting a predetermined number of figures includes a means for sequentially displaying the selected figures. A means for identifying and displaying a first grouping containing at least a minimum number of figures is also provided. Also included is a means for canceling the display of the first grouping when a subsequent grouping is identified that contains a greater number of figures than the first grouping. A means for displaying the subsequent grouping is provided. A means for identifying and displaying further groupings until the predetermined number of selected figures has been displayed is also included in this variation. Each of the further groupings includes a greater number of figures than the previously displayed groupings. Finally, a means for canceling the display of the previously displayed groupings is included in this variation.
In a still further variation of the invention, the identification of the randomly selected figures is in a first color, the identification of a grouping having at least the minimum number of figures is displayed in a second color and the identification of a grouping having at least the minimum number of figures eligible for a payout is displayed in a third color. The second color display is canceled upon the display of a larger grouping or of the third color.
In still an additional variation of the invention, a grouping may extend beyond one of the borders of the grid, wrapping around a second border of the grid and still be considered as a single grouping.
In a still different variation of the invention, an additional payout is associated with any gr
Beehler & Pavitt
Belasco David A.
Cheng Joe H.
Nguyen Kim T.
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