Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a chance application
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-25
2004-01-13
Sager, Mark (Department: 3714)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a chance application
C463S021000, C273S14300R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06676511
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to gaming methods and apparatus of the slot machine type, and more particularly, to an improved multiple payline gaming method and apparatus wherein a multiplicity of independently driven symbol carrying elements are arranged in a non-orthogonal and/or non-rectangular array and are combined with a plurality of individually selectable paylines intersecting various combination of the elements so as to give a game player various degrees of latitude in choosing potential outcomes available as a result of each gaming proposition. Means may also be provided for allowing selection of special payout opportunities based upon certain positional relationships between various ones of the elements and their displayed symbols.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In typical multiple payline gaming devices such as the slot machines found in many casinos throughout the world, a play field, face plate, video screen or other display means including a plurality of three, four or five reels, or other rotating objects or images thereto is often provided for either real or virtual spin operation. Each such object contains at least one symbol which, upon stoppage of the object's rotation, may align with one or more horizontally or diagonally extending paylines. The symbols aligned along a particular payline, when compared to a pay table, then determine the result of a gambling proposition. For example, if the gaming device is a three reel apparatus wherein, upon stopping of its rotation, each reel reveals three play symbols at a time, the device may contain up to three horizontal paylines and two diagonal paylines where each payline encompasses or extends across three play symbols at a time; i.e., one symbol or space therefor on each reel. Such an array is illustrated in
FIG. 1
of the drawing and includes three reels
10
-
14
of a type usually positioned behind a real or virtual face plate
16
having windows or sets of windows
18
-
22
for revealing one or more reel carried symbols on each reel. The reels are independently driven and stopped at random positions by a reel drive system
23
. The face plate
16
is also inscribed with 3 horizontal paylines
24
-
28
and 2 diagonal paylines
30
and
32
. Note that each payline crosses a window or symbol location (or space therefor) on each reel. Although arguably such apparatus could also include additional diagonal paylines, crossing only two of the reels, no such payline configuration is known to exist. Note that in the illustrated arrangement, it would not be feasible to have vertical paylines, even though three play symbol locations would lie beneath the intersected windows, because the relationship between the three adjacent symbols on each reel is fixed and clearly not a random organization of elements.
Games of the illustrated type do not provide the player with play choices other than that directly associated with the number of coins or credits wagered. Since many players would enjoy the opportunity to make multiple wagers per play proposition, it will be appreciated that the prior art arrangement of reels, play symbols and paylines is rather limiting. There is therefore a need to provide a gaming element arrangement in which substantially more choice is given to the player in terms of selection of paylines and play volatility. This would be advantageous to the player in that his perceived chances of winning would be enhanced. At the same time, such an arrangement would be beneficial to the game proprietor in that it would tend to increase the number of wagers made by a player per play proposition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus comprising: a play screen that displays an arrangement of a plurality of gaming symbols at a plurality of locations along a payline, the locations being arranged in a non-orthogonal array; a player input interface; a comparison device that determines an award based on the arrangement of the gaming symbols displayed along the payline; and a plurality of individually selectable paylines, each of the paylines intersecting a different combination of the locations, whereby depending upon selection of one or more of the paylines, a player can influence the probability of a payout per gaming proposition.
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patent: 4198052 (1980-04-01), Gauselmann
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patent: 4661906 (1987-04-01), DiFrancesco
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patent: 5580053 (1996-12-01), Crouch
patent: 5609524 (1997-03-01), Inoue
patent: 5611535 (1997-03-01), Tiberio
patent: 5697843 (1997-12-01), Manship
patent: 5704835 (1998-01-01), Dietz, II
patent: 5807172 (1998-09-01), Piechowiak
patent: 5851148 (1998-12-01), Brune et al.
patent: 6004208 (1999-12-01), Takemoto
patent: 6220959 (2001-04-01), Holmes, Jr. et al.
patent: 6241607 (2001-06-01), Payne et al.
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patent: 95/08799 (1996-03-01), None
European Search Report for European Application No. 99/21514 dated Oct. 10, 2002.
Nicely Mark C.
Payne Tony
Marshall & Gerstein & Borun LLP
Sager Mark
Silicon Gaming-Nevada
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