Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a chance application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-10-02
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a chance application
C463S016000, C273S237000, C273S242000, C273S243000, C273S12100R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296568
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic games such as wagering games or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the earliest prize devices was the bagatelle or drop case. The game is played by dropping a ball or coin into a case which contains an arrangement of pins. The ball or coin moves through the case, striking the pins as it falls. In doing so, the path of the ball or coin is disrupted and randomized. Upon reaching the bottom of the case, the ball or coin falls into a compartment, the location of which indicates the prize won by the player.
For example, Buchanan (U.S. Pat. No. 503,942) discloses a device which uses a series of pins to indiscriminately guide a coin into a series of compartments located at the bottom of a case. Similarly, Breyfogle (U.S. Pat. No. 1,053,473) discloses a vending machine in which an arrangement of pins randomizes the path of a coin as it falls toward a series of slots. The slot into which the coin is finally deposited determines the prize the player has won.
However, these games suffer from some shortcomings. First, the gambling industry is well aware that attrition rate of games can be high if the player is not stimulated. In the games disclosed by the prior art, the playing surface never changes and there are no chances to progress toward a bonus or win a large payoff. Thus, a player will tend to tire of the game quickly.
Further, the gambling industry requires precise figures as to the player's chances of winning. Similarly, the gambling industry needs the ability to change the odds of winning to stimulate the players and to control the amount of payoff. However, the prior art games are random and indiscriminate in their outcomes and give no control over the odds of winning to the operator.
Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a need in the art for a novel drop case game which is more exciting and stimulating to the player and gives the operator accurate winning percentages while allowing the operator the flexibility and power to change the winning percentages as the operator desires.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is, set forth according to the present invention a method and device for a player to play a wagering game which includes a processor and a display controlled by the processor to display a pyramid or triangular shaped game board having an apex, a base and a plurality of pin locations depicted on the game board. In the preferred embodiment the pins are arranged in horizontal rows extending from the apex to the base. Also displayed at the base is a plurality of locations each of which defines an outcome for the game. Also according to the preferred embodiment at least one of the pins on the game board is designated as a horizontal shifting pin or point.
Means are provided for the player to make a wager to play the game and to prompt play. When play is prompted, a game character such as a point of light or an animated figure is displayed to fall from the apex to one of the locations at the base. As the game character encounters pins, its path is deflected to one side or other based upon a random selection of either a right or a left deflection. If the character encounters a lateral shift pin, the game character path is diverted or shifted horizontally. Ultimately, the character reaches a base location to define an outcome for the game. Certain of the locations are designated as winning outcomes for which the player receives an award with the remainder designated as losing outcomes for which the player's wager is lost.
According to further embodiments of the game, a plurality of shift pins may be provided and randomly positioned for each game. Additionally certain pins may be designated as automatic losers whereby if they are encountered by the game character as it falls to the base terminates the further progression of the game character to the base. Still further, a pin in the game board display may be designated as a second game character generator. If this pin is encountered by the game character, a second game character is initialized and falls with the first game character to the base whereby two outcomes are obtained.
Additionally the player may be permitted to designate certain outcomes as bonus outcomes which, if that location is obtained by a game character, results in a bonus to the player.
REFERENCES:
patent: 503942 (1893-08-01), Buchanan
patent: 513224 (1894-01-01), Young
patent: 1053473 (1913-02-01), Breyfogle
patent: 3375912 (1968-04-01), Weitzman
patent: 4711453 (1987-12-01), Saint Yve
patent: 5016879 (1991-05-01), Parker et al.
patent: 5120060 (1992-06-01), Parker et al.
patent: 5413342 (1995-05-01), Kaplan
patent: 5540441 (1996-07-01), Ilan et al.
patent: 6139013 (2000-10-01), Pierce et al.
Cherubin Yveste G.
Harrison Jessica J.
Quirk & Tratos
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