METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AND PRESENTING OUTCOMES AT A GAMING DEVICE

• US 20060252486A1
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,914,376 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A gaming device provides outcomes to the player of the gaming device by positioning symbols within a scrolling matrix. If the symbols position within the scrolling matrix matches a pay event outcome, the player may receive a benefit. In a first embodiment, the symbols are generated from the symbols of a basic game such as the symbols on a slot machine reel. The symbols are moved from the slot machine reel to the matrix.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

conducting game play at a gaming device by;

generating a first plurality of symbols;

moving at least a second plurality of symbols from the first plurality of symbols to a matrix;

positioning each of the second plurality of symbols within the matrix;

generating at least one outcome based on the positioning;

awarding a payout based on the at least one outcome;

scrolling the matrix, such that filled portions of the matrix are no longer usable in game play.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of symbols comprises a subset of the first plurality of symbols.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein generating the first plurality of symbols comprises selecting symbols from symbols displayed on slot machine reels.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein conducting game play at the gaming device comprises conducting a basic game and a meta-game.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein generating the first plurality of symbols comprises generating the first plurality of symbols as part of the basic game.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein positioning each of the second plurality of symbols within the matrix forms part of the meta-game.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising awarding a payout for the basic game based on outcomes of the basic game.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising awarding a bonus payout for the meta-game based on positions of one or more symbols within the matrix.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein scrolling the matrix, such that filled portions of the matrix are no longer usable in game play comprises scrolling the matrix off the bottom of a display.

10. The method of claim 8 comprises awarding a bonus payout if symbols are arranged in a predetermined row or diagonal manner.

11. A gaming device comprising:

a display;

a user interface; and

a controller operatively coupled to the display and the user interface and adapted to;

generate a first plurality of symbols;

present the first plurality of symbols on the display;

select a second plurality of symbols from the first plurality of symbols;

position the second plurality of symbols in a matrix on the display;

determine if a player is due a payout based on the position of the second plurality of symbols within the matrix; and

scroll the matrix in such a manner that symbols within the second plurality of symbols are removed from the display.

12. The gaming device of claim 11 wherein the display comprises a first display and a second display.

13. The gaming device of claim 12 wherein the controller adapted to present the first plurality of symbols on the display is adapted to present the first plurality of symbols on the first display.

14. The gaming device of claim 11 wherein the controller is further adapted to provide a basic game and a meta-game to a player through the use of the symbols.

15. The gaming device of claim 11 wherein the controller adapted to present the first plurality of symbols on the display does so by presenting symbols as part of a reel in a slot machine style game.

16. The gaming device of claim 11 wherein the gaming device comprises a mobile terminal.

17. A method comprising:

in a basic game, producing a plurality of symbols;

determining a first outcome for the basic game based on at least a portion of the plurality of symbols;

moving a subset of the plurality of symbols to a matrix;

positioning the subset of the plurality of symbols within the matrix;

determining an outcome of a meta-game based on the positioning; and

moving the matrix as symbols fill the matrix.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein moving the matrix comprises scrolling the matrix.