Symbol fall game method and apparatus

• US 5,769,716 A
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Game Technology
• Original Assignee: International Game Technology
• Inventors: Bansemer, Mark, Liao, Evelyn, Breckner, Robert, Saffari, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US08/720,490
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 273/143 R, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/138 A, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3265 Influencing the position of stopped moving members to achieve a winning arrangement, e.g. nudging, shuffling, holding
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A game which involves a player positioning sequentially-provided symbols onto a plurality of pre-defined positions is provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of columns, each with a plurality of positions is displayed, symbols are randomly presented and displayed to the user who may then select into which column to place the symbol. The symbol is placed in the lowest vacant position of the selected column and the next randomly selected symbol is presented. In one embodiment, if the user does not select the column in a predetermined time period, the column is randomly selected for the user. After some or all positions are filled, the arrangement of symbols is evaluated to determine whether any collection or alignment of symbols corresponds to pre-defined winning collection or alignment.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented process for playing a game by a user to achieve a game outcome, the computer having a memory and coupled to at least a first user input device, the method comprising:

storing, in memory, an indication of symbol alignments that are winning alignments;

displaying, on a display device coupled to said computer, a game region defining a plurality of positions in a plurality of vertical columns, including initially displaying a plurality of unoccupied positions in each of said vertical columns wherein no symbols are displayed in the unoccupied positions;

displaying at least a first symbol on said display device wherein said first symbol is initially displayed in an area remote from any of said plurality of positions;

controlling said display device to move said symbol to one of said plurality of positions, said one position being a lowermost unoccupied position in a column selected using the status of said user input device;

positioning a plurality of symbols over at least some of said plurality of positions;

outputting an indication of a win if an alignment of symbols corresponds to a winning alignment; and

wherein the skill with which said user provides input via said user input device affects the outcome of the game.

2. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said game region is configured to have an appearance on said display device similar to a traditional game.

3. A process, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said traditional game is a slot-machine game.

4. A process, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of positions are located in a plurality of vertical columns.

5. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of positioning is performed only if said status of said user input device indicates that said user has used said user input device.

6. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein, following display of a symbol, said computer positions said symbol over a randomly-selected unoccupied position if said user does not provide input within a predetermined period.

7. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined period may be selected by said user.

8. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some symbols are moved over a position which is randomly selected by the computer independently of any input from said user.

9. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position is randomly selected.

10. A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of positions define a plurality of pay lines and wherein symbols aligned along any one of said pay lines are eligible as winning alignments only if said user has selected at least said one pay line.

11. A computer-implemented process for playing a game by a user to achieve a game outcome, the computer having a memory, the method comprising:

a) storing, in memory, an indication of symbol alignments that are winning alignments;

b) displaying, on a display device coupled to said computer, a game region defining a plurality of positions wherein said plurality of positions define a plurality of pay lines and a plurality of vertical columns in order to have an appearance similar to a slot-machine game, initially displaying a plurality of unoccupied positions in each of the vertical columns wherein no symbols are displayed in the unoccupied positions and storing an indication of selected pay lines in response to first user input;

c) displaying at least a first symbol on said display device wherein said first symbol is initially displayed in an area remote from any of said plurality of positions;

d) controlling said display device to move said symbol to one of said plurality of positions, said one position being a lowermost unoccupied position in a column selected using second input from said user, if said second input is provided within a predetermined period, and wherein otherwise said computer positions said symbol in the lowermost unoccupied position of a randomlyselected non-full column;

e) repeating steps c and d until one fewer than said first number of columns has all positions occupied by a symbol;

f) placing randomly selected symbols in remaining non-filled positions;

g) outputting an indication of a win if an alignment of symbols corresponds to a winning alignment wherein symbols aligned along any one of said pay lines are eligible as winning alignments only if said user has selected at least said one pay line by said first input.

12. A process, as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least some symbols are moved over a position which is randomly selected by the computer independently of any input from said user.

13. A process, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first input is permitted only if said user has deposited a first wager.

14. A process, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second input is provided using a button panel.

15. A process, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second input is provided using a touch screen input device.

16. Apparatus for playing a game by a user to achieve a game outcome using a computer, the apparatus comprising:

memory, coupled to said computer, for storing at least an indication of symbol alignments that are winning alignments;

a display device, coupled to said computer, and controlled by said computer to display a game region defining a plurality of positions in a plurality of vertical columns, said display controlled to initially display a plurality of unoccupied positions in each of said vertical columns wherein no symbols are displayed in the unoccupied positions;

means for controlling said display device to display at least a first symbol on said display device wherein first symbol is initially displayed in an area remote from any of said plurality of positions;

means for controlling said display device to move said symbol to one of said plurality of positions, said one position being a lowermost unoccupied position in a column selected using input from said user;

means for controlling said display device to position a plurality of symbols over at least some of said plurality of positions;

means for outputting an indication of a win if an alignment of symbols corresponds to a winning alignment; and

wherein the skill with which said user provides said input affects the outcome of the game.