Image matching game method and apparatus

• US 6,346,043 B1
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: International Game Technology
• Inventors: Colin, Brian F., Nauman, Jeffry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): White, Carmen D.
• Application Number:
  US09/395,034
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16-20, 463/9, 273/273
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

An image matching gaming method suitable for use as bonus game on a slot machine is provided. The method includes allowing the player to have an active role in selecting the bonus award. The player is allowed to see all the awards associated with possible selection after his choices have been made.

Claims

1. A method of gaming, comprising:

providing a display divided into a plurality of player-selectable areas;

assigning a plurality of first matchable images to said display, each of said first matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a first plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said first matchable images looking alike;

assigning a plurality of second matchable images to said display, each of said second matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a second plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said second matchable images looking alike, each of said second plurality of said player-selectable areas being different than each of said first plurality of player-selectable areas;

assigning a plurality of award images to said player-selectable areas, each of said award images being assigned to one of said player-selectable areas, said first and second matchable images and said award images being assigned so that each of said plurality of player-selectable areas has one of said first and second matchable images and one of said award images associated therewith and so that said first and second matchable images and said award images are not visible prior to selection by a player of said player-selectable areas;

revealing a first one of said matchable images to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said first one of said matchable images;

revealing a second one of said matchable images to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said second one of said matchable images;

continuing to reveal matchable images to the player in response to the player selecting player-selectable areas associated with said matchable images; and

if at least three matchable images revealed in response to the player selecting said player-selectable areas look alike, determining an award amount to be awarded to the player based upon said award images associated with said at least three matchable images.

2. A method of gaming as defined in claim 1 comprising assigning to said player-selectable areas a plurality of matchable images each of which represents an image of a portion of a playing card.

3. A method of gaming as defined in claim 1 comprising determining said award amount by adding together a plurality of award amounts indicated by said award images associated with said at least three matchable images.

4. A method of gaming as defined in claim 1 comprising assigning to each of said first matchable images an award amount falling within a first numeric range and assigning to each of said second matchable images an award amount falling within a second numeric range different than said first numeric range.

5. A method of gaming, comprising:

providing a display divided into a plurality of player-selectable areas;

assigning a plurality of first matchable images to said display, each of said first matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a first plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said first matchable images looking alike;

assigning a plurality of second matchable images to said display, each of said second matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a second plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said second matchable images looking alike, each of said second plurality of said player-selectable areas being different than each of said first plurality of player-selectable areas;

assigning a plurality of award images to said player-selectable areas, each of said award images being assigned to one of said player-selectable areas, said first and second matchable images and said award images being assigned so that each of said plurality of player-selectable areas has one of said first and second matchable images and one of said award images associated therewith and so that said first and second matchable images and said award images are not visible prior to selection by a player of said player-selectable areas;

revealing a first one of said matchable images to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said first one of said matchable images;

revealing a second one of said matchable images to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said second one of said matchable images;

continuing to reveal matchable images to the player in response to the player selecting player-selectable areas associated with said matchable images; and

if at least two matchable images revealed in response to the player selecting said player-selectable areas look alike, determining an award amount to be awarded to the player based upon said award images associated with said at least two matchable images.

6. A method of gaming as defined in claim 5 comprising assigning to said player-selectable areas a plurality of matchable images each of which represents an image of a portion of a playing card.

7. A method of gaming as defined in claim 5 comprising determining said award amount by adding together a plurality of award amounts indicated by said award images associated with said at least two matchable images.

8. A method of gaming as defined in claim 5 comprising assigning to each of said first matchable images an award amount falling within a first numeric range and assigning to each of said second matchable images an award amount falling within a second numeric range different than said first numeric range.

9. A computer-controlled slot machine, comprising:

a plurality of slot machine reels;

a visual display; and

a controller operatively coupled to said display and said slot machine reels, said controller allowing a player to play a bonus award game in response to a particular combination of symbols being displayed on said slot machine reels,

said controller causing said display to be divided into a plurality of player-selectable areas;

said controller assigning a plurality of first matchable images to said display, each of said first matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a first plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said first matchable images looking alike;

said controller assigning a plurality of second matchable images to said display, each of said second matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a second plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said second matchable images looking alike, each of said second plurality of said player-selectable areas being different than each of said first plurality of player-selectable areas;

said controller assigning a plurality of award images to said player-selectable areas, each of said award images being assigned to one of said player-selectable areas, said first and second matchable images and said award images being assigned so that each of said plurality of player-selectable areas has one of said first second matchable images and one of said award images associated therewith and so that said first and second matchable images and said award images are not visible prior to selection by a player of said player-selectable areas;

said controller causing a first one of said matchable images to be revealed to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said first one of said matchable images;

said controller causing a second one of said matchable images to be revealed to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said second one of said matchable images;

said controller continuing to cause matchable images to be revealed to the player in response to the player selecting player-selectable areas associated with said matchable images; and

IF at least two matchable images revealed in response to the player selecting said player-selectable areas look alike, said controller determining an award amount to be awarded to the player based upon said award images associated with said at least two matchable images.

10. A slot machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said controller assigns to said player-selectable areas a plurality of matchable images each of which represents an image of a portion of a playing card.

11. A slot machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said controller determines said award amount by adding together a plurality of award amounts indicated by said award images associated with said at least two matchable images.

12. A slot machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said controller assigns to each of said first matchable images an award amount falling within a first numeric range and assigning to each of said second matchable images an award amount falling within a second numeric range different than said first numeric range.

13. A computer-controlled gaming machine, comprising:

a visual display; and

a controller operatively coupled to said display,

said controller causing said display to be divided into a plurality of player selectable areas;

said controller assigning a plurality of first matchable images to said display, each of said first matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a first plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said first matchable images looking alike;

said controller assigning a plurality of second matchable images to said display, each of said second matchable images being assigned to a respective one of a second plurality of said player-selectable areas, each of said second matchable images looking alike, each of said second plurality of said player-selectable areas being different than each of said first plurality of player-selectable areas;

said controller assigning a plurality of award images to said player-selectable areas, each of said award images being assigned to one of said player-selectable areas, said first and second matchable images and said award images being assigned so that each of said plurality of player-selectable areas has one of said first and second matchable images and one of said award images associated therewith and so that said first and second matchable images and said award images are not visible prior to selection by a player of said player-selectable areas;

said controller causing a first one of said matchable images to be revealed to the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said first one of said matchable images;

said controller causing a second one of said matchable images to be revealed to-the player in response to the player selecting said player-selectable area associated with said second one of said matchable images;

said controller continuing to cause matchable images to be revealed to the player in response to the player selecting player-selectable areas associated with said matchable images; and

if at least two matchable images revealed in response to the player selecting said player-selectable areas look alike, said controller determining an award amount to be awarded to the player based upon said award images associated with said at least two matchable images.

14. A gaming machine as defined in claim 13 wherein said controller assigns to said player-selectable areas a plurality of matchable images each of which represents an image of a portion of a playing card.

15. A gaming machine as defined in claim 13 wherein said controller determines said award amount by adding together a plurality of award amounts indicated by said award images associated with said at least two matchable images.

16. A gaming machine as defined in claim 13 wherein said controller assigns to each of said first matchable images an award amount falling within a first numeric range and assigning to each of said second matchable images an award amount falling within a second numeric range different than said first numeric range.