Pattern reverse keno game method of play

• US 6,398,644 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Vancura, Olaf, Perrie, Kenneth Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clayton, Sheila
• Application Number:
  US09/218,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 463/17-20, 463/22, 463/9, 273/267, 273/268, 273/269, 273/270, 273/274, 273/292, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 273/460
• US Class Current: 463/18
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00075 War games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00643 Electric board games; Electric features of board games electric word or number games A63F3/0421; computer chess G06F; electric raffle games A63F3/081
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0645 Electric lottos or bingo games

Abstract

A virtual matrix comprised of a plurality of grid elements is provided, on which a hidden pattern, comprised of a plurality of matrix entries, is randomly placed. A player views a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each visible position corresponding to one of the grid elements. The player chooses at least one of the plurality of visible positions on the gaming matrix, after which the game displays the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix on the gaming matrix. Based on the correct number of guesses matching the pattern location, the player is awarded and a media presentation signals the player'"'"'s success. If the player guesses incorrectly, a second media presentation signals the incorrect guess.

Claims

1. A method for a player to play a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

randomly associating a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

receiving input signals from the player for predetermined number of visible positions each one of said input signals identifying one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

awarding the player based on hits and misses of the hidden pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of awarding the player only occurs when the input signal is determined to be a hit.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of activating a media presentation in response to the step of determining the input signal to be a hit.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving the hidden pattern from the player, said hidden pattern chosen by the player from a plurality of hidden patterns before the step of randomly placing the hidden pattern on the virtual matrix.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of randomly selecting a hidden pattern from a plurality of hidden patterns.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the input signal to be a hit includes the steps of receiving an additional input signals from the player and wherein the step of awarding the player provides a further award when all of the aforesaid input signals are hits so as to fully display the hidden pattern on said gaming matrix.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving a wager before the step of receiving the input signal from the player.

4. A method for a player to play a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

randomly associating a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

receiving input signals from the player for a predetermined number of visible positions, each one of an input signal from the player, said input signal identifying one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player wherein the step of displaying further displays on the gaming matrix all of the remaining plurality of matrix entries of the hidden pattern thereby fully displaying the hidden pattern on said gaming matrix;

awarding the player based on hits and misses of the hidden pattern.

7. A method for a player to play a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

randomly associating a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

receiving an input signal from the player, said input signal identifying one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

displaying on said gaming matrix the matrix entry when said matrix entry is assigned to the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

awarding the player a value based on hits and misses;

modifying the award value in response to the step of determining the input signal to be a miss wherein the modified award value for a given number of misses is greater than or equal to a modified award value for the given number plus one number of misses.

10. A method for a player to play a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

randomly associating a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

receiving a bonus condition from an underlying game;

receiving input signals from the player for a predetermined number of visible positions and adding each one of said input signal identifying one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

displaying on said gaming matrix the matrix entry when said matrix entry is assigned to the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

awarding the player based on hits and misses of the hidden pattern.

36. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of displaying displays all remaining matrix entries when the first matrix entry is hit.

11. A method for playing a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

(b) randomly placing a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(c) providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(d) receiving an input signal from a player, said input signal corresponding to at least one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

(e) determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

(f) displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until a play-over signal is received;

(h) awarding the player in response to receiving at least one input signal determined to be a hit.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of generating the play-over signal in step g) in response to receiving a solve signal from the player.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of activating a first media presentation in response to the step f) wherein the corresponding grid element contains said matrix entry.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of allowing the player to select the hidden pattern from a plurality of hidden patterns before the step b) of randomly placing the hidden pattern on the virtual matrix.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the step h) of awarding the player further includes the step of receiving an additional input signal from the player.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of receiving a wager before the step d) of receiving the input signal from the player.

21. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of receiving a bonus signal from an underlying game before the step d) of receiving the input signal from the player.

37. The method of claims 11, 12, 13, 16, and 18 further comprising the step of repeating steps (d) through (f) until each matrix element of the hidden pattern is displayed on the gaming matrix in response to the step of receiving the playover signal.

38. The method of claims 11, 12, 13, 16, and 18 further comprising the step of repeating steps (d) through (f) until an empty indicator occurs in response to the step of receiving the playover signal.

12. A method for playing a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

(b) randomly placing a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(c) providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(d) receiving an input signal from a player, said input signal corresponding to at least one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

(e) determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

(f) displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until a play-over signal is received;

generating the play-over signal in response to repeating steps d) and e) for a predetermined number of repetitions;

(h) awarding the player in response to receiving at least one input signal determined to be a hit.

13. A method for playing a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

(b) randomly placing a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(c) providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(d) receiving input signals from the player for a predetermined number of visible positions and adding each one said input signal corresponding to at least one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

(e) determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

(f) displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until a play-over signal is received;

generating the play-over signal in response to a predetermined number of misses occurring;

(h) awarding the player in response to receiving at least one input signal determined to be a hit.

16. A method for playing a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

(b) randomly placing a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(c) providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(d) receiving an input signal from a player, said input signal corresponding to at least one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

(e) determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

(f) displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until a play-over signal is received;

(h) awarding the player in response to receiving at least one input signal determined to be a hit,

activating a second media presentation when the corresponding grid element contains said empty indicator.

18. A method for playing a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

(b) randomly placing a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries, each of said plurality of matrix entries assigned to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(c) providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(d) receiving input signals from the player for a predetermined number of visible positions and adding each one of said input signal corresponding to at least one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix;

(e) determining the input signal to be a hit when the identified visible position corresponds to a grid element having a matrix entry and to be a miss otherwise;

(f) displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until a play-over signal is received;

(h) awarding the player a value in response to receiving at least one input signal determined to be a hit;

modifying the award value in response to the step of determining the input signal to be a miss wherein the modified award value for a given number of misses is greater than or equal to a modified award value for the given number plus one number of misses.

22. A method for a player to play a casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a virtual matrix having a plurality of grid elements;

(b) randomly placing a hidden pattern on said virtual matrix, said hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries;

(c) providing a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each of said plurality of visible positions corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements;

(d) receiving a bonus signal from an underlying game;

(e) receiving an input signal from a player, said input signal corresponding to at least one of said plurality of visible positions on said gaming matrix, in response to receiving the bonus signal from the underlying game;

(f) displaying on said gaming matrix the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix in response to receiving the input signal from the player; and

(g) returning to said underlying game in response to an unmatched input signal.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

(a) waiting for a predetermined time period to receive a solve signal in response to a matched input signal;

(b) repeating steps e) through g) in response to receiving the solve signal;

(c) returning to said underlying game in response to the end of said predetermined time period.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of awarding the player in response to displaying each matrix entry of the hidden pattern on said gaming matrix.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of awarding the player in response to displaying all matrix elements in the hidden pattern.

26. A method for a player to play a bonus game while playing an underlying game, the method comprising the steps of:

starting play of the bonus game when a first bonus condition occurs in the play of the underlying game,

randomly associating a plurality of hidden patterns in a gaming matrix having a plurality of grid elements displayed to a player,

playing the bonus game in the following steps;

(a) receiving an input signal from the player corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements on said displayed gaming matrix,

(b) indicating all grid elements forming a hidden pattern in one of said plurality of hidden patterns as a hit in said displayed gaming matrix when said input signal corresponds to a grid element of the aforesaid hidden pattern,

(c) adding an escrow value to an escrow display in response to the step of indicating a hit,

(d) indicating only the grid element receiving said input signal as a miss when the aforesaid grid element does not form a part of any of said plurality of hidden patterns, and

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each subsequent bonus condition occurring in the play of the underlying game until all of said plurality of hidden patterns are indicated as a hit,

awarding the player a value based on the final escrow value shown in the escrow display.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:

determining the number of misses in response to the step of indicating a miss,

associating a multiple value to the determined number of misses, said multiple value being higher for a low number of misses and said multiple value being lower for a high number of misses,

awarding the player the associated multiple value times the final escrow value.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the associated multiple value is selected from a predetermined number of multiple values in a range.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of awarding the player a bonus payoff for each bonus condition occurrence.

30. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of awarding the player a bonus payoff in response to indicating a hit.

31. A method for a player to play a bonus game while playing an underlying game, the method comprising the steps of:

starting play of the bonus game when a first bonus condition occurs in the play of the underlying game,

randomly associating at least one hidden pattern in a gaming matrix having a plurality of grid elements displayed to a player,

playing the bonus game in the following steps;

(a) receiving an input signal from the player corresponding to one of said plurality of grid elements on said displayed gaming matrix,

(b) indicating the one grid element forming said at least one hidden pattern as a hit in said displayed gaming matrix when said input signal corresponds to a grid element of the at least one hidden pattern,

(c) adding an escrow value to an escrow display in response to the step of indicating a hit,

(d) indicating the one grid element receiving said input signal as a miss when the aforesaid grid element does not form a part of said at least one hidden pattern, and (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each subsequent bonus condition occurring in the play of the underlying game until all of the grid elements forming said at least one hidden pattern are indicated as a hit,

awarding the player based on the final escrow value shown in the escrow display.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising the steps of:

determining the number of misses in response to the step of indicating a miss,

associating a multiple value to the determined number of misses, said multiple value being higher for a low number of misses and said multiple value being lower for a high number of misses,

awarding the player the associated multiple value times the final escrow value.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the associated multiple value is selected from a predetermined number of multiple values in a range.

34. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of awarding the player a bonus payoff for each bonus condition occurrence.

35. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of awarding the player a bonus payoff in response to indicating a hit.

39. A method for a player to play a casino bonus game having a display and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) randomly associating in the processor a hidden pattern having a plurality of matrix entries on a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions on the display, one matrix entry associated with one visible position;

(b) receiving a bonus signal in the processor from an underlying casino game;

(c) receiving an input signal in the processor from a player, the input signal corresponding to the selection of a visible position on the gaming matrix in the display;

(d) displaying on the gaming matrix at the selected visible position the associated matrix entry of the hidden pattern in response to receiving the input signal from the player; and

(e) returning to the underlying casino game when an associated matrix entry of the hidden pattern is not associated with the selected visible position.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising the steps of:

(f) waiting for a predetermined time period to receive a solve signal in the processor from the player when an associated matrix entry of the hidden pattern is displayed in response to the step of displaying;

(g) repeating steps c) through e) in response to receiving the solve signal;

(h) returning to the underlying game in response to the end of the predetermined time period.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising the step of awarding the player in response to the step of displaying each matrix entry of the hidden pattern on said gaming matrix.

42. The method of claim 40 further comprising the step of awarding the player in response to displaying all matrix entries in the hidden pattern.

43. A method for a player to play a bonus casino game while playing an underlying casino game, the method comprising the steps of:

starting play of the bonus casino game in a processor when a bonus condition occurs in the play of the underlying casino game,

playing the bonus casino game in the processor with at least the following steps;

(a) randomly associating in the processor a hidden pattern in a gaming matrix, the gaming matrix having a plurality of elements displayed to a player in a display,

(b) receiving an input signal in the processor from the player corresponding to one of the plurality of elements on the displayed gaming matrix,

(c) indicating in the display to the player the one element as a hit when the one grid is part of the hidden pattern,

(d) indicating in the display to the player the one element as a miss when the grid is not part of the hidden pattern,

(e) adding a value to a display in response to the step of indicating a hit.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising the steps of:

repeating steps (a) through (e) for each subsequent bonus condition occurring in the play of the underlying casino game until all elements of the hidden pattern are indicated as a hit,

awarding the player based on the final value shown in the display when the entire hidden pattern is indicated as hits.

45. The method of claim 43 further comprising the steps of:

determining the number of misses in response to the step of indicating a miss,

associating a multiple value to the determined number of misses, said multiple value being higher for a low number of misses and said multiple value being lower for a high number of misses,

awarding the player the associated multiple value times the final value.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the associated multiple value is selected from a predetermined number of multiple values in a range.

47. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of awarding the player a bonus payoff for each bonus condition occurrence.

48. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of awarding the player a bonus payoff in response to indicating a hit.

49. A method for a player to play a casino bonus game in a bonus game display and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:

randomly associating in the processor receiving a hidden pattern having a plurality of entries to a game matrix, the game matrix having a plurality of visible positions on the bonus game display, one hidden pattern entry associated with one visible position;

receiving a bonus signal in the processor from an underlying casino game;

receiving an input signal in the processor from a player in response to the bonus signal receipt and random association steps, the input signal corresponding to the selection by the player of a visible position on the game matrix in the bonus game display;

displaying the entire hidden pattern on the game matrix when the selected visible position has an associated entry of the hidden pattern in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

awarding the player when the entire hidden pattern is displayed.

50. A method for a player to play a casino bonus game in a display and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:

randomly associating, under control of the processor, a hidden pattern having a plurality of entries to the display, the display having a plurality of visible positions, each hidden pattern entry associated with one visible position;

receiving a bonus signal in the processor from an underlying casino game;

receiving at least one input signal in the processor from a player, the at least one input signal corresponding to the selection by the player of a visible position on the display;

revealing, under control of the processor, the entire hidden pattern on the display when the selected visible position has an associated entry of the hidden pattern in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

awarding, under control of the processor, the player when the entire hidden pattern is displayed in the display.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein a predetermined number of input signals are received from the player.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the plurality of visible portions form a two dimensional matrix.

53. The method of claim 50 further comprising the step of ending the casino bonus game in response to revealing the entire hidden pattern.

54. The method of claim 50 further comprising the step of ending the casino bonus game when the selected visible portion does not have an associated entry of the hidden pattern.

55. The method of claim 50 comprising the step of:

continuing the casino bonus game for each next bonus signal (1) as long as the player continues to play the underlying game and (2) when the selected visible position does not have an associated entry of the hidden pattern, preventing the step of randomly associating from occurring so that the random association of the hidden pattern to the display remains fixed.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the display shows each selected visible portion as a miss when the selected visible portion does not have an associated entry of the hidden pattern until the hidden pattern is revealed.

57. The method of claim 50 wherein for each next bonus signal as long as the player is playing the underlying game, the step of randomly associating occurs.

58. The method of claim 50 wherein for each next bonus signal as long as the player is playing the underlying game, the step of randomly associating includes the step of selecting a different random pattern.

59. The method of claim 50 wherein the steps of randomly associating and awarding occur in any order.

60. The method of claim 50 wherein the steps of revealing and awarding occur in any order.

61. A method for a player to play a casino bonus game in a display and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:

randomly associating, under control of the processor, a plurality of hidden patterns having a plurality of entries to the display, the display having a plurality of visible positions, each hidden pattern entry associated with one visible position;

receiving a bonus signal in the processor from an underlying casino game;

receiving a predetermined number of input signals in the processor from a player, the at least one input signal corresponding to the selection by the player of a visible position on the display;

revealing, under control of the processor, the entire hidden pattern on the display when the selected visible position has an associated entry of one of the plurality of hidden patterns in response to receiving an input signal from the player;

awarding, under control of the processor, the player a first award when each entire hidden pattern is displayed in the display and a second award when all of the plurality of hidden patterns are revealed,

ending the casino bonus game after the predetermined number of inputs occur or when all hidden patterns are revealed.

62. A method for a player to play a casino bonus game having a display and a processor, the method comprising the steps in any order of;

receiving a bonus signal in the processor from an underlying casino game to start play of the bonus game;

randomly associating in the processor at least one hidden pattern having a plurality of entries on a gaming matrix, the gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions on the display, one entry associated with one visible position; and

, then comprising the steps in the order of;

(a) receiving an input signal in the processor from a player during play of the casino bonus game, the input signal corresponding to a selection by the player of a visible position on the gaming matrix in the display;

(b) displaying on the gaming matrix at the selected visible position the associated entry of the hidden pattern in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for a predetermined number of input signals from the player.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of:

awarding the player on the display when each entry of the at least one hidden pattern is uncovered.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of:

awarding the player on the display when all of the entries of one of the at least one hidden pattern are uncovered.

65. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of awarding the player when all of the entries of all of the at least one hidden patterns are uncovered.

66. A method for a player to play a casino bonus game having a display and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a bonus signal in the processor from an underlying casino game to start play of the bonus game;

randomly associating in the processor a plurality of hidden patterns, each hidden pattern having a plurality of entries on the display, the display having a plurality of visible positions, one matrix entry associated with one visible position;

receiving an input signal in the processor from a player during play of the casino bonus game, the input signal corresponding to a selection by the player of a visible position on the display;

displaying a hit on the display at the selected visible position having an the associated matrix entry of one of the plurality of hidden patterns in response to receiving the input signal from the player;

displaying a miss on the display at the selected visible position not having an associated entry of one of the plurality of hidden patterns.

repeating the aforesaid three steps in order for a predetermined number of input signals from the player,

awarding the player with a first award when a hit occurs, with a second award when one of the plurality of hidden patterns is uncovered, and with a third award when all of the plurality of hidden patterns are uncovered.