Video game of chance apparatus

• US 6,811,482 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2002
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howard Letovsky
• Original Assignee: Howard Letovsky
• Inventors: Letovsky, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOSSER, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US10/093,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20030171144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/7, 463/16-22, 463/30-33, 463/38
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/38 Ball games; Shooting apparatus

Abstract

A gaming apparatus is disclosed that bridges the entertainment gap that currently exists between skill-based video game entertainment and the traditional formats of video games of chance. The present invention as described herein, provides a three dimensional software “world” as the gaming environment, and, through the incorporation of human interface devices, provides the player with the feeling of control experienced when playing a skill-based video game, while maintaining the random outcome requirements of standard video games of chance. In certain circumstances, the present invention may actually provide an element of control over the game outcome, but it is the feeling of control—not necessarily actual control—that provides the unique entertainment value. The present invention also provides a two-way video gaming apparatus for accommodating a plurality of players.

Claims

1. A Video Slot Game Of Chance Apparatus comprising, in combination:

at least one means to accept currency or a currency equivalent from a player;

a computer means,

a first computer program product, said computer program residing on a computer readable medium on said computer means, and configured to generate a virtual three-dimensional world drawn from a first library of visual elements contained within said first computer program, and to present said three dimensional world to a player on a visual display means;

at least one random number generator program interfaced to said computer program, and configured to direct said computer program to randomly generate a plurality of primary images drawn from a second library of visual elements contained within said first computer program within said virtual three dimensional world;

a first player control means interfaced to said computer means, and configured to allow a player initiated control input to alter said player'"'"'s point of view relative to said plurality of primary images within said virtual three-dimensional world in real time in a visually fluid manner;

a second player control means interfaced to said computer means, and configured to allow player interaction with said plurality of primary images within said virtual three-dimensional world;

said random number generator program being further configured to direct said computer program to randomly generate at least one secondary image drawn from said second library of visual elements contained within said first computer program in response to said player interaction with said plurality of primary images though said second player control means;

said random number generator program additionally being further configured to direct said computer program to establish a win or loss condition as a result of, and subsequent to, said player interaction with said at least one primary image or said at least one secondary image;

said random number generator program being further configured to direct said computer program to establish a currency or currency equivalent payout as a result of said player interaction with said primary image or said secondary image; and

at least one means to return said currency or a currency equivalent payout to a player in response to said win or loss condition.

2. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to present said plurality of primary images being displayed in either a fixed position, or moving along a defined or random trajectory.

3. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to present said at least one secondary image being displayed in either a fixed position, or moving along a defined or random trajectory.

4. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to apply the effect of a player'"'"'s skill to the win or loss outcome of a game of chance.

5. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to determine the effect of a player'"'"'s skill on the win or loss outcome of a game of chance.

6. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one joystick, trackball, touch screen, button, or other human interface means as the player control means for allowing player interaction with said plurality of primary images, or said at least one secondary randomly generated image within said virtual three-dimensional world.

7. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to allow more than one player to simultaneously participate in a game of chance.

8. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to generate said plurality of primary images from a library of images located in said second library of visual elements.

9. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to generate said at least one secondary image from a library of images located in said second library of visual elements.

10. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to generate and display a variable sized virtual three-dimensional world as said virtual three-dimensional world.

11. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides at least one means to incorporate at least one internal or external random number generator database or pay table.

12. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that is incorporated into an existing game of chance style gaming device as a second level or second chance game, a secondary event, or a bonus type game.

13. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 that provides means for generating a random combination of symbols, means defining a plurality of winning combinations of symbols and means responsive to said random combination generating means and to said winning combination defining means for providing an indication of a win whenever the generated random combination corresponds to one of said winning combinations.

14. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said random combination generating means includes display means for sequentially displaying a plurality of combinations of predefined symbols corresponding to both the defined winning combinations and said player selected winning combination.

15. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary images are playing card images.

16. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary images are slot reel images.

17. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary images are gemstone images.

18. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary images are stellar body images.

19. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary images are traffic sign or symbol images.

20. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary images are numerical images.

21. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein more than one primary image is displayed.

22. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein more than one secondary image is displayed.

23. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein, if the player does not react to said image in a predetermined time frame, the game software may automatically complete the game.

24. A Video Game Of Chance Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 which provides apparatus for accommodating at least one player at a remote location, said apparatus comprising:

a central data processing server;

at least one remote gaming computer;

a two-way data link connecting said central data processing server to said remote gaming computer;

said remote gaming computer having;

means for receiving image generation and position data from said central data processing station;

means for displaying images generated from said image generation and position data;

means for inputting a response from a player to the image generation and position data;

means for transmitting said response to said image generation and position data to said central data processing server over said data link, and said central data processing server having;

means for receiving said responses to said image generation and position data over said data link from said remote gaming computer;

means for comparing said responses from more than one remote gaming computer to determine the win or loss condition of said remote gaming computers; and

means for transmitting a win or loss condition signal to said remote gaming computers.