Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game having an obstacle board with falling symbols

• US 9,449,464 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2011
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nicely, Mark C., Kremer, Jason D., Wolf, Bryan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deodhar, Omkar
• Assistant Examiner(s): LI, WEI
• Application Number:
  US13/219,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20130053123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3246 involving coins and/or banknotes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 Game play aspects of gaming systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes

Abstract

A gaming system providing a falling symbol obstacle board game. The gaming system displays a symbol starting position, a plurality of symbol ending positions, and a plurality of obstacles. The gaming system selects one of a plurality of symbols, displays the symbol moving from the symbol starting position into one of the symbol ending positions along one of a plurality of symbol paths through the obstacles, and displays the symbol at the symbol ending position at the end of the symbol path. The gaming system repeats selecting symbols, displaying the symbol moving from the symbol starting position to a symbol ending positions along a symbol path, and displaying the symbol at the symbol ending position at the end of the symbol path until a termination condition is satisfied, after which the gaming system determines whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed at the symbol ending positions.

Claims

1. A gaming system including:

a housing;

at least one display device supported by the housing;

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, the plurality of input devices including an acceptor;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the plurality of input devices to;

(a) if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by the acceptor, establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value associated with the received physical item;

(b) if a wager button is actuated, place a wager for a play of a wagering game, said wager deducted from the credit balance;

(c) display;

(i) a symbol starting area including a plurality of symbol starting positions;

(ii) a symbol ending area including a plurality of symbol ending positions, the symbol ending area being spaced apart in relation to the symbol starting area, each of the symbol ending positions being configured to display one of a plurality of different symbols; and

(iii) a plurality of obstacles between the symbol starting area and the symbol ending area;

(d) select one of the plurality of symbols;

(e) receive a selection of one of the symbol starting positions;

(f) display the selected symbol moving from said selected symbol starting position into one of the symbol ending positions along one of a plurality of different symbol paths through the obstacles, said one of the symbol ending positions being determined based, at least in part, on a random determination;

(g) if said one of the symbol ending positions does not already display another symbol, display the selected symbol at said one of the symbol ending positions;

(h) if said one of the symbol ending positions already displays another symbol, replace said other symbol with the selected symbol such that the selected symbol is displayed at said one of the symbol ending positions;

(i) repeat (d) to (h) until a termination condition is satisfied;

(j) after the termination condition is satisfied, determine whether at least one of a plurality of different predetermined winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions;

(k) display an award for any displayed winning combinations of the symbols; and

(l) if a cashout button is actuated, initiate a payout associated with the credit balance.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of symbols are of different sizes.

3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the obstacles are displayed such that:

(a) at least one of the plurality of symbols does not fit through the space defined by two of the obstacles, and

(b) at least one of the plurality of symbols fits through the space defined by said two of the obstacles.

4. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the symbol ending positions is sized such that:

(a) at least one of the plurality of symbols does not fit into the at least one symbol ending position, and

(b) at least one of the plurality of symbols fits into the at least one symbol ending position.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of symbols is displayed as being encased within one of a plurality of different shapes.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, which includes at least one payline associated with a plurality of the symbol ending positions.

7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine, for each of the at least one payline, whether at least one of the winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions associated with said payline and provide the player an award associated with any winning combinations of the symbols displayed at said symbol ending positions associated with said payline.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the symbol ending positions are displayed in a two dimensional array.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the termination condition is satisfied when each of the symbol ending positions displays one of the plurality of symbols.

10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the termination condition is satisfied when a designated quantity of the plurality of symbols have been released from the symbol starting area.

11. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the symbol starting area includes a hopper storing a plurality of the plurality of symbols and the symbols selected by the at least one processor are selected from the plurality of the plurality of symbols stored in the hopper.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the symbol ending positions is floorless, and the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to, if the selected symbol falls into one of the floorless symbol ending positions, not display the selected symbol at said floorless symbol ending position.

13. A method of operating a gaming system, said method including:

(a) if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by an acceptor, causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value associated with the received physical item;

(b) if a wager button is actuated, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to place a wager for a play of a wagering game, said wager deducted from the credit balance;

(c) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with at least one display device to display;

(i) a symbol starting area including a plurality of symbol starting positions;

(ii) a symbol ending area including a plurality of symbol ending positions, the symbol ending area being spaced apart in relation to the symbol starting area, each of the symbol ending positions being configured to display one of a plurality of different symbols; and

(iii) a plurality of obstacles between the symbol starting area and the symbol ending area;

(d) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select one of the plurality of symbols;

(e) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one input device to receive a selection of one of the symbol starting positions;

(f) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the selected symbol moving from said selected symbol starting position into one of the symbol ending positions along one of a plurality of different symbol paths through the obstacles, said one of the symbol ending positions being determined based, at least in part, on a random determination;

(g) if said one of the symbol ending positions does not already display another symbol, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the selected symbol at said one of the symbol ending positions;

(h) if said one of the symbol ending positions already displays another symbol, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to replace said other symbol with the selected symbol such that the selected symbol is displayed at said one of the symbol ending positions;

(i) repeating (d) to (h) until a termination condition is satisfied;

(j) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to, after the termination condition is satisfied, determine whether at least one of a plurality of different predetermined winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions;

(k) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display an award for any displayed winning combinations of the symbols; and

(l) if a cashout button is actuated, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to initiate a payout associated with the credit balance.

14. The method of claim 13, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display one of the selected symbols as having a different size than another one of the selected symbols.

15. The method of claim 14, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the obstacles such that:

(a) at least one of the plurality of symbols does not fit through the space defined by two of the obstacles, and

(b) at least one of the plurality of symbols fits through the space defined by said two of the obstacles.

16. The method of claim 14, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display at least one of symbol ending positions sized so that:

(a) at least one of the plurality of symbols does not fit into the at least one symbol ending position, and

(b) at least one of the plurality of symbols fits into the at least one symbol ending position.

17. The method of claim 13, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display each of the plurality of symbols as being encased within one of a plurality of different shapes.

18. The method of claim 13, which includes at least one payline associated with a plurality of the symbol ending positions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine whether at least one of a plurality of different predetermined winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions and provide the player an award for any displayed winning combinations of the symbols includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine, for each of the at least one payline, whether at least one of the winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions associated with said payline and provide the player an award associated with any winning combinations of the symbols displayed at said symbol ending positions associated with said payline.

20. The method of claim 13, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the symbol ending positions in a two dimensional array.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the termination condition is satisfied when each of the symbol ending positions displays one of the plurality of symbols.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the termination condition is satisfied when a designated quantity of the plurality of symbols have been released from the symbol starting area.

23. The method of claim 13, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display a hopper storing a plurality of the plurality of symbols at the symbol starting area.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select one of the plurality of symbols includes causing the at least one processor to select one of the plurality of the plurality of symbols stored in the hopper.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the symbol ending positions is floorless, and which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to, when the selected symbol falls into one of the floorless symbol ending positions, not display the selected symbol at said floorless symbol ending position.

26. The method of claim 13, which is provided through a data network.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the data network is the internet.

28. A gaming system including:

a housing;

at least one display device supported by the housing;

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, the plurality of input devices including an acceptor;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the plurality of input devices to;

(a) if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by the acceptor, establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value associated with the received physical item;

(b) if a wager button is actuated, place a wager for a play of a wagering game, said wager deducted from the credit balance;

(c) display;

(i) a symbol starting area including a plurality of symbol starting positions;

(ii) a symbol ending area including a plurality of symbol ending positions, the plurality of symbol ending positions including a first row of at least one symbol ending position displayed above a second row of at least one symbol ending position, each of the symbol ending positions being configured to display one of a plurality of different symbols; and

(iii) a plurality of obstacles, a plurality of the obstacles being positioned within the symbol ending area, at least one of the obstacles being positioned between the first and second rows;

(d) select one of the plurality of symbols;

(e) receive a selection of one of the symbol starting positions from the player;

(f) display the selected symbol moving from said selected symbol starting position into one of the symbol ending positions along one of a plurality of different symbol paths through the obstacles, said one of the symbol ending positions being determined based, at least in part, on a random determination;

(g) display the selected symbol at said one of the symbol ending positions;

(h) repeat (d) to (g) until a termination condition is satisfied;

(i) after the termination condition is satisfied, determine whether at least one of a plurality of different predetermined winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions;

(j) display an award for any displayed winning combinations of the symbols; and

(k) if a cashout button is actuated, initiate a payout associated with the credit balance.

29. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein each of the obstacles is positioned within the symbol ending area.

30. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein each of the obstacles is positioned between at least two of the symbol ending positions.

31. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein a first plurality of the obstacles is positioned within the symbol ending area and a second plurality of the obstacles is positioned outside of the symbol ending area.

32. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of symbols is displayed as being encased within one of a plurality of different shapes.

33. The gaming system of claim 28, which includes at least one payline associated with a plurality of the symbol ending positions.

34. The gaming system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine, for each of the at least one payline, whether at least one of the winning combinations of the symbols is displayed at the symbol ending positions associated with said payline and provide the player an award associated with any winning combinations of the symbols displayed at said symbol ending positions associated with said payline.

35. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the symbol ending positions are displayed in a two dimensional array.

36. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the termination condition is satisfied when each of the symbol ending positions displays one of the plurality of symbols.

37. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the termination condition is satisfied when a designated quantity of the plurality of symbols have been released from the symbol starting area.

38. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the symbol starting area includes two hoppers each storing a plurality of the plurality of symbols and the symbols selected by the at least one processor are selected from the plurality of the plurality of symbols stored in said hoppers.

39. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein at least one of the symbol ending positions is floorless, and the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to, if the selected symbol falls into one of the floorless symbol ending positions, not display the selected symbol at said floorless symbol ending position.

40. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to, for a selected symbol, if the symbol ending position for the selected symbol already displays another symbol, replace said other symbol with the selected symbol.