Video game slot machine program with output based on operator skill

• US 6,165,070 A
• Filed: 08/27/1999
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BVC Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BVC Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Schnagel, Todd C., Nolte, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US09/384,815
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/21, 273/143 R, 273/138 A, 273/142 E, 273/142 F, 273/142 H, 273/142 HA, 273/144 R, 273/142 R, 273/243, 273/440
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

The video game slot machine program has an output based upon operator skill and imitates a gaming slot machine. The computer program game displays at least a three grid and preferably a nine grid matrix on a monitor. The program displays video representations of peripheral segments of rotating cylinders in each grid of the matrix. A plurality of iconic images (in the preferred embodiment three sets of 27 images) are maintained in a predetermined and fixed sequence and are displayed on the "spinning" peripheral cylindrical segments. The program displays this predetermined sequence of iconic images in a grid such that no more than one complete icon and no more than a fraction part of two icons are displayed at any particular time. In another words, 100% of the icon A is displayed simultaneously with no more than about 98% of icon B. In another instance, 100% of icon A is displayed, 50% of icon B is displayed and 45% of icon C is displayed. The video game program also provides an operator triggered stop command which the program delays. The program includes a timer delaying the visual cessation of the sequential rotating iconic symbols based upon the delayed stop command. An award generator rewards the operator when one or more of the filly displayed icons, shown on the stopped cylinder, match a predetermined one of a plurality of winning combinations of icons. Preferably, delay times representing the delay between the operator triggered stop command and the visual cessation of rotation, are different for each grid in the matrix. The predetermined time delay varies for each grid in the matrix.

Claims

1. A video game, played via a keypad and a monitor, which imitates a gambling slot machine but generates a video game output based upon play skills of an operator comprising:

a computer program including;

a display of at least a three grid matrix on said monitor;

video representations of a peripheral segment of a rotating cylinder in each grid of said matrix;

a plurality of iconic images in a predetermined and fixed sequence displayed, via said computer program, on each cylinder;

a view area in each grid of said matrix limited to a display of no more than one full display icon and a fractional display of no more than two icons;

an operator triggered stop command, a respective stop command associated with each rotating cylinder;

a pre-programmed, fixed period timer delaying the visual cessation of respective sequential icons on a corresponding rotating cylinder based upon said stop command, said timer not utilizing a random number generator, such that the delayed visual cessation of icons is predictable; and

an award generator for rewarding said operator when one or more fully displayed icons, shown on a stopped cylinder in a respective grid of said matrix, match a predetermined one of a plurality of winning combinations of icons.

2. A video game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of iconic images exceed at least 12 icons.

3. A video game as claimed in claim 2 wherein said predetermined and fixed sequence of said plurality of iconic images includes repetitive and non-repetitive iconic images in said fixed sequence.

4. A video game as claimed in claim 3 wherein the display of said icons on said rotating cylinder visually appears to rotate at a constant speed.

5. A video game as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotating cylinder visually slows during said visual cessation of said sequential icons.

6. A video game as claimed in claim 5 wherein each one of said plurality of fixed sequences is different.

7. A video game as claimed in claim 5 wherein each one of said plurality of fixed sequences is the same.

8. A video game as claimed in claim 5 wherein said plurality of icons is twenty-seven and said plurality of fixed sequences is three.

9. A video game as claimed in claim 5 including a printer, attached to said award generator, for generating a redeemable coupon for said operator.

10. A video game as claimed in claim 5 wherein said award generator generates an electronic award credit for said operator.

11. A video game as claimed in claim 10 including a recognition display, coupled to said award generator, listing electronic credits of said operator.

12. A video game as claimed in claim 5 wherein said grid matrix is at least a nine grid matrix.

13. A video game as claimed in claim 12 wherein said computer program includes a plurality of time delay periods, each time delay period associated with a respective grid in said matrix, said timer applying said corresponding time period delay to the visual cessation of said respective sequential icons on said corresponding rotating cylinder.

14. A video game as claimed in claim 13 wherein said computer program includes a play timer unique to said operator and said plurality of time delay periods includes a predetermined sequence of time delay periods which are applied to said timer for each corresponding rotating cylinder based upon said play timer.

15. A video game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said computer program is stored on an electronic medium.

16. A video game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said computer program is adapted to be transmitted over a global communications computer network.

17. A video game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid matrix is at least a nine grid matrix.

18. A video game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said computer program includes a plurality of time delay periods, each time delay period associated with a respective grid in said matrix, said timer applying said corresponding time period delay to the visual cessation of said respective sequential icons on said corresponding rotating cylinder.

19. A video game as claimed in claim 18 wherein said computer program includes a play timer unique to said operator and said plurality of time delay periods includes a predetermined sequence of time delay periods which are applied to said timer for each corresponding rotating cylinder based upon said play timer.

20. A video game, played via a keypad and a monitor, which imitates a gambling slot machine but generates a video game output based upon play skills of an operator comprising:

a computer program providing;

a display of at least a three grid matrix on said monitor;

video representations of a peripheral segment of a rotating cylinder in each grid of said matrix;

a fixed sequence of a plurality of icons displayed on each rotating cylinder;

each visible, peripheral cylindrical segment limited to a display of no more than one fully displayed icon and no more than two fractionally displayed icons at any given moment;

an operator triggered stop command for each rotating cylinder;

a pre-programmed, fixed period timer delaying the cessation of rotation of respective sequential icons based upon said stop command, said timer not utilizing a random number generator such that the delayed visual cessation of icons is predictable; and

an award generator for rewarding said operator when one or more fully displayed icons, shown on a stopped cylinder, match a predetermined one of a plurality of winning combinations of icons.

21. A video game as claimed in claim 20 wherein a plurality of fixed sequences of icons are visually displayed on each respective rotating cylinder, wherein said plurality of icons is twenty-seven and said plurality of fixed sequences is three and wherein said grid matrix is at least a nine grid matrix.

22. A video game as claimed in claim 21 wherein said computer program includes a plurality of time delay periods, each time delay period associated with a respective grid in said matrix, said timer applying said corresponding time period delay to the cessation of rotation.