Method of operating an association game

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of operating a game of chance, comprising displaying a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups. Each selectable object is associated with a value, an operator or a couple operator/value. A player selection of a selectable object from each group is received. The selected objects are associated. Player selections are received and associated until there is no possible association left. An association value is evaluated for each associations and a prize based on these association values is awarded to the player.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35USC§119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application(s) 60/473,025 filed May 27th 2003, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a game of chance offering an association bonus feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Gambling has evolved a lot during the last few years, and game manufacturers are always searching for new methods to interest and entertain players. Players are always demanding more features and payout schemes.

[0004] Improvements in these kinds of games .are desired to enhance the player's interest and entertainment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of operating a game of chance comprising displaying a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups. Each selectable object is associated with a value, an operator or a couple operator/value. A player selection of a selectable object from each group is received. The selected objects are associated. Player selections are received and associated until there is no possible association left. An association value is evaluated for each associations and a prize based on these association values is awarded to the player.

[0006] in another embodiment, the present invention provides a gaming apparatus comprising display means to display a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups. Each selectable object is associated with a value, an operator or a couple value/operator. It also comprises input means to receive the player selections of a selectable object from each group; and controller means to associate the player selections, to evaluate an association value and to end the game when there is no possible association left. The gaming apparatus also comprises awarding means to award a prize based on said associations.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium having codes adapted to display a plurality of selectable objects, each associated with a value, an operator or a couple value/operator; to receive player selections of selectable objects from each group; to associate the player selections. The computer program codes repeat the steps of receiving a player selection, associating until all there is no possible association left. The computer program codes are also adapted to evaluate an association value for each association and to award a prize based on these associations.

[0008] In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a computer program carried on an electrical or electro-magnetic carrier signal having codes adapted to display a plurality of selectable objects, each associated with a value, an operator or a couple value/operator; to receive player selections of selectable objects from each group; to associate the player selections. The computer program codes repeat the steps of receiving a player selection, associating until all there is no possible. association left. The computer program codes are also adapted to evaluate an association value for each association and to award a prize based on these associations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a gaming machine suitable for the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a bloc diagram illustrating the components of the gaming machine of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a game process in accordance with the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a screen shot illustrating part of the play of a game played in accordance to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a screen shot illustrating the completed play of the game of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a screen shot illustrating an example of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 7 is a screen shot illustrating an example of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The present invention describes a game offering the player a plurality of groups of selectable objects, each being associated with a hidden value and/or hidden operator. The player selects an object from each group, associating them, until there is no possible association left, thus all the selectable objects of at least one group has been selected. A prize is calculated, based on the associations, and awarded to the player.

[0019] The present invention is preferably carried out on a gaming apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Said gaming apparatus 10 comprises display means 12, such as a video screen, a LCD screen or mechanical reels; credit-receiving means 14 such as a card reader or a coin and/or bill acceptor; input means 16, such as buttons, levers or a touch screen; awarding means 18, such as a ticket printer, a card reader or a hopper; memory means 20 and a game controller means 22.

[0020] More precisely, the present invention provides a gaming apparatus 10 comprising display means 12 to display a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups. Each selectable object is associated with a value, an operator or a couple value/operator. It also comprises input means 16 to receive the player selections of a selectable object from each group; and controller means 22 to associate the player selections, to evaluate an association value and to end the game when there is no possible association left. The gaming apparatus also comprises awarding means 18 to award a prize based on said associations.

[0021] The invention may also be applied in a computer program, or at a remote terminal, the game information (not shown) being distributed via a network, such as linked machines or the Internet, or broadcasted using an electrical or electromagnetic signal.

[0022] FIG. 3 explains the process of the present invention. A plurality of selectable objects, associated with a hidden value, a hidden operator or a hidden couple value/operator, is divided in groups and displayed 30. Player select-ions of a selectable object from each group are received 32. The game associates the selected objects 34 and evaluates for this association an association value 36. It is then determined whether or not at least another association is possible considering the remaining selectable objects in each group 38. If it is possible to make more associations, new player selections are received 32. If all selectable objects from at least one group have all been selected, a prize is awarded, based on the association values 40.

[0023] In a first preferred embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 4, the player is offered two (2) groups of selectable objects; the selectable objects of the first group 50 are associated with values varying from two (2) to twenty-five (25), while the selectable objects of the second group 52 are associated with pairs composed of an operator and a value varying from two (2) to five (5). The player selects a selectable object from the first group 54 and a selectable object from the second group 56, and these selections are associated to form a mathematical operation 58. The first player selections result in an association value of ten credits (5 from the first group and X2 from the second group, which forms the mathematical operation 5×2=10). FIG. 5 illustrates the completed game. Since all the possible associations are used up, and all the mathematical operations are formed, a prize of ninety (90) credits 60 is evaluated by adding the results of all the association mathematical operations 62 (10+0+50+30=90).

[0024] In a second preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the player is offered three groups: the selectable objects of the first 70 and third 74 groups are associated with values, while the selectable objects of the second group 72 is associated with operators. The player associates selectable objects from each group to form mathematical operations 76. When all possible associations are used up (when all the selectable objects of at least one group have been selected), a prize 78 corresponding to the highest operation result 80 is awarded to the player.

[0025] A third preferred embodiment describes a game wherein the selectable objects of a group are not all associated with values or operators, but may be sometimes associated with values and sometimes with operators, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this example, the selectable objects of the first 90 and third 94 groups are all associated with values, while the selectable objects of the second groups 92 may be associated with operators 96 or values and operators 98. The player associates selectable objects from each group to form mathematical operations 102. When all possible associations are used up (when all the selectable objects of at least one group have been selected), a prize 100, corresponding to the sum of all the operation results, is awarded.

[0026] While illustrated in the block diagrams as groups of discrete components communicating with each other via distinct data signal connections, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiments are provided by a combination of hardware and software components, with some components being implemented by a given function or operation of a hardware or software system, and many of the data paths illustrated being implemented by data communication within a computer application or operating system. The structure illustrated is thus provided for efficiency of teaching the present preferred embodiment.

[0027] It should be noted that the present invention can be carried out as a method, can be embodied in a system, a computer readable medium or an electrical or electro-magnetic signal.

[0028] The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of operating a game of chance comprising the steps of:

displaying a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups, each selectable object being associated with at least one of (a) a hidden value, and (b) a hidden operator;

receiving player selections of a selectable object from each group;

associating the selectable objects selected by the player;

repeating the steps of receiving player selections, and associating, until there is no possible association left; and

evaluating an association value for each association;

awarding a prize based on said association values.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of evaluating an association value comprises calculating a logical or mathematical operation result according to said player selections.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of awarding a prize comprises awarding a prize corresponding to the highest association value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of awarding a prize comprises awarding a prize corresponding to the sum of said association values.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of displaying a plurality of selectable objects comprises associating all said selectable objects of a group with either (a) values, (b) operators or (c) values and operators.

6. A gaming apparatus comprising;

a display means to display a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups, each selectable object being associated with one of (a) a hidden value, (b) a hidden operator and (c) a hidden value and a hidden operator;

control means to receive player selections of a selectable object from each group;

controller means to associate the player selections, to evaluate a value for said association and to end the game when there is no possible association left;

awarding means to award a prize based on said association values.

7. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium having codes adapted to:

display a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups, each selectable object being associated with one of (a) a hidden value, (b) a hidden operator and (c) a hidden value and a hidden operator;

receive player selections of a selectable object from each group;

associate the player selections;

repeat the steps of receiving a player selection, associating, until there is no possible association left;

evaluate an association value for each association; and

award a prize based on said association values.

8. A computer program carried on an electrical or electromagnetic signal having codes adapted to:

display a plurality of selectable objects divided in a plurality of groups, each selectable object being associated with one of (a) a hidden value, (b) a hidden operator and (c) a hidden value and a hidden operator;

receive player selections of a selectable object from each group;

associate the player selections;

repeat the steps of receiving a player selection, associating, until there is no possible association left;

evaluate an association value for each association; and

award a prize based on said association values.