Lotto type game having multiple chance cards and multiple tier play
A game play device supports a video display and processor control unit together with a plurality of user inputs. The control unit operates and plays a lotto type game having six cards arranged in pairs each of which defines a three-by-five number matrix. A plurality of ball spaces are positioned across the upper display and correspond to the numbered balls selected in game play. A second plurality of ball spaces corresponding to the colored and letter bearing balls of the game play are also positioned upon the display. During game play, a random number generator provides three-by-five number sets for each card and selects a random group of numbers from a number pool. The game play also selects a random number of colored letter bearing balls to be inserted during game play. Thereafter, numbered balls and letter bearing colored balls are presented and fill the spaces within the display. As each numbered ball is presented, the corresponding numbers on any of the three-by-five cards is illuminated. At the completion of game play, winning is determined based upon a pay table corresponding to the number of illuminated number matches on each card.
This application is a continuation of a copending application Ser. No. 10/128,881 filed Apr. 23, 2004 on behalf of the inventor of the present application and entitled LOTTO TYPE GAME HAVING MULTIPLE CHANCE CARDS AND MULTIPLE TIER PLAY.
SPECIFICATION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to games and gaming apparatus and particularly to games utilized in lotto type gaming activities.
2. Background of the Invention
Lottos and lotto type games are well known in the art. With the proliferation of digital electronic technologies, lotto type games and gaming devices have enjoyed substantial development in game creativity and display complexity.
The heart of most, if not all, lotto type games utilizes one or more random number generators which cooperate to control the game script or sequence of events which in turn defines game play. For the most part, lotto game play involves matching a sequence or group of numbers to a pre-established winning number or number sequence.
Lotto game systems have been developed which use “stand-alone” devices having a central processor and memory together with a display monitor and audio system. The entire apparatus resides within a housing or cabinet which in turn supports conventional gaming apparatus such as coin and bill inputs, credits/payment systems and game play input buttons and keys.
Operating in accordance with the internal gaming software, the processor responds to user play inputs and choices such as those relating to wagering, game selection and game play initiation to generate lotto type game events based upon random number generation and game rules. Concurrently, the processor provides video display intended to both communicate game progress and results and to amuse and entertain the game player. In most lotto type gaming devices, audio effects are also provided to further enhance the game playing experience.
In many lotto type games, basic number matching is employed during game play in which the player pays for a chance at winning in the form of a randomly generated set of numbers. In such games, winning is based upon all, or a portion of, a previously established number set. In other lotto type games, secondary games such as bingo-style games or other known games such as card games or the like are played. In such case, winning is based upon attaining predetermined “payout” patterns.
To further enhance interest in lotto type games, practitioners in the gaming arts often combine the stand-alone aspects of a gaming device with participation in one or more broader games such as state wide jackpots or the like. This broader lotto participation is typically achieved by coupling a great number of stand-alone gaming devices to a common communication apparatus for participation in the broader game. Often communication facilities such as the internet or local area networks are utilized to facilitate this broader game participation.
Despite the substantial advances in lotto type gaming devices and the games played therewith, there remains a persistent challenge for practitioners in the art in attempting newer and more exciting games in order to maintain player interest. This challenge in turn creates a virtually insatiable need in the art for evermore improved, interesting, exciting and entertaining lotto type games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved lotto-style game. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved lotto-style game which dramatically enhances the play value and entertainment appeal of participation in lotto gaming. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved lotto game which facilitates simultaneous play of multiple chance cards and simultaneous multiple tier game play.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a lotto game played upon a game player having user input means and display means, the lotto type game comprising: providing an image having a ball presentation, a plurality of numbered ball spaces, a plurality of lotto ball spaces and a plurality of number cards each having a plurality of number squares thereon; defining a first range of numbers; randomly selecting a first plurality of numbers from the first range of numbers and placing the numbers on the number squares to fill the cards; randomly selecting a second plurality of numbers from the first range of numbers to establish a sequence of ball numbers; presenting a plurality of numbered balls upon the ball presentation, the numbered balls having the sequence of ball numbers thereon; indicating each match between the ball numbers and the numbers on the number squares as each numbered ball is presented; and determining game results based upon the numbers of the matches on each of the number cards.
From another perspective, the present invention provides lotto game constructed to be played on a game player having player input means and display means, the lotto game comprising: displaying an image to the player which includes a plurality of number cards each having a plurality of randomly generated numbers; displaying a plurality of numbered ball each having a randomly selected number thereon, the randomly generated numbers for the number cards and the randomly selected numbers for the numbered balls being selected from the same range of numbers; indicating each match on the number cards for each numbered ball as it is displayed; displaying a plurality of letter-bearing balls selected between zero and a predetermined maximum number randomly interspersed among the numbered balls; placing a replica of each numbered ball presented upon the image; determining a win or loose event for each number card based upon the number of the indicated matches on each card; and indicating each number card having a winning number of matches thereon.
From a still further alternate perspective, the present invention provides a lotto type game played upon a game player having user input means and display means in which the lotto type game comprises: a basic game, having defined basic game winning odds, played upon the game player; a lotto game, having defined lotto game winning odds; and player option, selected by user input, for playing the basic game alone at the basic game winning odds or for playing the basic game and the lotto game in combination at odds determined by the combination of the basic game winning odds and the lotto game winning odds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
In operation, and as is set forth below in greater detail, the player initiates game play activity by inputting a quantity of coins or bills into a coin/bill receiver 14. Control unit 20 responds to the amount of money deposited by the player to establish the players credit account as set forth below. In response to the players money deposit, control unit 20 initiates the set up phase of game play in which game image 22 presents various questions and selection options for the player. The player utilizes player inputs 21 as well as one or more game play buttons 15 to establish the important elements of game play such as the number of cards to be played and the wager to be placed upon the particular game. Thereafter, the player commences game play by pressing play button 16 to which control unit 20 responds and the game play game described below is carried forward.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the distribution of player inputs between actual input controls such as player inputs 21, 25, 15 and 16 shown by way of example upon control unit 20 as well as the use of touch screen inputs such as touch screen pad 26 and mouse pad 23 is a matter of design choice. The important aspect with respect to the present invention is the ability of gaming device 10 to facilitate player input of the various game conditions, wager, etc. for use by control unit 20 in carrying forward game play.
Once game play is initiated, control unit 20 carries forward the gaming activity set forth and described below in greater detail. At the conclusion activity, the gaming device provides game results and payouts, if any, to the game player. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention set forth below in greater detail, the present invention lotto type game is carried forward on game device 10 in a manner which provides substantial entertainment and amusement value to the player. This in turn motivates additional participation by the player and facilitates enjoyment of the game activity. Gaming device 10 operative utilizing the present invention game residing within control unit 20 is fully capable of stand-alone lotto type game activity. However, the present invention game may be fully enjoyed utilizing participation in additional broader game activities such as state wide lottery games or the like. In such case, a communication line 17 operatively coupled to control unit 20 through communication apparatus 34 (seen in
In operation, processor 30 cooperates with the stored game software within memory 31 to carry forward the play of the present invention game described below in greater detail. In carrying forward this game play, processor 30 responds to player input selections via input selection unit 32 and coin and bill receiver 33. Credit meter 38 is utilized under processor control to establish and maintain credit account of the player during the course of one or more rounds of game play. Finally, processor 30 utilizing the stored instruction set within memory 31 operates display driver 35 to provide appropriate images during game play upon display 13 and operates audio system 36 to provide appropriate game sounds utilizing during game play to further enhance game appeal. In addition, communication unit 34 may operate in the event the game system is not operative in a stand alone environment to communicate between processor 30 and the remainder of the master gaming system under play.
More specifically,
Accordingly, display screen 50 includes an icon 115 for a two card bet, an icon 116 for a four card bet, and an icon 117 for a six card bet. As mentioned above, display screen 50 may include a conventional touch screen technology for making the two, four or six card bet choice. Alternatively, player inputs 21 (seen in
Display screen 50 further includes a super lotto number 110 and a mini lotto 111. Super lottos 110 and 111 relate to play of the present invention game in a broader context rather than simply a stand alone activity. Display screen 50 further includes a credits indicator 112 which sets forth the total amount of money within the players accumulated account together with a bet indicator 113 which sets forth the amount wagered by the player in accordance with the selection of number of cards to be played and a win amount indicator 114 which sets forth the winnings per game of player at the conclusion of game play. As would be anticipated, each bet amount is debited from the players credit and each win amount is added to the players credit to maintain an active running totals of credits.
In further accordance with the present invention game play, display screen 50 includes a graphically depicted ball shute 80 which graphically depicts the emergence of a succession of numbered balls such as ball 81 shown in its fully exposed position. Dashed line depictions of ball 81 behind ball 81 within ball shute 80 are intended to illustrate the graphically simulated forward emergence of ball 81 from shoot 80. In further accordance with the present invention game play, display screen 50 includes a plurality of linearly arranged ball positions 90 through 104. Thus, a total of fifteen ball positions are shown in a linear arrangements which are successively occupied by images of each numbered ball as it emerges from ball shoot 80. Thus, in the illustration shown in
In addition to the depiction of numbered balls emerging from shoot 80, the game processor in a random fashion as described below may interleave additional colored “lotto” balls. In any given game play as described below, a number from zero to five is randomly selected for a given game and a corresponding number of lotto balls are interleaved among the fifteen balls which emerge from ball shoot 80. In a similar fashion to the numbered balls, the emergence of a lotto ball characterized by a color and letter combination is replicated at the corresponding position of positions 82 through 86 of display screen 50. Each lotto ball defines a particular color and bares a particular letter from the word lotto. Thus, for example, the five lotto balls comprise one bearing the letter L, two bearing the letter O and two bearing the letter T. In addition, a color is assigned to each lotto ball. The L ball is assigned a blue color, the first O ball is assigned an aqua color, the first T ball is assigned a green color, the second T ball is assigned a yellow color and the second O ball is assigned a red color. The depictions at positions 82 through 86 of display screen 50 correspond to these letter and color combinations.
The present invention lotto type game provides a number of novel features and advantages beyond the basic game found in ball number generation and number matching. The present invention lotto type game enhances the basic game by adding a lotto feature which provides at least two new methods of winning. That is to say that the number of lotto balls themselves define a further pay event and events arising in the basic game and one or more lotto balls define further pay events.
The inventive enhancement of a basic game provides several advantages. For example, player enjoyment is increased because players have additional winning or pay events to “root” for in connection with the lotto balls. Further, as mentioned above, players have more ways to win. They can win within the basic game as well enjoy winning (pays) due to one or more lotto balls and/or winning (pays) based upon the combination of winning events in the basic game and lotto balls. Operators of gaming systems enjoy the ability to attach very large (lottery-size) jackpots to basic games that have naturally smaller odds. For example, an operator can offer a large jackpot for the combination of a player winning the basic game at 10,000 to 1 together with having all five lotto balls in the same winning game.
Since the total odds of winning the larger lottery-size jackpot are defined by the odds in the basic game and the odds in the lotto ball generation, different basic games may be allowed to use the combination game method of the present invention in competing for the same lottery-size jackpot. The overall winning odds for basic games having different odds may be equated by appropriate adjustment of the lotto ball odds. A basic game having 5,000 to 1 odds may, for example, be equated to a basic game having 10,000 to 1 odds by doubling the lotto ball odds in the first basic game, and so on.
The novel concepts of multiple pays and combined pays within the present invention lotto type game means that a number of different basic games may be combined with suitably adjusted lotto ball combinations to compete for a common jackpot at equal overall odds of winning.
The present invention lotto type game gives the player the option of participating solely in the basic game or in the combinations of basic game and lotto ball enhancements. In the embodiment set forth herein, this option is selected by the players wager.
At step 132, the player may elect to activate icon 120 on display screen 50 causing a change of randomly selected numbers on each of cards 51 through 56. It should be noted that the exercise of change number option at step 132 is exercisable at any time prior to the initiation of game play and need not follow the selection of the number of cards to be played.
Once the above selections have been made, the game play moves to step 133 at which the player has activated play icon 118 of display screen 50 causing the start of game play. At step 134, the player observes the sequence of random numbered balls emerging sequentially from ball shute 80 of display screen 50 and their corresponding accumulation among positions 90 through 104 thereof. As mentioned above, a random number of color and letter bearing lotto balls randomly selected from numbers zero to five is also interspersed within the series of randomly selected numbered balls emerging from ball shute 80 during game play. As game play progresses, any interspersed colored lotto ball is appropriately positioned within positions 82 through 86 of display screen 50. In addition, as each numbered ball emerges at ball shoot 80, any number square on any number card in play is also illuminated. For example, in the event a ball bearing the number zero-one emerges from ball shute 80 then any square on any one of cards 51 through 56 which is in play bearing the number zero-one will be illuminated. This process continues until fifteen numbered balls have emerged from ball shute 80 and then placed within positions 90 through 104. Correspondingly, any colored lotto balls which emerged during the game are also placed at positions 80 through 86. These depictions occur at steps 136 and 137 as the game is played.
In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the total number of balls bearing numbers one through twenty five emerging from ball shute 80 remains the same regardless of the number, if any, of lotto balls injected into the ball sequence by the game processor. Stated more simply, lotto balls do not displace a numbered ball in the sequence of numbered balls selected by the random number generator of the processor.
At step 138, the illuminated matched numbers on cards 51 through 56 are then counted for the number of matches on a given card. If a given card includes a number of matches greater than a predetermined number such as ten, the card numbers are blinked in an audible tone is produced at step 139 indicating a winning event. Thereafter, the winning bet is added to the players credits and game play is complete.
In
At steps 162 through 167, the system goes through a repetitive routine in which the cards are given the randomly generated numbers which fill out their squares prior to game play. More specifically, at step 162, the number pool is set for numbers one through twenty five. At step 163, a number is randomly selected from the number pool and at step 164 the selected number is added to a card space. Thereafter, at step 165, the selected number is deleted from the number pool. This is in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention which ensures that numbers may not be repeated upon a given card. Once the number selected is deleted at step 165, a determination is made at step 166 as to whether the current card is full. If the current card is not full, the system returns to step 163 and randomly selects another number from the existing number pool. Once the card is determined at step 166 to be full, the system moves to step 1.67 for a determination as to whether the filled card is the last card. If not, the system returns to step 162 setting a new number pool and repeating steps 162 through 166. At step 167 once a determination is made that the filled card is the last card, the system moves to step-168 in
In
More specifically, within step 171 the number pool is set to numbers one through twenty five at step 172. Thereafter, at step 173, a number is randomly selected from the number pool. Next at step 174, the selected number is stored after which at step 175 the selected number is deleted from the available number pool. At step 176, a determination is made as to whether the last selected number was the fifteenth or final number required. In the event the selected number is not the final number, the system returns to step 173 and steps 173 through 175 are again repeated. It will be noted that at step 173, the number pool is no longer the full number pool in step 172 due to the deletion of selected number or numbers at step 175. This process continues until the selected number is the fifteenth number. Thereafter, the system moves to step 177 and a determination is made as to whether the six card flag has been set to on. If not, the system moves directly to step 179. However, if the six card flag is on then the system moves to a step 178 at which a random number between zero and five is selected for the number of the above described colored lotto balls which will be played. In either event, at step 179 the system sequentially displays each numbered ball and interspersed colored lotto balls, if any, in the manner graphically described in conjunction with
In
If however, at step 186 a determination is made that a mini lotto hit has not occurred, the system moves to step 192 accessing the lotto ball pay table. Thereafter, at step 193, a determination of payout based upon the lotto ball pay table is made and the system progresses to step 189.
In the event a determination is made at step 185 that a pay has not been satisfied by the number of lotto balls, the system moves directly to step 191 for a determination as to whether a card pay flag has been set to on. If no card pay flag has been set, the system returns to step 152 shown in
In the event a determination is made at step 195 that the six card flag is not set to on, the system moves directly to step 198 determining a payout. Thereafter, the system returns to step 189 in
The foregoing described flow diagrams set forth the basic operation of the present; invention game and its novel features. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various selection criteria have been chosen in the present example of the present invention game. It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that such number selections are the result of game designers choice and are not limiting upon the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, is will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the selection of fifteen numbered balls from a pool of one through twenty five is an element of such design choice and that other numbers of numbered balls may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similarly, the use of the five colored lotto balls is also a matter of such design choice. Further, the selection of cards having three-by-five number matrices as well as the selection of six cards played in pairs may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be recognized that additional graphics differing from the graphics example in
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A lotto type game played upon a game player having user input means and display means, said lotto type game comprising:
- providing an image having a ball presentation, a plurality of numbered ball spaces, a plurality of lotto ball spaces and a plurality of number cards each having a plurality of number squares thereon;
- defining a first range of numbers;
- randomly selecting a first plurality of numbers from said first range of numbers and placing said numbers on said number squares to fill said cards;
- randomly selecting a second plurality of numbers from said first range of numbers to establish a sequence of ball numbers;
- presenting a plurality of numbered balls upon said ball presentation, said numbered balls having said sequence of ball numbers thereon;
- indicating each match between said ball numbers and said numbers on said number squares as each numbered ball is presented; and
- determining game results based upon the numbers of said matches on each of said number cards.
2. The lotto type game set forth in claim 1 wherein said game further includes:
- defining a second range of numbers;
- randomly selecting a number of said second range of numbers;
- presenting a plurality of letter-bearing balls interspersed among said numbered balls; and
- determining a further game result based upon said number of letter-bearing balls presented.
3. The lotto type game set forth in claim 2 further including:
- choosing the number of said number cards to be played; and
- placing a wager determined by the number of number cards being played.
4. The lotto type game set forth in claim 3 further including placing a representation of each presented numbered ball into one of said numbered ball spaces.
5. The lotto type game set forth in claim 4 further including placing a representation of each presented letter-bearing ball into one of said lotto ball spaces.
6. The lotto type game set forth in claim 5 wherein said first range of numbers is one through twenty five inclusive.
7. The lotto type game set forth in claim 6 wherein said plurality of number squares on each of said number cards is equal to fifteen.
8. The lotto type game set forth in claim 7 wherein said second range of numbers is zero through five inclusive.
9. The lotto type game set forth in claim 8 wherein said plurality of number cards equals six.
10. The lotto type game set forth in claim 9 further including a bonus game result which requires that the player select all number cards for play and a predetermined game result.
11. A lotto type game constructed to be played on a game player having player input means and display means, said lotto game comprising:
- displaying an image to the player which includes a plurality of number cards each having a plurality of randomly generated numbers;
- displaying a plurality of numbered ball each having a randomly selected number thereon, said randomly generated numbers for said number cards and said randomly selected numbers for said numbered balls being selected from the same range of numbers;
- indicating each match on said number cards for each numbered ball as it is displayed;
- displaying a plurality of letter-bearing balls selected between zero and a predetermined maximum number randomly interspersed among said numbered balls;
- placing a replica of each numbered ball presented upon said image;
- determining a win or loose event for each number card based upon the number of said indicated matches on each card; and
- indicating each number card having a winning number of matches thereon.
12. The lotto type game set forth in claim 11 further including:
- choosing the number of said number cards to be played; and
- placing a wager determined by the number of number cards being played.
13. The lotto type game set forth in claim 12 further including placing a representation of each presented numbered ball into one of said numbered ball spaces.
14. The lotto type game set forth in claim 13 further including placing a representation of each presented letter-bearing ball into one of said lotto ball spaces.
15. The lotto type game set forth in claim 14 wherein said plurality of number squares on each of said number cards is equal to fifteen.
16. The lotto type game set forth in claim 15 wherein said plurality of number cards equals six.
17. The lotto type game set forth in claim 16 further including a bonus game result which requires that the player select all number cards for play and a predetermined game result.
18. A lotto type game played upon a game player having user input means and display means, said lotto type game comprising:
- a basic game, having defined basic game winning odds, played upon said game player;
- a lotto game, having defined lotto game winning odds; and
- player option, selected by user input, for playing said basic game alone at said basic game winning odds or for playing said basic game and said lotto game in combination at odds determined by the combination of said basic game winning odds and said lotto game winning odds.
19. The lotto type game set forth in claim 18 wherein said basic game includes:
- providing an image having a ball presentation, a plurality of numbered ball spaces, a plurality of lotto ball spaces and a plurality of number cards each having a plurality of number squares thereon;
- defining a first range of numbers;
- randomly selecting a first plurality of numbers from said first range of numbers and placing said numbers on said number squares to fill said cards;
- randomly selecting a second plurality of numbers from said first range of numbers to establish a sequence of ball numbers;
- presenting a plurality of numbered balls upon said ball presentation, said numbered balls having said sequence of ball numbers thereon;
- indicating each match between said ball numbers and said numbers on said number squares as each numbered ball is presented; and
- determining basic game results based upon the numbers of said matches on each of said number cards.
20. The lotto type game set forth in claim 19 wherein said lotto game includes:
- defining a second range of numbers;
- randomly selecting a number of said second range of numbers;
- presenting a plurality of letter-bearing balls interspersed among said numbered balls of said basic game; and
- determining a further game result based upon said number of letter-bearing balls presented.
21. The lotto type game set forth in claim 20 further including:
- choosing the number of said number cards to be played; and
- placing a wager determined by the number of number cards being played.
22. The lotto type game set forth in claim 21 further including placing-a representation of each presented numbered ball into one of said numbered ball spaces.
23. The lotto type game set forth in claim 22 further including placing a representation of each presented letter-bearing ball into one of said lotto ball spaces.
24. The lotto type game set forth in claim 23 wherein said first range of numbers is one through twenty five inclusive.
25. The lotto type game set forth in claim 24 wherein said plurality of number squares on each of said number cards is equal to fifteen.
26. The lotto type game set forth in claim 25 wherein said second range of numbers is zero through five inclusive.
27. The lotto type game set forth in claim 26 wherein said plurality of number cards equals six.
28. The lotto type game set forth in claim 27 further including a bonus game result which requires that the player select all number cards for play and a predetermined game result.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 18, 2004
Publication Date: Oct 13, 2005
Inventor: Steven Weiss (Henderson, NV)
Application Number: 10/967,517