Patent US5833537A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5833537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gaming apparatus and method with persistence effect
Assignee: I G T
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Filing: 1996-09-30
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2016-09-30
Abstract
Abstract An electronic gaming device and method is provided in which redefined events result in positioning symbols on a playing field which persist in their location and effect through two or more sequential rounds of a game. Preferably, the symbols can affect the amount of a pay out, although preferably they do not affect whether or not a game has a winning result. Persistent symbols may be removed in response to various events, such as occurrence of a delete symbol, passage of time or playing of a predetermined number of rounds.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Barrie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:27
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/326; G07F17/3262; G07F17/3265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for playing a series of rounds of a first game, comprising: a computer coupled to a display device configured to display a first game field with a first plurality of symbols for playing said series of rounds of said first game, each of said series of rounds having a win/loss outcome, and wherein said computer outputs, for each of said series of rounds, an indication of the win/loss outcome; an input device for receiving gaming input from a player and providing said input to said computer; said computer configured to control said display device to selectively display at least one of a first plurality of indicators, wherein the display of said at least one indicator persists through at least portions of two or more of said series of games; said computer configured to provide at least a first prize, wherein the award or amount of said first prize is determined at least partially in response to said at least one indicator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for playing a series of rounds of a first game, comprising: a computer coupled to a display device configured to display a first game field with a first plurality of symbols for playing said series of rounds of said first game, each of said series of rounds having a win/loss outcome, and wherein said computer outputs, for each of said series of rounds, an indication of the win/loss outcome; an input device for receiving gaming input from a player and providing said input to said computer; said computer configured to control said display device to selectively display at least one of a first plurality of indicators, wherein the display of said at least one indicator persists through at least portions of two or more of said series of games; said computer configured to provide at least a first prize, wherein the award or amount of said first prize is determined at least partially in response to said at least one indicator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator is displayed in said gamefield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator is displayed in response to at least a first predetermined event of said first game.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said win/loss outcome is independent of the display of said first plurality of indicators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computer is configured to display an indication of the amount of said first prize.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5 wherein said series of rounds of said first game is associated with at least a second prize, different from said first prize, which is awarded in response to said win/loss outcome.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first prize is awarded in response to said win/loss outcome and the amount of said first prize is determined at least partially in response to said first indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for playing a series of rounds of a first game, comprising: computing means coupled to a display means for displaying a first gamefield with a first plurality of symbols for playing said series of rounds of said first game, each of said series of rounds having a win/loss outcome; means for outputting, for each of said series of rounds of said first game, an indication of the win/loss outcome; means for receiving gaming input from a player and providing said input to said computing means; said computing means configured to control said display device to selectively display at least one of a first plurality of indicators, wherein the display of said at least one indicator persists through at least portions of two or more of said series of rounds of said first game; said computing means configured to provide at least a first prize, wherein the award or amount of said first prize is determined at least partially in response to said at least one indicator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for playing a series of rounds of a first game, comprising: computing means coupled to a display means for displaying a first gamefield with a first plurality of symbols for playing said series of rounds of said first game, each of said series of rounds having a win/loss outcome; means for outputting, for each of said series of rounds of said first game, an indication of the win/loss outcome; means for receiving gaming input from a player and providing said input to said computing means; said computing means configured to control said display device to selectively display at least one of a first plurality of indicators, wherein the display of said at least one indicator persists through at least portions of two or more of said series of rounds of said first game; said computing means configured to provide at least a first prize, wherein the award or amount of said first prize is determined at least partially in response to said at least one indicator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising memory means, coupled to said computing means, associated with each of a plurality of positions of said display means, for storing data indicating whether to display one of said plurality of indicators in the associated one of said plurality of positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising means for animating said display of at least said first indicator so that said display of said first indicator appears to change or move.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer-implemented method for playing a series of rounds of a game, comprising: a) providing a computer coupled to a display, an input device and a wager-acceptor; b) accepting at least a first wager from a player; c) playing one of said series of rounds of said game, to provide a game outcome; d) displaying a first persistent indicator in response to said game outcome; e) maintaining display of said first persistent indicator through at least two successive rounds of said series of rounds; f) awarding a prize to said player based at least partially on said first persistent indicator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer-implemented method for playing a series of rounds of a game, comprising: a) providing a computer coupled to a display, an input device and a wager-acceptor; b) accepting at least a first wager from a player; c) playing one of said series of rounds of said game, to provide a game outcome; d) displaying a first persistent indicator in response to said game outcome; e) maintaining display of said first persistent indicator through at least two successive rounds of said series of rounds; f) awarding a prize to said player based at least partially on said first persistent indicator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |