| Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game -> Monitor Keywords |
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Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like gameRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.), Plural Lots (e.g., Keno, Etc.), Plural Matches Create Pattern (e.g., Bingo, Etc.)Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060035699, Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This disclosure relates to computer-based games and, more specifically, to a computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] The game of bingo has for many years been a popular game to play by people of all ages. Bingo's popularity as a gambling game has grown to the point where gambling casinos have set up bingo games in recent years as an added attraction for their players. However, attempts to implement the game of bingo into a slot machine have been few and unsuccessful. [0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,024 to Helm et al. discloses an amusement arcade machine for playing the game of bingo. As disclosed, the machine comprises a display panel having a fixed matrix of numbers corresponding to row and column positions, a handle, and two spin reels, one reel corresponding to a row position number and one reel corresponding to a column position number. The game is played by causing the machine to spin one or both of the reels in an attempt to match the numbers on the fixed display matrix. However, the game does not use random bingo cards typically found in the game of bingo and relies on the player's skill in attempting to stop the spinning reels at the right time to win the game. Accordingly, it is believed that the machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,024 fails to recreate the fun and enjoyment associated with the game of bingo. Further, the disclosed machine cannot be played by more than one player. [0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game. [0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game in which a player may utilize one or more display matrices. [0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game in which two or more players may compete against each other. SUMMARY [0009] It is recognized that bingo may be implemented in a more enjoyable manner to provide both multi-user play and to allow users to have greater selection and strategic interaction with the game as well as to compete with other players. [0010] A device for playing a bingo-style game including an input device for receiving user inputs; a display for displaying a graphic user interface (GUI); and a processor. The GUI includes a five column by five row random number display matrix; five display regions, each display region corresponding to each column of the display matrix; and a plurality of user-actuatable icons, including an actuation icon. The processor responds to the user inputs for executing an application program to cause the display of the GUI. The processor includes a first random number generator for generating five sets of random numbers for display by the five column by five row random number display matrix, in which the five sets of random numbers are generated such that the first set includes random numbers ranging from 1 to 15; the second set includes random numbers ranging from 16 to 30; the third set includes random numbers ranging from 31 to 45; the four set includes random numbers ranging from 46 to 60; and the fifth set includes random numbers ranging from 61 to 75; and each set of random numbers is generated without repetition within the respective set. The processor also includes a second random number generator, comparing means, and determining means. [0011] The second random number generator responds to the user inputs corresponding to actuation of the actuation icon by the user for generating a sixth set of random numbers for display by the five display regions. The comparing means compares the sixth set of random numbers displayed in the five display regions with the numbers in the corresponding columns of the display matrix, and, if they match, allows the processor to respond to user inputs corresponding to selected matching numbers, to automatically cover the matching number in the display matrix. The determining means determines whether the display matrix has five numbers covered in a row, five numbers covered in a column, five numbers covered in a diagonal, or all of the numbers are covered, and generates a bingo indication signal for indicating a bingo condition. [0012] In an alternate embodiment, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The features of the disclosed computer-based system and method will become more readily apparent and may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: [0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a slot machine designed for playing the game of bingo; [0015] FIGS. 2A-2D are illustrations showing certain winning bingo combinations; [0016] FIGS. 3A-3D are illustrations of various ways to select which boxes within the display matrix are to be covered before playing a one player slot machine embodiment; [0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a slot machine designed for playing the game of bingo with two or more players; and [0018] FIGS. 5-14 are display screens of another embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019] Referring now in specific detail to the drawings, with like reference numerals identifying similar or identical elements, FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a slot machine design for playing the game of bingo. The slot machine 1 includes a graphic user interface (GUI) including a display matrix 3 comprised of five rows of blocks by five columns of blocks as would be typically found on a bingo game card. As will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the display matrix 3 can be a series of television screens for displaying numbers within each block, a single screen subdivided into blocks for displaying numbers, individual display screens per block, or other display systems as would be found on slot machines, video games, computer systems, and the like. The display matrix 3 is designed so that when activated, random numbers are displayed in each block of the display matrix 3. Preferably, the numbers range from 1 to 75 and are limited to a specific range within a column of blocks. For example, of the five blocks corresponding to the first column of the display matrix 3, the possible numbers available for each block would range from 1 to 15. The second column of blocks would range from numbers 16 to 30, the third column of blocks would range from numbers 31 through 45, the fourth column would range from numbers 46 through 60, and the fifth column would range from numbers 61 through 75. As in the game of bingo, the machine is designed such that no number will appear twice within the display matrix 3. [0020] The slot machine 1 is also configured with a slot machine activating arm 5 and coin slot 9 as would be typically found in a slot machine. The GUI of the slot machine 1 further includes five separate slot machine wheels (not shown) each having a display window, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e. Each wheel and window corresponds to a column of the display matrix 3. Therefore, the first wheel and window 7a would correspond to the first column of the display matrix, the second wheel and window 7b corresponds to the second column, and so forth. Modifications to existing five wheel slot machines, for example the Bally Manufacture Corporation's five wheel slot machines model Nos. 1019-1 and 1019-222, are possible but preferably, a custom slot machine design would be used to implement the present invention. Continue reading about Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game... Full patent description for Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Bingo game Next Patent Application: Methods and apparatus for facilitating a flat rate play session and for extending same Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12531 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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