Computer-based system and method for playing a bingo-like game

Abstract

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; and a plurality of user-actuatable icons. 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 grouped in a predetermined range. The processor also includes a second random number generator which 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 processor compares the sixth set of random numbers displayed in the five display regions with the numbers in the columns of the display matrix, and allows the processor to automatically cover the matching number in the display matrix. The processor determines whether the display matrix has five numbers covered in a row, in a column, or in a diagonal, and generates a bingo indication signal for indicating a bingo condition.

1 . A device for playing a bingo-style game comprising: 
 an input device for receiving user inputs;    a display for displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) including: 
 a five column by five row random number display matrix;  
 five display regions; and  
 at least one actuation icon; and  
   a processor, responsive to the user inputs, for executing an application program to cause the display of the GUI, the processor including 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, wherein the five sets of random numbers are generated such that each set includes random numbers within a predetermined range; and    each set of random numbers is generated without repetition within the respective set and the other sets;    wherein the processor comprises:    a second random number generator, responsive to a user input corresponding to actuation of the at least one actuation icon by the user, for generating a sixth set of random numbers, wherein each random number of the sixth set of random numbers is displayed by a respective one of the five display regions;    comparing means for comparing the sixth set of random numbers with the numbers of the display matrix, and, if they match, allowing the processor to respond to user inputs corresponding to selected matching numbers, wherein a random number of the sixth set can match a random number in any column of the display matrix; and    determining means for determining whether the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the display matrix have been matched, and, if so, generating a bingo indication signal for indicating a bingo condition.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second random number generators, the comparing means, and the determining means are implemented in software and operated on a computer system.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is 1 to 75, and wherein the user is awarded a predetermined number of points for each bingo condition.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises means for automatically covering the matching number in the display matrix; and wherein the display displays uncovered random numbers with a predetermined colored background, and displays covered random numbers with a predetermined display image.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises a timer for clocking a predetermined period of time substantially immediately after each random number of the sixth set of random numbers is displayed by the respective one of the five display regions.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sixth set further includes symbols selected from the group consisting of a symbol which causes the user to lose a percentage of his total points; a symbol which awards the user a predetermined number of points; a nullity symbol; a symbol which enables any random number in a corresponding column of the display matrix to be matched; a symbol which enables any random number in the display matrix to be matched; and a symbol which awards the user a free spin.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for playing a bingo-style game comprising: 
 a display matrix having five columns and five rows, each column and row combination defining a block, the display matrix capable of displaying a number within each block of the matrix;    at least one first random number generator for generating random numbers to be displayed in each block of the display matrix;    at least one second random number generator for generating and displaying at least one random number to be compared with the random numbers displayed in each block of the display matrix, the number of second random number generators equal to the number of columns of the display matrix, wherein the second random number generators can generate special positions in addition to the random numbers;    an activator including an arm device for activating each of the at least one second random number generator to respectively display one of a random number and a special position selected from the at least one special position; and    a comparator for comparing the random numbers generated by the at least one second random number generator with the random numbers displayed in any column of the display matrix, said comparator further causing a block of the display matrix to indicate a match if said block has a random number displayed therein which matches the random number generated by the at least one second random number generator after receiving at least one user input confirming said match;    a determining device for determining whether the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the display matrix have been matched, and, if so, generating a bingo indication signal; and    an indicator, responsive to the bingo indication signal, for indicating a bingo condition to a user.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the number displayed in each block of the display matrix is a number within the range of 1 to 75, and further comprising a timer for clocking a predetermined period of time after the at least one second random number generator displays one of the random number and the special position.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the special position is selected from the group consisting of a special position which causes the user to lose a percentage of his total points; a special position which awards the user a predetermined number of points; a nullity special position; a special position which enables any random number in a corresponding column of the display matrix to be matched; a special position which enables any random number in the display matrix to be matched; and a special position which awards the user a free spin.  
   
   
       10 . A slot machine for playing a bingo-style game comprising: 
 a five column by five row random number display matrix;    a random number generator for generating five sets of random numbers for display by the five column by five row random number display matrix, wherein the five sets of random numbers are generated such that each set includes random numbers from a predetermined range and each set of random numbers is generated without repetition within the respective set and the other sets;    five wheels, each wheel having selectable positions and each wheel capable of spinning and stopping randomly to select one of the wheel positions;    an activating arm for causing the wheels to spin and then stop at randomly selected positions;    a slot receiving device for receiving credit and allowing a player to use the activating arm;    a comparator for comparing at least one number selected by at least one of the wheels with the numbers in any column of the display matrix and if they match causing the display matrix to indicate a match; and    a determining device for determining whether the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the display matrix have been matched, and, if so, generating a bingo indication signal for indicating a bingo condition.    
   
   
       11 . The slot machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the machine is implemented in software and played on a computer system.  
   
   
       12 . The slot machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the machine is implemented as a video game.  
   
   
       13 . The slot machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined range is 1 to 75, and wherein the user is awarded a predetermined number of points for each bingo condition.  
   
   
       14 . The slot machine according to  claim 10 , further comprising a timer for clocking a predetermined period of time after each wheel stops.  
   
   
       15 . The slot machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the wheel positions include special positions selected from the group consisting of a special position which causes the user to lose a percentage of his total points; a special position which awards the user a predetermined number of points; a nullity special position; a special position which enables any random number in a corresponding column of the display matrix to be matched; a special position which enables any random number in the display matrix to be matched; and a special position which awards the user a free spin.  
   
   
       16 . A method for playing a bingo-style game comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a display matrix having five columns and five rows, each column and row combination defining a block, the display matrix capable of displaying a number within each block of the matrix;    generating five sets of random numbers for display by the five column by five row random number display matrix, wherein the five sets of random numbers are generated such that each set includes random numbers from a predetermined range and each set of random numbers is generated without repetition within the respective set and the other sets;    generating and displaying at least one random number outside the display matrix; and    comparing the at least one random number displayed outside the display matrix with the random numbers displayed in any column of the display matrix and causing a block of the display matrix to indicate a match if said block has a random number displayed therein which matches the random number displayed outside the display matrix after receiving at least one user matching input confirming said match; and    determining whether the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all the numbers of the display matrix have been matched.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of generating and displaying special positions outside the display matrix, wherein the special positions are selected from the group consisting of a special position which causes the user to lose a percentage of his total points; a special position which awards the user a predetermined number of points; a nullity special position; a special position which enables any random number in a corresponding column of the display matrix to be matched; a special position which enables any random number in the display matrix to be matched; and a special position which awards the user a free spin.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of generating a bingo indication signal for indicating a bingo condition to a user if the determining step determines the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all the numbers of the display matrix have been matched.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the random numbers displayed in each block of the display matrix are selected from the range of 1 to 75.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: 
 clocking a predetermined period of time after the step of generating and displaying at least one random number outside the display matrix; and    preventing the receipt of the at least one user matching input after the predetermined period of time has been clocked.    
   
   
       21 . A computer-readable medium storing a set of programmable instructions and game resources capable of being executed by a processor for playing a game comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a display matrix having five columns and five rows, each column and row combination defining a block, the display matrix capable of displaying a number within each block of the matrix;    generating five sets of random numbers for display by the five column by five row random number display matrix, wherein the five sets of random numbers are generated such that each set includes random numbers from a predetermined range and each set of random numbers is generated without repetition within the respective set and the other sets;    generating and displaying at least one random number outside the display matrix; and    comparing the at least one random number displayed outside the display matrix with the random numbers displayed in any column of the display matrix and causing a block of the display matrix to indicate a match if said block has a random number displayed therein which matches the random number displayed outside the display matrix after receiving at least one user matching input confirming said match; and    determining whether the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all the numbers of the display matrix have been matched.    
   
   
       22 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 21 , wherein the processor further executes the set of programmable instructions and game resources for performing the step of generating and displaying special positions outside the display matrix, wherein the special positions are selected from the group consisting of a special position which causes the user to lose a percentage of his total points; a special position which awards the user a predetermined number of points; a nullity special position; a special position which enables any random number in a corresponding column of the display matrix to be matched; a special position which enables any random number in the display matrix to be matched; and a special position which awards the user a free spin.  
   
   
       23 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 21 , wherein the processor further executes the set of programmable instructions and game resources for performing the step of generating a bingo indication signal for indicating a bingo condition to a user if the determining step determines the display matrix has five numbers matched in a row, five numbers matched in a column, five numbers matched in a diagonal, or all the numbers of the display matrix have been matched.  
   
   
       24 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 21 , wherein the random numbers displayed in each block of the display matrix are selected from the range of 1 to 75.  
   
   
       25 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 21 , wherein the processor further executes the set of programmable instructions and game resources for performing the steps of: 
 clocking a predetermined period of time after the step of generating and displaying at least one random number outside the display matrix; and    preventing the receipt of the at least one user matching input after the predetermined period of time has been clocked.