Bingo overlay games system and method

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method for playing Bingo on a data processing system. At least one Bingo overlay game is configured to be playable on top of an underlying Bingo game, and the outcome of the at least one Bingo overlay game is linked to numbers called in the underlying Bingo game. In an embodiment, the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game is displayed substantially in real-time, in dependence upon the numbers called in the underlying Bingo game.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of playing Bingo on a data processing system, comprising:
 providing at least one Bingo overlay game configured to be playable on top of an underlying Bingo game; and   linking the outcome of the at least one Bingo overlay game to numbers called in the underlying Bingo game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising displaying the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game substantially in real-time, in dependence upon the numbers called in the underlying Bingo game. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 indicating the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game utilizing a graphic icon; and   indicating a change in the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game with a change in the graphic icon.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising summarizing all of the Bingo overlay games being played in a Bingo overlay games summary screen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising displaying the Bingo overlay games summary screen in conjunction with at least one screen relating to the underlying Bingo game. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising linking the outcome of the at least one Bingo overlay game to a plurality of numbers called before the last number called in the underlying Bingo game. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising defining the length of the plurality of numbers called before the last number called in the underlying Bingo game to between two and twelve. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising cancelling the at least one Bingo overlay game if the underlying Bingo game ends before the defined length of the plurality of numbers is reached. 
     
     
         10 . A system for playing Bingo on a data processing system, comprising:
 means for providing at least one Bingo overlay game configured to be playable on top of an underlying Bingo game;   means for linking the outcome of the at least one Bingo overlay game to numbers called in the underlying Bingo game.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising means for displaying a current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising means for displaying the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game substantially in real-time, in dependence upon the numbers called in the underlying Bingo game. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising means for indicating the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game utilizing a graphic icon, and indicating a change in the current status of the at least one Bingo overlay game with a change in the graphic icon. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising means for summarizing all of the Bingo overlay games being played in a Bingo overlay games summary screen. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising means for displaying the Bingo overlay games summary screen in conjunction with at least one screen relating to the underlying Bingo game. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising means for linking the outcome of the at least one Bingo overlay game to a plurality of numbers called before the last number called in the underlying Bingo game. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for defining the length of the plurality of numbers called before the last number called in the underlying Bingo game to between two and twelve. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising means for cancelling the at least one Bingo overlay game if the underlying Bingo game ends before the defined length of the plurality of numbers is reached.