US20080176634A1

US20080176634A1 - Gaming method and apparatus for portioning a play area

Info

Publication number: US20080176634A1
Application number: US12/004,462
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley Berman; Adam Martin; Chad Shapiro; Ryan Strand
Original assignee: King Show Games Inc
Current assignee: King Show Games Inc
Priority date: 2006-12-29
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2008-07-24

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities such as slot machine. A play area comprising a plurality of elements is presented. A number of the elements are framing elements. The framing elements define a subportion. Payouts are issued for elements and element combinations within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table. The framing elements can define a subportion of the play area by forming a subportion boundary.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/877,755, filed on Dec. 29, 2006, to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to gaming systems and processes, and more particularly to a gaming method and apparatus for portioning a play area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming devices such as slot machines have entertained the public for over a century. While the fundamental concept behind slot games has remained relatively intact, the manners of computing, displaying, and participating in modern day slot games have changed dramatically. One force driving these changes is technological advancement, such as the advent of computers and video capabilities. Another driving force is human nature, as the participants of such gaming devices demand continual excitement and stimulation. It is therefore important in the gaming industry that gaming innovations continue to be rolled out to the participating public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for portioning a gaming play area.
One method includes marking a plurality of elements of a grid, at least two of the elements being marked as framing elements. The embodiment further includes defining one or more subportions of the grid using the framing elements. The embodiment further includes identifying winning combinations of marked elements located within the one or more subportions.
One embodiment includes a gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity. The gaming apparatus can include a display device configured to present a grid having a plurality of elements. The gaming apparatus can further include a random number generator configured to randomly select a marking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements of the grid from a plurality of marking types, the plurality of marking types including a framing marking type. The gaming apparatus can further include a processor configured to identify one or more subportions of the grid and combinations of element markings within the one or more subportions, wherein each subportion is defined by at least two elements each marked with the framing marking type marking. marking a plurality of elements of a display grid, each of the plurality of elements marked with a framing line marking;
Another method includes defining one or more subportions within the display grid, each of the one or more subportions being defined by a respective continuous series of adjacent elements marked with framing line markings such that the framing line markings form a continuous circuit of aligned framing line markings around the subportion and identifying winning combinations of marked elements located within each of the one or more subportions.
Another embodiment includes a gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity. The gaming apparatus can include a display device configured to present a grid having a plurality of elements. The gaming apparatus can further include a random number generator configured to randomly select a framing line marking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements of the grid from a plurality of different framing line marking configurations. The gaming apparatus can further include a processor configured to identify one or more subportions of the grid and winning combinations of element markings within the one or more subportions, wherein each subportion is defined by framing line markings of the plurality of elements forming a continuous circuit of aligned framing line markings around the subportion.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in connection with the embodiments illustrated in the following diagrams.

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for portioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4-11 illustrate additional embodiments of gaming activities for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 is another flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for portioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which the principles of the present invention may be applied; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a representative computing system capable of carrying out operations in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, as structural and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for portioning a play area.
FIGS. 1A-B illustrates an embodiment of the invention for portioning a gaming play area. The play area is a grid 100 made up of a plurality of elements, such as elements 101, 102 and 103. All of the elements of the grid 100 are illustrated as squares, but in various other embodiments of the invention, the elements could be other shapes, including but not limited to circles, ovals, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, and the like. Each element of the grid 100 is illustrated as including four sides and four corners.
Elements 102 and 103 have been marked with television symbols 104 and 105, respectively. The marking of particular elements could be done randomly, as discussed herein, or could be done according to a pre-made plan. Elements 102 and 103 represent framing elements, because in this particular embodiment, elements marked with television symbols are framing elements.
Framing elements, as used herein, refer to elements that define boundaries for a subportion of a play area. Framing elements can be within the subportion, outside of the subportion, and/or on the boundary between the subportion and the rest of the play area. Framing elements can function not only as elements that define boundaries for a subportion of the play area, but also can function as any other elements as described herein can function. For example, a framing element can be marked and incorporated into a contiguous series of corresponding elements, for which a payout is issued.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A shows framing elements 102 and 103 that are identical to the other elements of the grid 100, aside from being marked with a framing symbol. However, various embodiments of the invention are not so limited and framing pieces can include a single point, line, boundary or peripheral area on, around, or in the play area 100.
FIG. 1B illustrates the element grid 100 of FIG. 1A in a second stage of game play. FIG. 1B includes element grid 110 comprised of elements, such as framing elements 112 and 113. Framing elements 112 and 113 have been marked to indicate that they are framing elements, and include the same markings as the equivalent framing elements 102 and 103 from element grid 100 of FIG. 1A. A subportion boundary 115 has been formed, based on the locations of the framing elements 112 and 113 within the element grid 110. In this particular embodiment, the subportion boundary 115 is formed such that framing elements 112 and 113 are within opposite corners of the subportion boundary 115. As such, in this particular embodiment, the subportion of the element grid 110 is defined by forming a boundary box with the two framing elements 112 and 113 within the boundary box, each located at an opposite corner of the boundary box. In this way, the framing elements 112 and 113 anchor the subportion of the element grid 110.
Although a rectangular subportion is illustrated in FIG. 1B, various other shapes of subportions are contemplated within the scope of the invention. For example, subportions could take the shape of circles, ovals, squares, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, and the like. Three dimensional shapes are also contemplated within the scope of the invention for three dimensional grids, and could include spheres, cubes, rectangular solids, and the like.
In some embodiments of the invention, framing elements are not located adjacent to the corners of the subportion boundaries. In some embodiments of the invention, framing elements are not located adjacent to an edge of the subportion. In such embodiments, various other framing techniques are used. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, a subportion is defined such that a framing element is located at, or proximate to, the center of the subportion. In some embodiments of the invention, a single framing element can be used to define a subportion. In some embodiments of the invention, multiple framing elements can be used to define a subportion, such as two, three, four, five or more framing elements. In various embodiments of the invention, defining the subportion also defines the subportion boundary. In various embodiments of the invention, defining the subportion boundary defines the subportion.
Not all elements of the element grid 110 are located within the subportion boundary 115. For example, element 116 is not located within the subportion boundary 115. Element 116 has not been marked because, according to the rules of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-B, only elements located within the subportion boundary 115 are marked. All elements within the subportion boundary 115 have been marked. For example, element 117 was marked with a rain cloud symbol and elements 112 and 113 remain as marked by television symbols.
Marking includes distinguishing at least one element from at least one other element. There are many ways in which one element can be distinguished from another element, and therefore there are many different ways to mark an element. For example, an element could be marked simply by it being created or located in a play area. Marking can also include placing and/or representing a symbol, one or more colors, flag, character, image, graphic, number, letter, shape, feature, or design on an element.
Marking is not limited to elements. Various types of play area components of the present invention can also be marked. For example, boundaries, grid spaces, voids, sides, corners and the like can also be marked. Moreover, a particular part of an element can be marked, such as a side or a corner of an element.
One element can be distinguished from another element by locating the elements at different heights, rotating one or both of the elements, flipping one or both of the elements, moving one or both of the elements, resizing one of both of the elements, deforming one or both of the elements, modifying one or both of the elements and/or combining one or both of the elements with at least one other element. Distinguishing of elements can be done to physical elements, such as element pieces of a board or on a reel strip. Distinguishing of elements can also be represented on a display screen.
In various embodiments of the invention, a particular type of marking from the plurality of different possible markings can be repeatedly used to mark populating elements. In other embodiments, a particular type of marking from the plurality of different possible markings can only be used to mark populating elements a certain number of times. For example, a particular grid may only have four sun symbols with which to mark elements of the grid.
Elements 118-121, among others, have been marked because they are each located within the subportion boundary 115. Each of elements 118-121 have been marked with a lightning symbol. Because each of elements 118-121 have been marked with a lightening symbol, all of these elements correspond to one another.
According to the rules of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-B, element 118 is adjacent to element 119, element 119 is adjacent to element 120, and element 120 is adjacent to element 121. As such, elements 118-121 form a series of corresponding adjacent elements.
There are many different ways in which elements of the various embodiments of the invention can be adjacent to one another. For example, element 118 shares a corner with element 119. One element can be adjacent to multiple other elements. For example, element 120 is adjacent to element 119 because they both share a common corner. Furthermore, element 120 is adjacent to element 119 because they share a common corner.
According to various embodiments of the invention, elements in contact with and/or within close proximity to one another can be considered to be adjacent. Elements can be in contact with one another by sharing walls, lines, points, segments, portions and/or features. Elements can also be in contact by overlapping each other. Other types of adjacency may be provided as well. For example, in one embodiment, only those symbols that are adjacent in a horizontal or vertical fashion will be deemed “adjacent” for purposes of providing a payout. Alternatively, only symbols that are horizontal, or that are vertical, or that are diagonal, may be deemed adjacent. Symbols may also be deemed adjacent along opposite edges of the play area, as if the edges were wrapped around to intersect with one another. Three dimensional display grids may also be used in accordance with the invention, such that elements sharing a wall, corner or segment may be considered to be adjacent.
The series of corresponding adjacent elements 118-121 can be dynamically identified. Dynamic identification includes locating element series or segments that can take any number of forms. As opposed to classic three reel strip slot matching, where a series of winning symbols could only be formed along one row, dynamic identification allows segments to be formed in many other ways, including series and segments that repeatedly change direction along their length.
A payout can be issued in various embodiments of the invention for a variety of different occurrences. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-B, marked elements 118-121 form a series of corresponding adjacent elements, and a payout can be issued to the game player according to a pay table for the occurrence of the series within the subportion boundary 115.
Payouts can also be calculated according to scatter pay methods. A scatter pay method identifies a number of corresponding elements in a particular area and issues a payout. In various embodiments of the invention, the number of corresponding elements must meet a threshold in order to trigger a payout. For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B may issue a scatter pay payout for the appearance of three sun symbols within the subportion boundary 115 in addition to the payout for the series of corresponding marked elements 118-121. Various embodiments of the invention may only identify and issue scatter pay type payouts or adjacent type payouts.
While elements 118-121 correspond to one another because each has been marked with a lighting symbol marking, there are various other ways in which elements can correspond to one another, according to various embodiments of the inventions. For example, elements could correspond to one another not by having the same mark, but rather by just having a mark at all. But in some embodiments of the invention, elements will only correspond if they have the same letter, number, symbol, image, color, or other similar marking. In some embodiments of the invention, elements will correspond if they are marked with markings selected from a particular group, and the elements need not all have identical markings to correspond to one another. For example, elements of a corresponding series of marked elements may correspond because each is marked with an image of a dog, even though all image markings on the elements are of a different breed of dog.
In some embodiments of the invention, elements correspond to one another if their markings form a progressive series. In such embodiments, adjacent elements might only correspond if they are marked with consecutive numbering, such as if elements 118, 119, 120, and 121 were each marked 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In other embodiments, letter marked elements of a segment may only correspond if the adjacent elements spell a word. However, the present invention is not so limited. Other types of element correspondence are contemplated and should be realized by one or ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. For example, marked elements may correspond because, according to a pay table, the combination of the elements triggers a payout.
FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 includes an element array 200 composed of a plurality of elements, such as framing elements 201 and 202. All of the elements of element array 200 have been marked. The marking of the elements can be done such that the marking for each element is randomly selected from a plurality of possible markings. Framing elements 201 and 202 are each marked with television marking symbols. According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, an element that is marked with a television symbol becomes a framing element.
According to the rules of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, once all of the elements of the element array 200 have been marked, a subportion of the element array 200 is defined. The subportion is defined by the relative positions of the framing elements 201 and 202, the subportion being circumscribed by subportion boundary 207. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the framing elements 201 and 202 are not inside of the subportion boundary 207. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the subportion boundary 207 is formed such that framing elements 201 and 202 are adjacent to opposite corners 204 and 205 of the subportion boundary 207. As such, in this particular embodiment, the subportion of the element array 200 is defined by forming a boundary box with the two framing elements 201 and 202 outside the boundary box, each framing element having a corner adjacent to a corner of the boundary box, wherein the two corners of the boundary box that are adjacent to the framing elements 201 and 202 are also opposite each other. In this way, the framing elements 201 and 202 anchor the subportion of the element array 200.
According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, elements of the subportion circumscribed by the subportion boundary 207 can be used to form scatter pays, element series, winning elements, and/or any other type of element combinations to trigger payouts.
The framing elements 201 and 202 of FIG. 2 are not located within the subportion boundary 207. As such, all of the elements of the subportion can be used to form element combinations that trigger payouts. However, as the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 demonstrates, not including the framing elements within the subportion can reduce the size of the subportion, thereby reducing the number of markings within the subportion that can form winning combinations.
In various embodiments of the invention, a player can be given the choice on how to form boxes, thus providing a greater strategy aspect of the game as the player must determine whether he or she prefers a larger subportion with framing elements inside the subportion or a smaller subportion that is not diluted by the framing elements within the subportion.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for portioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention. The method of FIG. 3 includes the step of marking 310 elements of a play area, including marking at least two elements as framing elements.
The method of FIG. 3 further includes the step of defining 320 a subportion of the play area framed by the at least two framing elements. There are many ways in which a subportion of a play area can be defined by framing elements, as discussed herein. For example, the subportion boundary could be defined such that one or all of the framing elements are within the subportion. Moreover, the subportion boundary could be defined such that one or all of the framing elements are within the subportion boundary, each located at an opposite inside corner of the subportion boundary. The subportion could be defined such that one or all of the framing elements are located outside of the subportion boundary. Moreover, the subportion could be defined such that one or all of the framing elements are adjacent to a corresponding number of corners of the subportion boundary. Subportions can also be defined by having a framing element in a particular column or row, such that any element in the column and/or row of the framing element is a part of the subportion.
A subportion can be defined automatically, such as by use of instructions stored in memory and executed by a processor. A subportion could also be defined manually by a user. For example, a game player may be given the opportunity to position the subportion boundaries using the framing elements.
The method of FIG. 3 further includes the step of issuing 330 a payout based on the marked elements within the subportion. Payouts can be based on the identification of combinations of elements that correspond to wins of a pay table. For example, a scatter pay embodiment of the invention may issue a payout because three “Queen” elements were identified in the subportion area defined in step 320. Other types of combinations, as discussed herein or known in the art, can also be identified in the subportion and used to calculate and trigger payouts.
In various embodiments of the invention, payouts can also be calculated and issued for combinations found outside or partially within the subportion. In such embodiments, certain bonuses may be given for combinations within the subportion, such as a multiplier bonus, or other types of bonuses either discussed herein or known in the art.
In various embodiments of the invention, the elements marked as framing elements may be marked before other elements are marked, such that only the elements of the subportion are marked. In some embodiments of the invention, all elements of the play area are marked before the subportion is defined, such that elements that will be outside of the subportion once the subportion is defined are marked. In various embodiments of the invention, when all elements of the play area are marked before the subportion is defined, only those elements within the subportion are used to form winning combinations that trigger payouts. However, the invention is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, when all elements of the play are marked before the subportion is defined, a payout may be issued for all element combinations within the play area that are capable of triggering a payout, however those element combinations within the subportion also trigger a bonus, such as a multiplier.
In some embodiments, different rules can be used for identifying combinations of elements corresponding to a win and/or payout. For example, corresponding elements outside of a subportion may need to be located adjacently to trigger a payout, while corresponding elements inside of the subportion need not be adjacent to trigger a payout (e.g., are evaluated according to scatter pay rules). As such, the elements inside of a subportion are evaluated according to looser payout rules then elements outside of the subportion. In some embodiments, the opposite could be the case, where elements outside of a subportion are evaluated according to looser payout rules than elements inside of a subportion.
The play areas of the current invention can be presented in various ways. Play areas can include display grids. Various types of display grids are contemplated in the scope of the invention, including vertical and horizontal lines creating spaces of rectangles and/or squares. A display grid could also be comprised of triangles, hexagons, ovals, circles and other shapes.
A display grid can be presented in various ways. For example, a display grid could be comprised of several reel strips with various markings on the periphery of the reel strips. Several reel strips with a common axis placed together can form a grid, with each reel strip representing a vertical column and adjacent markings on the aligned reels representing a horizontal row. A display grid could also be printed on a surface, such as a piece of paper or board. A grid could also be represented by projected light.
A display grid can also be presented by use of video means, such as with a video slot machine. In a video slot machine, the reel strips are not represented by physical material, but rather include electronically stored symbol patterns, i.e., a virtual reel strip. By using virtual reel strips for each of the display subsegments, there is no physical correlation between display subsegments as there are with mechanical reel strips. For example, in the context of mechanical reel strips, three symbols presented in a column across three paylines are physically restricted to that particular order, since the reel strip is presented across three rows. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is no such relationship and each subpart of the grid can display a marking independent of any other subpart. Furthermore, there are other advantages by using video representation, including faster game play, greater flexibility in game types and variations, and representation of things that would otherwise be physically complicated or impossible.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 4 includes a display grid 400 composed of elements, such as elements 401, 402 and 403. The elements of the display grid 400 have been marked, each element with a symbol. The display grid 400 includes elements marked as framing elements 401, 402, and 403. In various embodiments of the invention, a predetermined number of framing elements may be used for each display grid, such as one, two, three, or any other number. In various embodiments of the invention, a display grid may not be populated with a predetermined number of framing elements, but rather randomly populated with elements such that there is a chance that the display grid will include a certain number of framing elements in a particular game, such as two, but that number will not be reached on every game. In various embodiments of the invention, a symbol is randomly selected for marking for each particular element of the play area, and one of those symbols is a symbol which signifies an element as a framing element, such that for each element there is a chance that that element might be marked as a framing element. Therefore, the invention includes embodiments where the number of framing elements used in each game is not determined until the elements of the play area are marked.
The display grid 400 of FIG. 4 includes three framing elements 401, 402, and 403. In various embodiments of the invention, several subportions can be defined within a play area. The display grid of FIG. 4 illustrates such an embodiment. For example, framing elements 401 and 402 are used to define a shaded subportion boundary 406. Framing element 402 is also used, with framing element 403, to define dashed subportion boundary 405. Framing element 401 and framing element 403 are used to define solid subportion boundary 404. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in various embodiments of the invention, subportions can overlap and one subportion can also be contained entirely within another subportion.
In various embodiments of the invention, payouts can be issued for elements and element combinations within multiple subportions. For example, within the solid subportion boundary 404 are three adjacent storm cloud symbols, orientated diagonally. Also, within the solid subportion boundary 404 are three adjacent sun symbols, orientated vertically. Three vertically adjacent sun symbols are also within dashed subportion boundary 405. In various embodiments of the invention, a winning combination of elements contained within a subportion may trigger a payout, and a winning combination of elements contained within two subportions may either trigger two payouts or trigger a single payout with a multiplier or otherwise provide some bonus.
In various embodiments of the invention, a game player may be presented with several different subportions formed from a number of framing elements located in an element grid and the game player may be allowed to choose amongst the subportions which subportion the game player would like to evaluate for payouts. In such embodiments, a game player might forgo a potential payout in one subportion in order to take advantage of a potential payout in another subportion. In such embodiments, the game player may be allowed to activate and/or deactivate framing elements and/or subportions. Player selection of framing elements and/or subportions and/or activation/deactivation of framing elements and/or subportions improves player enjoyment because a player is provided with greater control and allows the player to form and apply strategy to the game.
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. The play area 500 of FIG. 5 has been populated with a variety of different elements, including framing elements 501, 502, 504 and 505. FIG. 5 demonstrates, among other things, that different types of framing elements can be used in a single embodiment simultaneously. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 5, two different types of framing elements are used, yet the two different types of framing elements cannot be used together to form subportions.
Play area 500 of FIG. 5 includes two subportions. One subportion is within the solid subportion boundary 503 while the other subportion is within the dashed subportion boundary 506. The solid subportion boundary 503 is defined by the relative locations of the framing elements 501 and 502, each marked with a television symbol. The dashed subportion boundary 506 is defined by the relative locations of the framing elements 504 and 505, each marked with a cell phone symbol. Although subportions are not formed for each combination of individual framing elements in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, subportions can be formed from combinations of different types of framing elements in various embodiments of the invention. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, framing elements 501 and 505 would define a subportion, with each of the framing elements 501 and 505 located within the subportion, each at an opposite of the subportion.
Payouts can be issued for all winning elements and combinations of elements in the two different subportions of the play area 500 of FIG. 5. For example, the subportion within solid subportion boundary 503 includes a series of corresponding adjacent elements, the series formed by elements 507, 508, 509 and 510. Elements 507, 508, 509, 510 and 511 correspond to one another because each is marked with a hot thermometer symbol. The subportion within the dashed subportion boundary 506 includes a series of corresponding adjacent elements, the series formed by elements 508, 509, 510 and 511. According to the various embodiments of the invention, a payout could be issued for either or both of the above discussed series. Additionally, a payout could be issued for the series of three corresponding adjacent elements 508, 509 and 510 contained within both subportions of play area 500. A bonus or multiplier may be applied for series within multiple subportions.
In some embodiments of the invention, a payout could be issued for the series of elements 507, 508, 509, 510 and 511. In such embodiments, each element of a series does not need to be in the same subportion as all of the other elements of the series, but rather just needs to be in any defined subportion of the play area.
FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 6 includes an element array 600. The elements of the element array 600 have all been marked. Framing elements in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, such as framing elements 601 and 602, are marked with box symbols, each box symbol including a directional arrow.
According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, the subportion of the element array 600 is defined by the framing elements 601 and 602 and the directional arrow for each framing element. The subportion of element array 600 consists of elements 603, 604, 605, 606, 607 and 608. As illustrated, the framing elements 601 and 602 define a subportion consisting of a section of an element row and a section of an element column of the element array 600, the section of the element row and the section of the element column each adjacent to one of the framing elements and extending from the framing element to an edge of the element array 600 in the direction of the directional arrow. In various embodiments of the invention, the framing elements could themselves be within the subportion. In some embodiments of the invention, the element array 600 of FIG. 6 would include two subsections which overlap element 606. However, in the particular embodiment of FIG. 6, the collection of elements 603, 604, 605, 606, 607 and 608 is considered to be one subsection.
Within the subsection of element array 600 of FIG. 6 is a series of corresponding adjacent elements comprised of elements 603, 604 and 605. A payout can be made for this series. Payouts can also be made according to scatter pay rules or any other known payout types.
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 7 includes a play area 700 comprised of marked elements. The play area 700 includes three elements marked as framing elements 701, 702 and 703. Among the framing elements 701, 702 and 703, there are two different types of framing elements. Framing element 701 is one type of framing element. There are no other framing elements within the play area 700 of the same type as framing element 701, and as such, according to the particular embodiment of FIG. 7, framing element 701 is not used to define a subportion.
The play area 700 also includes framing elements 702 and 703. Framing elements 702 and 703 are both corner type framing elements, and since they are the same type of framing element, according to the particular embodiment of FIG. 7, they define the subportion within subportion boundary 706. Framing elements 702 and 703 are corner framing elements because they are each marked with a television symbol in a corner of each respective element, such as corner television markings 704 and 705.
In some embodiments of the invention, all framing elements are marked with corner framing elements, and the particular corner in which each framing element is marked is inconsequential. However, in various embodiments of the invention, the particular corner in which a framing element is marked is determinative of how a subportion will be defined.
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 8 includes a display grid 800 composed of elements, such as framing elements 801 and 802. Framing elements 801 and 802 are framing elements because each is marked with a box symbol, which in the particular embodiment of FIG. 8 signifies an element as a framing element. Framing elements 801 and 802 define a subportion that is within solid subportion boundary 803.
Framing elements 801 and 802 are adjacent to one another. Because framing elements 801 and 802 are adjacent to one another, the subportion defined by the framing elements 801 and 802 is relatively small, including only two marked elements aside from the framing elements 801 and 802. Therefore, in some embodiments of the invention, it is to the player's advantage for framing elements to be far from each other. Moreover, if the particular embodiment of FIG. 8 defined a subportion as not including the framing elements from which it is formed but rather only being adjacent to a corner of each framing element, then no elements would be contained within the subportion defined by framing elements 801 and 802.
The display grid 800 of FIG. 8 also includes corner framing elements 804 and 805. Corner framing elements 804 and 805 are considered corner framing elements in the particular embodiment of FIG. 8 because each is marked with a cell phone in the corner of the element.
Corner framing elements 804 and 805 are of a different type of framing element than framing elements 801 and 802. In some embodiments of the inventions, framing elements can be of different types because they are marked with different symbols. In some embodiments of the invention, framing elements can be of different types because they are marked in different locations, such as one framing element being marked with a large central symbol and another framing element being marked with a small symbol in a corner of the framing element. In some embodiments of the inventions, corner framing elements can be of different types because they are marked in different corners. However, in some embodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, corner framing elements are not different types of framing elements merely because they are marked in different corners from one another. As discussed herein, in various embodiments of the invention, some subportions will only be formed from two framing elements that are of the same type and will not be formed by two framing elements that are of different types.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, a subportion is formed from corner framing elements 804 and 805, the subportion being within dashed subportion boundary 806. Corner framing elements 804 is located within the subportion of dashed subportion boundary 806 while corner framing element 805 is not. This is because the embodiment of FIG. 8 defines the subportion using the corner location of the cell phone marking symbol for each of the corner framing elements 804 and 805. In various embodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, a subportion that is formed by corner framing elements is defined such that two opposite corners of the subportion boundary are each adjacent to the particular corner of the corner framing element in which the corner framing element is marked. Therefore, if corner framing element 805 was marked in the lower right hand side with the cell phone symbol rather then in the upper left hand side, than the subportion associated with corner framing element 805 would be larger and would include elements 807 and 808. If corner framing element 805 was marked in the lower left hand side with the cell phone symbol rather than in the upper left hand side, than the subportion associated with corner framing element 805 would include element 807 but would not include element 808. If corner framing element 805 was marked in the upper right hand side with the cell phone symbol rather than in the upper left hand side, than the subportion associated with corner framing element 805 would include element 808 but would not include element 807. However, various embodiments of invention are not so limited and various other subportion formation schemes are contemplated within the scope of the invention and should be realized by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.
FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 9 includes a play area 900 composed of marked elements, such as elements 901 and 902. When the elements of the play area 900 were first marked, only two framing elements were marked, framing elements 901 and 902. Then, based on the relative positions of the framing elements 901 and 902, a subportion was defined, the subportion being outlined by subportion boundary 903. All elements within the subportion boundary 903 were then marked with television symbols, removing any previously held markings. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, payouts can be made in various ways, including a scatter pay method that issues a payout, the magnitude of the payout based on the total number of elements marked with television symbols.
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 10 includes a display grid 1000 composed of marked elements, such as elements 1001 and 1002. Each marked element in this particular embodiment is a framing element. Most of the elements of the display grid 1000 are marked both with a symbol and with one or more framing lines. For example, element 1001 is marked with a single vertical framing line and a hot thermometer symbol. Element 1003 is marked with a single horizontal framing line and a sun symbol. Element 1004 is not marked with any framing lines but is marked with a lightening symbol. Element 1005 is marked with a horizontal framing line and a vertical framing line and a partly sunny symbol. Element 1006 is marked with corner framing lines and a lightening symbol. Element 1008 is marked with corner framing lines and a sun symbol.
The display grid 1000 includes a subportion within subportion boundary 1007. The subportion is defined by the circuit connection of a number of framing lines of some of the framing elements of the display grid 1000. The framing lines that are part of the circuit are highlighted to distinguish them from framing lines that are not part of the circuit. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, a circuit is complete when an area of the display grid 1000 is enclosed by a continuous series of adjacent framing elements such that the framing lines of each adjacent framing element line up and a contiguous circuit is made by the framing lines which surrounds the area. In some embodiments of the invention, only the elements which are within the area surrounded by the circuit but that are not a part of the circuit are included in the subportion. In some embodiments of the invention, the framing elements which form the circuit are part of the subportion, as well as all elements entirely surrounded by the circuit. A payout can be issued for elements and combinations of elements of the subportion, as discussed herein.
FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 11 includes a play area 1100 that includes a number of marked hexagonal elements, such as marked element 1101. Each element of the play area 1100 is marked with a framing box symbol, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace or Joker marking. The elements marked with framing box symbols are framing elements, such as framing elements 1102, 1103 and 1104.
The play area 1100 includes a subportion defined by the framing elements 1102, 1103 and 1104. The subportion is formed in part by subportion boundary lines 1105, 1106, and 1107. Between framing elements 1102 and 1103 is subportion boundary line 1105. Between framing elements 1102 and 1104 is subportion boundary line 1106. Between framing elements 1103 and 1104 is subportion boundary line 1107. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 11, an element is a part of the subportion if at least three of its corners are within the area enclosed by the subportion boundary lines 1105, 1106 and 1107. Those elements that are part of the subportion of the play area 1100 are shaded. The subportion can then be evaluated to determine whether any elements of the subportion include elements or combinations of elements that trigger payouts.
In some embodiments of the invention, if the play area 1100 of FIG. 11 was populated with four framing elements then four or more subportion boundary lines could be used instead of three. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize upon reading this disclosure how various other configurations of subportion boundary lines and subportions can be made, depending on the number of framing elements. For example, in various embodiments of the invention, a subportion could include all elements that are overlapped by a line drawn between two framing elements.
Various embodiments of the invention including marking elements such that the elements become null elements or otherwise presenting one or more null elements. In various embodiments of the disclosure, null elements contain symbols, or alternatively lack symbols, which prevent the elements from corresponding with other elements. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, null elements may not be used to form combinations that trigger payouts. In some embodiments of the invention, null elements may not be used as framing elements. As one or ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure, the addition of null elements diminishes the chances of forming subportions and winning combinations. The use of null elements can be used to control the odds of a player winning and/or enhance the thrill of game play.
Various embodiments of the invention including marking elements such that the elements become wild elements or otherwise presenting one or more wild elements. In some embodiments of the invention, wild elements are capable of corresponding to any other elements, including a plurality of different markings simultaneously. In some embodiments of the invention, wild elements are capable of working with any framing element or framing elements to define a subportion. An element could become a wild element because it was marked as such, or the wild element could be located in the grid or array before other elements are located and/or marked. Wild elements could be randomly located or could be located at planned positions.
As one or ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure, the addition of wild elements increases the chances of forming subportions and winning combinations. The use of wild elements can be used to control the odds of a player winning and/or enhance the thrill of game play.
FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for portioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention. The embodiment of FIG. 12 includes presenting 1210 a display grid. Such a display grid can be of any type discussed herein or otherwise known in the art. The embodiment of FIG. 12 further includes marking 1220 at least some elements of the display grid, including marking at least two grid elements with framing symbols.
The embodiment of FIG. 12 further includes defining 1230 a subportion of the display grid framed by the at least two framing elements. The embodiment of FIG. 12 further includes evaluating whether a subportion of the grid contains at least one grid element marked by a symbol that is not a framing symbol, the subportion being defined by framing symbols 1240. Such an evaluation can be done by a processor executing instructions stored in memory and/or manually by a person.
As discussed herein, in various embodiments of the invention, if no element of the subportion contains elements marked by symbols that are not framing symbols, then no payout can be made. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the particular game is concluded 1250. However, if the subportion does contain at least one grid element marked by a symbol that is not a framing symbol; then the flow diagram of FIG. 12 evaluates whether any winning element combinations, according to a paytable, are located within the subportion 1260.
A pay table contains criteria for issuing payouts and information about the payouts. Different elements and element combinations can be listed in a pay table, along with an associated payout amount. Pay tables can also include information and criteria for evaluating and applying bonuses, such as multipliers and additional plays.
According to the embodiment of FIG. 12, if there are no winning element combinations within the subportion according to a pay table, then the game is ended 1250. However, if a winning element combination, according to a pay table, is located within the subportion then a payout is issued for this winning combination 1270. The payout may be issued according to an amount associated with the winning combination in the pay table. The making of the payout may be delayed by the user, by operation of the game or by another game. For example, a bonus game may be played after the game embodied in the flow chart of FIG. 12 is completed, where the payout is put at stake in another game.
The present invention is applicable to various gaming activities that are played on a gaming board or gaming machine, including slot games such as reel slots and video slots, and other games utilizing a string of symbols to generate a game result. The present invention is described in terms of slot machines to provide an understanding of the invention. While the invention is particularly advantageous in the context of slot machines, and while a description in terms of slot machines facilitates an understanding of the invention, the invention is also applicable to other gaming activities of chance utilizing symbol strings as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art from the description provided herein.
The present invention is primarily described herein as providing apportionment of a gaming play area. However, the invention is equally applicable in connection with secondary modes, such as bonus modes of play. As is known in the art, bonus events are used in gaming activities such as slot games, which provides an alternative mode of play that is intended to attract and captivate players of such slot games. Generally, a bonus game or event on a slot machine is typically an additional gaming reel or machine, or a random selection device, that is enabled by a bonus qualifying signal from an underlying or primary gaming activity. Generally, a predetermined prize-winning combination of symbols in an underlying or primary slot game may result in the player being awarded one or more bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higher probability of winning, thereby instilling a great interest by players in being awarded bonus events. There are various secondary or “bonus” events known in the art. Thus, while an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in connection with a standard or primary mode of play, the present invention is equally applicable in secondary or bonus modes of play.
FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which the principles of the present invention may be applied. The slot machine 1300 is a structure including at least a computing system, a housing, and a display. The housing includes a base 1302 and a display device 1304 to allow the slot machine 1300 to be a self-supported, independent structure. The base 1302 includes structure supporting the slot machine 1300, and also includes a user interface 1306 to allow the user to control and engage in play of the slot machine 1300. The particular user interface mechanisms associated with user interface 1306 is dependent on the type of gaming machine. For example, the user interface 1306 may include one or more buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, pull-down handles, trackballs, voice-activated input, or any other user input system or mechanism that allows the user to participate in the particular gaming activity. The user input 1306 allows the user to enter coins or otherwise obtain credits through vouchers, tokens, credit cards, etc. Various mechanisms for entering such vouchers, tokens, credit cards, coins, point tickets, etc. are known in the art. For example, coin/token input mechanisms, card readers, credit card readers, smart card readers, punch card readers, and other mechanisms may be used to enter wagers. The user input may include a plurality of buttons 1308, which allow the user to initiate the game play in accordance with the invention, enter a number of credits to play, select options, cash out, automatically bet the maximum amount, etc. It should be recognized that a wide variety of other user interface options are available for use in connection with the present invention, including pressing a button on a gaming machine, touching a segment of a touch-screen, entering text, entering voice commands, or other known user entry methodology.
Returning now to FIG. 13, the display device 1304 includes a display screen 1310. The display device may take on a variety of forms depending on what type of presentation is to be provided. For example, a slot game area 1320 is provided where the slot gaming activity in accordance with the invention is displayed. The video display screen may be implemented in a variety of manners, including electronically represented with outputs shown on conventional electronic displays, such as a liquid crystal displays (LCD), dot matrix, plasma, CRT, LED, electro-luminescent display, or generally any type of video display known in the art.
Also associated with the display device 1304 is an optional winning guide area 1312, where information associated with the potential winning combinations may be presented. This area may also provide an indication of the requisite symbols, scatter pays, symbol lengths, symbol combinations, symbol locations, etc. that result in payouts to the participant. This information may be part of the display screen 1310, or alternatively may be separate from the display screen 1310 and provided directly on a portion of the display device 1304 structure itself. For example, a backlit colored panel may be used as the winning guide area 1312. Further, this information may be provided on an entirely separate display screen (not shown).
The gaming machines described in connection with the present invention may be independent casino gaming machines, such as slot machines or other special purpose gaming kiosks, video games, or may be computing systems operating under the direction of local gaming software and/or remotely provided software such as provided by an application service provider (ASP). The casino gaming machines utilize computing systems to control and manage the gaming activity. An example of a representative computing system capable of carrying out operations in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 14.
Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be used to perform the various gaming functions, display presentations and operations described herein. The functional modules used in connection with the invention may reside in a gaming machine as described, or may alternatively reside on a stand-alone or networked computer. The computing structure 1400 of FIG. 14 is an example computing structure that can be used in connection with such electronic gaming machines, computers, or other computer-implemented devices to carry out operations of the present invention.
The example computing arrangement 1400 suitable for performing the gaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with the present invention typically includes a central processor (CPU) 1402 coupled to random access memory (RAM) 1404 and some variation of read-only memory (ROM) 1406. The ROM 1406 may also be other types of storage media to store programs, such as programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. The processor 1402 may communicate with other internal and external components through input/output (I/O) circuitry 1408 and bussing 1410, to provide control signals, communication signals, and the like.
Chance-based gaming systems such as slot machines, in which the present invention is applicable, are governed by random numbers and processors. Electronic reels are used to display the result of the digital reels which are actually stored in computer memory and “spun” by a random number generator (RNG). RNGs are well-known in the art, and may be implemented using hardware, software operable in connection with the processor 1402, or some combination of hardware and software. In accordance with generally known technology in the field of slot machines, the processor 1402 associated with the slot machine, under appropriate program instruction, can simulate the vertical rotation of multiple reels. Generally, the RNG continuously cycles through numbers, even when the machine is not being played. The slot machine selects, for example, three random numbers. The numbers chosen at the moment the play is initiated are typically the numbers used to determine the final outcome, i.e., the outcome is settled the moment the reels are spun. The resulting random numbers are generally divided by a fixed number. This fixed number is often thirty-two, but for slot machines with large progressive jackpots it may be even greater. After dividing, the remainders will be retained. For example, if the divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, the machine would have three remainders ranging from zero to one-hundred twenty-seven. The remainders may be considered as stops on virtual reels. If the divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, then the virtual reels would each have one-hundred twenty-eight stops with each stop being equally likely. Each stop on the virtual reel may be mapped to a stop on an actual reel or displayed reel image. These reel images may then be displayed on the display 1420. The present invention is operable using any known RNG, and may be integrally programmed as part of the processor 1402 operation, or alternatively may be a separate RNG controller 1440. RNGs are well known in the art, and any type of RNG may be implemented for the standard mode of play and/or the bonus mode of play in accordance with the invention.
The computing arrangement 1400 may also include one or more data storage devices, including hard and floppy disk drives 1412, CD-ROM drives 1414, and other hardware capable of reading and/or storing information such as DVD, etc. In one embodiment, software for carrying out the gaming operations in accordance with the present invention may be stored and distributed on a CD-ROM 1416, diskette 1418 or other form of media capable of portably storing information. These storage media may be inserted into, and read by, devices such as the CD-ROM drive 1414, the disk drive 1412, etc. The software may also be transmitted to the computing arrangement 1400 via data signals, such as being downloaded electronically via a network, such as the Internet. Further, as previously described, the software for carrying out the functions associated with the present invention may alternatively be stored in internal memory/storage of the computing device 1400, such as in the ROM 1406. The computing arrangement 1400 is coupled to the display 1420, which represents a display on which the gaming activities in accordance with the invention are presented. The display 1420 merely represents the “presentation” of the video information in accordance with the invention, and may be any type of known display or presentation screen, such as LCD displays, plasma display, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc. Where the computing device 1400 represents a stand-alone or networked computer, the display 1420 may represent a standard computer terminal or display capable of displaying multiple windows, frames, etc. Where the computing device is embedded within an electronic gaming machine, such as slot machine 1300 of FIG. 13, the display 1420 corresponds to the display screen 1310 of FIG. 13. A user input interface 1422 such as a mouse or keyboard may be provided where the computing device 1400 is associated with a standard computer. An embodiment of a user input interface 1422 is illustrated in connection with an electronic gaming machine 1300 of FIG. 13 as the various “buttons” 1308. Other user input interface devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch pad, a touch screen, voice-recognition system, etc.
In various embodiments of the invention, various aspects of the game, as described herein, may be player controlled. For example, a play may place bets, select game types, select play area types, select display grid types, select themes, select symbols, select colors, select framing elements, and/or select subportions.
The computing arrangement 1400 may be connected to other computing devices or gaming machines, such as via a network. The computing arrangement 1400 may be connected to a network server 1428 in an intranet or local network configuration. The computer may further be part of a larger network configuration as in a global area network (GAN) such as the Internet. In such a case, the computer accesses one or more web servers 1430 via the Internet 1432.
Other components directed to slot machine implementations include manners of gaming participant payment, and gaming machine payout. For example, a slot machine including the computing arrangement 1400 may also include a hopper controller 1442 to determine the amount of payout to be provided to the participant. The hopper controller may be integrally implemented with the processor 1402, or alternatively as a separate hopper controller 1442. A hopper 1444 may also be provided in slot machine embodiments, where the hopper serves as the mechanism holding the coins/tokens of the machine. The wager input module 1446 represents any mechanism for accepting coins, tokens, coupons, bills, credit cards, smart cards, membership cards, etc. for which a participant inputs a wager amount.
Using the foregoing specification, the invention may be implemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce programming software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.
Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may be embodied within one or more computer-usable media such as memory devices or transmitting devices, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to the invention. As such, the terms “article of manufacture” and “computer program product” as used herein are intended to encompass a computer program existent (permanently, temporarily, or transitorily) on any computer-usable medium such as on any memory device or in any transmitting device.
One skilled in the art of computer science from the description provided herein will be able to combine the software created as described with appropriate general purpose or special purpose computer hardware to create a computer system and/or computer subcomponents embodying the invention, and to create a computer system and/or computer subcomponents for carrying out methods of the invention.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, the present invention is not limited to what is traditionally known as “slot machines.” Also, while the illustrated embodiments have been described in large part in connection with a “slot machine,” other gaming systems and concepts are also within the scope of the invention, such as video poker games, card games, lotteries, and other casino events implementing a video screen. For example, a video poker game may utilize the present invention to provide multiple cards at each standard card display segment. It is thus intended that the scope of the invention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating a game, comprising:

marking a plurality of elements of a grid, at least two of the elements being marked as framing elements;

defining one or more subportions of the grid using the framing elements; and

identifying winning combinations of marked elements located within the one or more subportions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two framing elements of the at least two framing elements, each set of two framing elements occupying opposite corners within the rectangular subportion that each respective set of two framing elements defines.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two framing elements of the at least two framing element, each set of two framing elements adjacent to and opposing opposite corners of the rectangular subportion that each respective set defines, each set of two framing elements outside of the subportion that is defined by each respective set.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each respective element marked as a framing element is marked to indicate a corner of the element and each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two framing elements of the at least two framing elements, each indicated corner of each set of two framing elements adjacent to opposite corners of the rectangle defined by each respective set of two framing elements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple types of framing element markings are used to mark the grid elements and each subportion is defined by two grid elements each marked as a common type of framing element.

5. (canceled)

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying winning combinations of marked elements located outside of the one or more subportions, wherein the marked elements located inside of the one or more subportions are identified according to different rules as compared to the winning combinations of the elements outside of the one or more subportions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein marking the plurality of elements of the grid comprises randomly selecting at least one marking type for each grid element from a plurality of marking types, the plurality of marking types including a framing marking type signifying marked elements as framing elements.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of marking and remarking elements located in the one or more subportions and identifying winning combinations of marked elements located within the one or more subportions

9. A gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity, the gaming apparatus comprising:

a display device configured to present a grid having a plurality of elements;

a random number generator configured to randomly select a marking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements of the grid from a plurality of marking types, the plurality of marking types including a framing marking type; and

a processor configured to identify one or more subportions of the grid and combinations of element markings within the one or more subportions, wherein each subportion is defined by at least two elements each marked with the framing marking type marking.

10. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two elements marked with the framing marking type marking, each set of two subportion defining elements occupying opposite corners within the rectangular subportion that each respective set of two subportion defining elements defines.

11. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two elements marked with the framing marking type marking, each set of two subportion defining elements adjacent to and opposite opposing corners of the rectangular subportion that each respective set defines, each set of subportion defining elements outside of the subportion that the set defines.

12. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the random number generator is further configured to randomly select a corner of each respective element selected by the random number generator for marking with the framing marking type, each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two elements marked with framing marking type markings, and each selected corner of each set of two subportion defining elements are adjacent to opposite corners of the rectangle defined by the set of two subportion defining elements marked with the framing marking type markings.

13. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of marking types comprises multiple different types of framing marking types and each of the one or more subportions is defined by two elements each marked with a common type of the multiple different types of framing marking types.

14. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of marking types comprises multiple different types of framing marking types, the one or more subportions comprises multiple different types of subportions defined by common types of markings of the multiple different types of framing marking types, and each different type of subportion is associated with different payout rules.

15. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to identifying winning combinations of marked elements located outside of the one or more subportions, the elements located inside of the one or more subportions being identified according to different rules as compared to the winning combinations of the elements located outside of the one or more subportions.

16. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the random number generator is further configured to select a symbol type marking from the plurality of marking types for elements located within the identified one or more subportions.

17. A method of facilitating a game, comprising:

marking a plurality of elements of a display grid, each of the plurality of elements marked with a framing line marking;

defining one or more subportions within the display grid, each of the one or more subportions being defined by a respective continuous series of adjacent elements marked with framing line markings such that the framing line markings form a continuous circuit of aligned framing line markings around the subportion; and

identifying winning combinations of marked elements located within each of the one or more subportions.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein marking the plurality of elements of the display grid further comprises marking each of the plurality of elements with a symbol randomly selected from a plurality of symbol types and identifying winning combinations of marked elements comprises identifying combinations of corresponding symbols within the one or more subportions.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising identifying winning combinations of marked elements located outside of the one or more subportions, wherein identification of winning combinations of marked elements within the one or more subportions is conducted according to different rules than identification of winning combination of marked elements located outside of the one or more subportions.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein winning combinations of elements within the one or more subportions are identified according to scatter pay rules while winning combinations of elements outside of the one or more subportions are identified according to rules requiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.

21. A gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity, the gaming apparatus comprising:

a display device configured to present a grid having a plurality of elements;

a random number generator configured to randomly select a framing line marking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements of the grid from a plurality of different framing line marking configurations; and

a processor configured to identify one or more subportions of the grid and winning combinations of element markings within the one or more subportions, wherein each subportion is defined by framing line markings of the plurality of elements forming a continuous circuit of aligned framing line markings around the subportion.

22. The gaming apparatus of claim 21, wherein the random number generator is further configured to randomly select a symbol for each of the plurality of elements and the processor is configured to identify winning combinations of element marking symbols within the one or more subportions.

23. The gaming apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to identify winning combinations of element markings located outside of the one or more subportions and identification of winning combinations of element markings within the one or more subportions is conducted according to different rules than identification of winning combination of element markings located outside of the one or more subportions.

24. The gaming apparatus of claim 23, wherein winning combinations of element markings located within the one or more subportions are identified according to scatter pay rules and winning combinations of element markings located outside of the one or more subportions are identified according to rules requiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.

25. A method of facilitating participation in a game, comprising:

marking a plurality of elements of a display grid, including marking one or more of the plurality of elements with a directional framing marking;

defining one or more subportions within the display grid, each of the one or more subportions being defined by one or more elements of the plurality of elements that are marked with directional framing markings, each subportion extending from the respective element marked with the directional framing markings in a direction indicated by the directional framing marking; and

26. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the one or more subportions extends from the respective element marked with the directional framing marking defining the subportion to a boundary of the display grid.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein marking the plurality of elements of the display grid further comprises marking at least some of the plurality of elements with a randomly selected symbol and identifying winning combinations of marked elements located within each of the one or more subportions further comprises identifying winning combinations of elements marked with corresponding symbols.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising identifying winning combinations of marked elements located outside of the one or more subportions, wherein identification of winning combinations of marked elements within the one or more subportions is conducted according to different rules than identification of winning combination of marked elements located outside of the one or more subportions.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein winning combinations of elements within the one or more subportions are identified according to scatter pay rules while winning combinations of elements outside of the one or more subportions are identified according to rules requiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.

30. A gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity, the gaming apparatus comprising:

a display device configured to present a grid having a plurality of elements;

a random number generator configured to randomly select a marking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements of the grid from a plurality of different marking types, the plurality of different marking types including directional framing marking types; and

a processor configured to identify one or more subportions of the grid and winning combinations of element markings within the one or more subportions, wherein each subportion is defined as extending from a respective element marked with the directional framing marking in a direction indicated by the directional framing marking.

31. The gaming apparatus of claim 30, wherein each subportion extends from the respective element marked with the directional framing marking defining the subportion to a boundary of the grid.

32. The gaming apparatus of claim 30, wherein the plurality of different marking types includes a plurality of symbol marking types and the processor is configured to identify winning combinations of corresponding symbol types selected for the elements within the one or more subportions.

33. The gaming apparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to identify winning combinations of element markings located outside of the one or more subportions and identification of winning combinations of element markings located within the one or more subportions is conducted according to different rules than identification of winning combinations of element markings located outside of the one or more subportions.

34. The gaming apparatus of claim 33, wherein identification of winning combinations of element markings located within the one or more subportions is conducted according to scatter pay rules and identification of winning combinations of element markings located outside of the one or more subportions is conducted according to rules requiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple types of framing element markings are used to mark the grid elements and multiple types of subportions are defined by respective sets of two grid elements marked with common types of framing element markings.