Gaming machine with horizontal scrolling and matching

Abstract

A gaming machine with horizontal scrolling and matching is disclosed. The gaming machine features an array of multiple game positions each having a plurality of horizontal segments. Each horizontal segment has at least one element selected from a first plurality of possible elements to form a plurality of individual contiguous subsets across the horizontal segments. The plurality of individual contiguous subsets has both winning and non-winning configurations. During play of the game, the elements of at least one horizontal segment are variable relative each game position to form an individual contiguous subset across the horizontal segments at each game position. If the contiguous subset is one which is recognized as a predetermined winning configuration, a winning outcome is achieved and the player wins a prize.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming machine for playing a game, the machine comprising:
 an array having multiple game positions each comprised of a plurality of horizontal segments, each horizontal segment having at least one element selected from a first plurality of possible elements, the plurality of possible elements forming a second plurality of individual contiguous subsets across the horizontal segments, the plurality of individual contiguous subsets having both winning and non-winning configurations; and   during play of the game the elements of at least one horizontal segment being variable relative each game position to form an individual contiguous subset across the horizontal segments at each game position.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of game positions are oriented in a substantially vertical configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of game positions are adjacent each other. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein during play of the game the elements of each horizontal segment are variable relative each game position. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the individual contiguous subsets are divided into horizontal sections that correspond in number to the horizontal segments. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5  wherein the horizontal sections are arranged relative the horizontal segments so as to produce individual contiguous subsets having a visually recognizable orientation at each game position such that elements representative of an upper portion of a contiguous subset are arranged in a top horizontal segment, elements representative of a lower part of a contiguous subset are arranged in a bottom horizontal segment and elements representative of a middle part of a contiguous subset are arranged in a horizontal segment between the top and bottom horizontal segments. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine of  claim 6  wherein the individual contiguous subsets are formed by either a configuration of pre-determined corresponding elements or a configuration of pre-determined mis-matched elements. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  wherein a configuration of corresponding elements is representative of a winning combination and a configuration of mis-matched elements is representative of a non-winning combination. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein each individual contiguous subset is a stylized figure representative of a person or animal. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal segments have secondary indicia that are variable relative each game position during play of the game, the secondary indicia contributing to the game's outcome. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming machine of  claim 10  wherein the secondary indicia comprises a background color displayed behind the elements, the background color behind each element selected from a superset of possible colors. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming machine of  claim 10  wherein during play of the game the secondary indicia produce predetermined winning and non-winning configurations relative their arrangement at specific game positions. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming machine of  claim 12  wherein a predetermined winning configuration is designated as identical secondary indicia across a single horizontal segment. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming machine of  claim 12  wherein a predetermined winning configuration is designated as identical secondary indicia down a single game position. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising means for indicating that a winning outcome is achieved. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming machine of  claim 15  wherein said means comprises a visual signal displayed on the array. 
     
     
         17 . A method for playing a game having an array of multiple game positions formed by a plurality of horizontal segments, comprising:
 presenting at least one element selected from a superset of possible elements on each horizontal segment of the array;   receiving player input at a control array to activate the game;   reorganizing the elements in a random manner;   forming a plurality of individual contiguous subsets across the horizontal segments at each game position on the array;   recognizing the individual contiguous subsets as a particular outcome against a fixed set of rules;   determining whether the outcome is a predetermined winning outcome; and   where a wining outcome has been determined, generating an indication that a winning outcome has occurred.   
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17  further comprising communicating the outcome of the game to a system of electrically connected game machines. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising accepting a wager on the outcome of the game. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising providing a reward to a player that has wagered on the game, where a winning outcome has been determined. 
     
     
         21 . A gaming machine for playing a game, the machine comprising:
 a computer;   a control array coupled to computer via the user interface;   a game array coupled to the computer, the game array having multiple game positions each comprised of a plurality of horizontal segments, each horizontal segment having at least one element selected from a superset of possible elements, the superset of possible elements forming a plurality of individual contiguous subsets across the horizontal segments, the plurality of individual contiguous subsets having both winning and non-winning configurations; and   during play of the game the elements of at least one horizontal segment being variable relative each game position to form an individual contiguous subset across the horizontal segments at each game position.   
     
     
         22 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  where the control array comprises a keyboard, mechanical lever, button or touch-screen. 
     
     
         23 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  where the game array comprises an electronic display. 
     
     
         24 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  further comprising a communication interface coupled to the computer, the communication interface suitable for communicating with other gaming machines via electronic signals. 
     
     
         25 . The gaming machine of  claim 24  where the communication interface communicates via wired or wireless signals. 
     
     
         26 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  further comprising means for providing a player with a reward. 
     
     
         27 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  where the computer has a programmable processor, a storage unit and a user interface