Electronic amusement device and method for operating same

Abstract

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. The device conducts a game of chance that preferably incorporates game elements that change and expire during the game. The device performs the steps of generating and displaying a subject game element having a first class. The step of displaying includes displaying an indicia of the first class. The device further assigns a second class to the subject game element, and displays the subject game element, thereby displaying an indicia of the second class.

1. A method for directing a computing device to conduct a game of chance, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) generatingcausing a processor to generate a representation of a card having a first classrank and a first suit; 
 (b) displayingcausing the processor to operate with a display device to display the representation of the card at a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first classrank at the game set location and an indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and 
 (c) causing the processor to determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (d) displayingif the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, cause the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and  
 the first class corresponding to the representation of the card. 
 (e) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, cause the processor to operate with display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying an causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the first class the indicia of the first suit at the game set location or the indicia of the first rank at the game set location includes displaying a countdown display. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus, comprising:
 a storage device; and 
 a processor in communication with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: perform the method of  claim 1   
 (i) generate a representation of a card having a first rank and a first suit; 
 (ii) display the representation of the card at a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank at the game set location and an indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (iii) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (iv) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and 
 (v) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       4. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of: the method of  claim 1 : 
 (i) generate a representation of a card having a first rank and a first suit; 
 (ii) display the representation of the card at a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class at the game set location and the indicia of the first rank at the game set location; 
 (iii) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (iv) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and 
 (v) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       5. A method comprising:
 (a) receivingcausing a processor to operate with an input device to receive a first request for a card; 
 (b) generatingcausing the processor to generate a first representation of a card having a first rank and a first suit; 
 (c) displayingcausing the processor to operate with a display device to display the first representation at a location for new cards, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank at the location for new cards and an indicia of the first suit at the location for new cards; 
 (d) receivingcausing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a placement signal, the placement signal indicating a card location of a game set that comprises a plurality of card locations; 
 (e) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the card location of the game set, thereby displaying the indicia of the first rank at the card location of the game set and the indicia of the first suit at the card location of the game set; 
 (f) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigningassign to the first representation at the card location of the game set at least one of (1) a second rank and a second suitseparately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank; 
 (g) displayingif the assignment to the first representation is a second rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the card location of the game set, thereby displaying at least one of an indicia of the assigned second rank at the card location of the game set; 
 (h) receiving at least one ofif the assignment to the first representation is a second suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the card location of the game set, thereby displaying an indicia of the assigned second suitrank at the card location of the game set; 
 (i) receivingcausing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a second request for a card; 
 (j) generatingcausing the processor to generate a second representation of a card having a third rank and a third suit; and 
 (k) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displayingdisplay the second representation of the card at the location for new cards, thereby displaying an indicia of the third rank at the card location for new cards and an indicia of the third suit at the card location for new cards. 
 
     
     
       6. A method comprising:
 (a) generatingcausing a processor to generate a first subject game element having a first classfirst rank and a first suit; 
 (b) displayingcausing the processor to operate with a display device to display the first subject game element at a first locationnew card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first classrank and an indicia of the first suit; 
 (c) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning a second class to the first subject game elementassign to the first subject game element at least one of (1) a second rank separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank; 
 (d) displayingif the assignment to the first subject game element is a second rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first subject game element at a second locationa game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the second classthe assigned second rank at the game set location; 
 (e) if the assignment to the first subject game element is a second suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first subject game element at the game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the assigned second suit at the game set location; 
 (f) generatingcausing the processor to generate a second subject game element having a third classthird rank and a third suit; and 
 (g) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displaying display the second subject game element at the first new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the third class rank at the new card location and an indicia of the third suit at the new card location. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: receiving causing the processor to operate with the display device and an input device to, receive a placement signal; in which displaying the display of the first subject game element at the second game set location comprises: displaying the first subject game element at the second game set location based on the placement signal. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , in which displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to, display the first subject game element at the second game set location comprises: displaying the first subject game element at the second game set location before the expiration of the period of time. 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 (a) displayingcausing a processor to operate with a display device to display a first representation of a card at a first locationnew card location, the first representation including an indicia of a first classrank and an indicia of a first suit; 
 (b) determiningcausing the processor to determine expiration of a period of time; 
 (c) receivingcausing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a placement signal from a player, the placement signal indicating a secondgame set location; 
 (d) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displayingdisplay the first representation at the secondgame set location; 
 (e) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displayingdisplay a second representation of a card at the first locationnew card location, the second representation including an indicia of a second classrank and an indicia of a second suit; 
 (f) causing the processor to, in response to the expiration of the period of time, assigningassign to the first representation at least one of (1) a third class to the first representationrank separately from a third suit and (2) a third suit separately from a third rank; and 
 (g) displayingif the assignment to the first representation is the third rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the game set location, the first representation at the game set location including an indicia ofa display of an indicia of the assigned third classrank; and  
 (h) if the assignment to the first representation is the third suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the game set location, the first representation at the game set location including a display of an indicia of the assigned third suit. 
 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 (a) generatingcausing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first classa first rank and a first suit; 
 (b) displayingcausing the processor to operate with a display device to display the subject game element at a first locationnew card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first classrank and an indicia of the first suit; 
 (c) receivingcausing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second locationgame set location; 
 (d) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second location;game set location, 
 (e) causing the processor to determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (f) displayingif the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location,  
 (g) subject game elementif the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location; and 
 (h) receivingcausing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a signal via a lock button, the signal effective to prevent the subject game element from expiringexpiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location or the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location or the indicia of the first suit at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       11. A method comprising:
 generating a subject game element having a first class;   displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;   receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;   displaying the subject game element at the second location;   displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the first class; and   receiving a signal via a lock button, the signal effective to prevent the first class from expiring.   
     
     
       12. A method comprising:
 generating a subject game element having a first class;   displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;   receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;   displaying the subject game element at the second location;   displaying an indicia representing forthcoming change of the subject game element; and   receiving a signal via a lock button, the signal effective to prevent the subject game element from changing.   
     
     
       13. A method comprising:
 (a) generatingcausing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first classfirst rank and a first suit; 
 (b) displayingcausing the processor to operate with a display device to display the subject game element at a first locationnew card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first classrank and an indicia of the first suit; 
 (c) receivingcausing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second locationgame set location; and  
 (d) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second locationgame set location; and 
 (e) displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the first classcausing the processor to determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (f) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first suit at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and 
 (g) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       14. A method comprising:
 generating a subject game element having a first class;   displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;   receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;   displaying the subject game element at the second location; and   displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the subject game element.   
     
     
       15. A method comprising:
 (a) generatingcausing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first classrank and a first suit; 
 (b) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at a first locationnew card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first classrank and an indicia of the first suit; 
 (c) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning a second classassign to the subject game element at least one of (1) a second rank separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank; 
 (d) receivingcausing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a secondgame set location; and 
 (e) displayingif the assignment to the subject game element is the second rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the secondgame set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the second classsecond rank at the game set location; and 
 (f) if the assignment to the subject game element is the second suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the second suit at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       16. A method comprising:
 (a) generatingcausing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first classa first rank and a first suit; 
 (b) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at a first locationnew card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first classfirst rank and an indicia of the first suit; 
 (c) receivingcausing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second locationgame set location; 
 (d) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second locationgame set location, thereby displaying the indicia of the first classrank at the game set location and the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (e) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning a second class to the subject game elementassign to the subject game element at the game set location at least one of (1) a second rank separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank; and 
 (f) displayingcausing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second locationgame set location, thereby displaying at least one of an indicia of the second classassigned second rank at the game set location and an indicia of the assigned second suit at the game set location. 
 
     
     
       17. A method comprising:
 generating a subject game element having a first class;   displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;   receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;   displaying the subject game element at the second location;   displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the subject game element; and   in response to expiration of a period of time, erasing the subject game element.   
     
     
       18. An apparatus comprising:
 a storage device; and   a processor in communication with the storage device,   the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and   the processor operative with the program to:
 (i) generate a subject game element having a first rank and a first suit; 
 (ii) display the subject game element at a new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank and an indicia of the first suit; 
 (iii) receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a game set location; 
 (iv) display the subject game element at the game set location; 
 (v) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; 
 (vi) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and 
 (vii) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia of the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location. 
   
     
     
       19. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program, said program for directing a device to:
 (i) generate a subject game element having a first rank and a first suit;   (ii) display the subject game element at a location for new cards, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank and an indicia of the first suit;   (iii) receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a game set location;   (iv) display the subject game element at the game set location;   (v) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;   (vi) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and   (vii) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location.