System and method for providing an interactive, clue-based word puzzle
AssigneeKraken 119 Pty Ltd
InventorKenneth Maxwell RAWLINGS
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented puzzle-based game, and more particularly, to a system and method of providing and operating an interactive computer-implemented word-puzzle that is solved by selecting letters, with the assistance of clues, to create words that are linked such that the words contain letters arranged in a corresponding letter sequence.
Claims33
A computer-implemented method for providing a word puzzle, the method including:
- storing, by one or more processors, in an internal database that includes a data structure, a plurality of words that are categorized in the data structure according to the number of letters forming each word thereby enabling the plurality of words to be arranged in groups such that each word in the same group has the same number of letters, wherein:
- each word includes one or more identification clues,
- each word in one group is linked to at least one other word in a different group according to the words having a minimum number of letters arranged in a corresponding sequence,
- each linked word having a letter count that increases sequentially by an increment of one letter from a first linked word associated with a first group of words with a minimum number of letters up to a final linked word associated with a final group of words with a maximum number of letters, each subsequent linked word beyond the first including one additional letter as compared with the preceding linked word, and
- the subsequent linked word including all letters of the preceding linked word with one additional letter at the beginning, internally, or end thereof;
- receiving, by the one or more processors, from one or more user devices, a request to operate a word puzzle;
- selecting, by a game module associated with the one or more processors, for inclusion in the word puzzle, a set of linked words which includes at least a first linked word and a final linked word;
- providing, for display on the one or more user devices, a graphical user interface including:
- empty letter fields associated with a number of words that corresponds with the number of words present in the selected set of linked words, and
- an identification clue associated with one or more of the words included in the selected set of linked words to assist a user to identify each of the words and thereby spell each word by allocating letters to the empty letter fields.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification clues include a numerals, letters, words and/or symbols that assist the user in identifying a word, and include one or more of:
- a dictionary meaning of the word,
- a synonym associated with the word,
- an antonym associated with the word, and
- a visual representation of the word.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, further including:
- determining, based upon the set of linked words selected for inclusion in the puzzle, whether allocation of a particular letter to a particular empty letter field by a user is correct and should therefore be accepted, or incorrect and should therefore be rejected.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface displays the empty letter fields associated with each word from the selected set of linked words sequentially and in separate rows, whereby a first row relates to the word in the selected set of linked words having a minimum number of letters, and there is an incremental increase in letters up to a final row which relates to the word in the selected set of linked words having a maximum number of letters.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user is provided an additional turn if the allocation of a letter to an empty letter field is determined acceptable.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the puzzle is presented to multiple users, and the graphical user interface associated with the user whose turn it is will prompt the user to allocate a letter to an empty letter field.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein selection of a set of a set of linked words for inclusion in the puzzle is random.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is more than one clue set associated with a single set of linked words, and when one or more words in a set of linked words has multiple identification clues associated therewith of varying assistance, a single set of linked words is categorised as having more than one difficulty level, and a clue set is selected based upon a difficulty category pre-selected by the user.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining a winner when there is more than one user competing in the word puzzle, or scoring a user's interaction with a puzzle, is based upon one or more of:
- puzzle completion time;
- completion of a puzzle using a minimum number of turns;
- resignation by one or more opponents;
- and
- difficulty associated with a set of linked words and/or clue set.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display the scoring associated with one or more competing user's interaction with a puzzle, including one or more of:
- a current score;
- a final score;
- a high score;
- a simulated score;
- and
- a leader board.
A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, further including:
- receiving a wager from the user;
- and on conclusion of the puzzle, allocate an award to the user based upon the user being successful in satisfying one or more puzzle requirements.
A system or game controller for providing a word puzzle, the system or game controller including:
- one or more memories, and
- one or more processors operable to:
- store, in an internal database that includes a data structure, a plurality of words that are categorized in the data structure according to the number of letters forming each word thereby enabling the plurality of words to be arranged in groups such that each word in the same group has the same number of letters, wherein:
- each word includes one or more corresponding identification clues,
- each word in one group is linked to at least one other word in a different group according to the words having a minimum number of letters arranged in a corresponding sequence,
- each linked word having a letter count that increases sequentially by an increment of one letter from a first linked word associated with a first group of words with a minimum number of letters up to a final linked word associated with a final group of words with a maximum number of letters, each subsequent linked word beyond the first including one additional letter as compared with the preceding linked word, and
- the subsequent linked word including all letters of the preceding linked word with one additional letter at the beginning, internally, or end thereof;
- receive, from one or more user devices, a request to operate a word puzzle;
- select, for inclusion in the word puzzle, a set of linked words which includes at least a first linked word and a final linked word;
- provide, for display on the one or more user devices, a graphical user interface including:
- empty letter fields associated with a number of words that corresponds with the number of words present in the selected set of linked words which includes the final linked word, and
- an identification clue associated with one or more of the words included in the selected set of linked words to assist a user to identify each of the words and thereby spell each word by allocating letters to the empty letter fields.
A computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors to:
- store, in a database that includes an internal data structure, a plurality of words that are categorized in the data structure according to the number of letters forming each word thereby enabling the plurality of words to be arranged in groups such that each word in the same group has the same number of letters, wherein:
- each word includes one or more corresponding identification clues,
- each word in one group is linked to at least one other word in a different group according to the words having a minimum number of letters arranged in a corresponding sequence,
- each linked word having a letter count that increases sequentially by an increment of one letter from a first linked word associated with a first group of words with a minimum number of letters up to a final linked word associated with a final group of words with a maximum number of letters, each subsequent linked word beyond the first including one additional letter as compared with the preceding linked word, and
- the subsequent linked word including all letters of the preceding linked word with one additional letter at the beginning, internally, or end thereof;
- receive, from one or more user devices, a request to operate a word puzzle;
- select, for inclusion in the word puzzle, a set of linked words which includes at least a first linked word and a final linked word;
- provide, for display on the one or more user devices, a graphical user interface including:
- empty letter fields associated with a number of words that corresponds with the number of words present in the selected set of linked words which includes the final linked word, and
- an identification clue associated with one or more of the words included in the selected set of linked words to assist a user to identify each of the words and thereby spell each word by allocating letters to the empty letter fields.
A gaming machine including:
- a display;
- a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input device including at least one a coin input slot and note collection device;
- meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine;
- a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a user to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game;
- and
- a game controller including a processor and memory storing game program code, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to:
- store, in an internal database that includes a data structure, a plurality of words that are categorized in the data structure according to the number of letters forming each word thereby enabling the plurality of words to be arranged in groups such that each word in the same group has the same number of letters, wherein:
- each word includes one or more corresponding identification clues,
- each word in one group is linked to at least one other word in a different group according to the words having a minimum number of letters arranged in a corresponding sequence,
- each linked word having a letter count that increases sequentially by an increment of one letter from a first linked word associated with a first group of words with a minimum number of letters up to a final linked word associated with a final group of words with a maximum number of letters, each subsequent linked word beyond the first including one additional letter as compared with the preceding linked word, and
- the subsequent linked word including all letters of the preceding linked word with one additional letter at the beginning, internally, or end thereof;
- receive, via the game play mechanism, a request to operate a word puzzle;
- select, for inclusion in the word puzzle using a random puzzle selector, a set of linked words which includes at least a first linked word and a final linked word;
- provide, on the display, a graphical user interface including:
- empty letter fields associated with a number of words that corresponds with the number of words present in the selected set of linked words which includes the final linked word, and
- an identification clue associated with one or more of the words included in the selected set of linked words to assist a user to identify each of the words and thereby spell each word by allocating letters to the empty letter fields.
A gaming device including:
- a display;
- a credit input means operable to establish credits on the gaming device;
- a means of monitoring credits established via the credit input means and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming device;
- a game play mechanism configured for operation by a user to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game;
- and
- a game controller including a processor and memory storing game program code, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to:
- store, in an internal database that includes a data structure, a plurality of words that are categorized in the data structure according to the number of letters forming each word thereby enabling the plurality of words to be arranged in groups such that each word in the same group has the same number of letters, wherein:
- each word includes one or more corresponding identification clues,
- each word in one group is linked to at least one other word in a different group according to the words having a minimum number of letters arranged in a corresponding sequence,
- each linked word having a letter count that increases sequentially by an increment of one letter from a first linked word associated with a first group of words with a minimum number of letters up to a final linked word associated with a final group of words with a maximum number of letters, each subsequent linked word beyond the first including one additional letter as compared with the preceding linked word, and
- the subsequent linked word including all letters of the preceding linked word with one additional letter at the beginning, internally, or end thereof;
- receive, via the game play mechanism, a request to operate a word puzzle;
- select, for inclusion in the word puzzle using a random puzzle selector, a set of linked words which includes at least a first linked word and a final linked word;
- and
- provide, on the display, a graphical user interface including:
- empty letter fields associated with a number of words that corresponds with the number of words present in the selected set of linked words which includes the final linked word, and
- an identification clue associated with one or more of the words included in the selected set of linked words to assist a user to identify each of the words and thereby spell each word by allocating letters to the empty letter fields.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.