Author: claimsbot

1. A method comprising:
composing, by a data processor, first uplink pilot signals and a second uplink pilot signal;
transmitting, by at least one transmitter, the first uplink pilot signals during sub-bands and slots of a time-frequency resource space, wherein at least three first portions of the time-frequency resource space (a first long block 1 (LB1), a first long block 2 (LB2) and a first long block 3 (LB3)) are reserved for the first uplink pilot signals, wherein the first LB1 and the first LB2 comprise in-band pilot signals transmitted using a dedicated pilot code; and
transmitting, by the at least one transmitter, the second uplink pilot signal during a second portion of the time-frequency resource space (a second long block 3 (LB3)) using a frequency hopping pattern and a pilot code allocation that are based on a slot and a sub-band in which the first LB3 is transmitted.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency hopping pattern for the second LB3 is based on parameters comprising: L=length of the hopping pattern and y=hopping pattern index (1 . . . L), wherein z=slot index (1 . . . L), and wherein the hopping pattern (z)=rem(z\u22121+(y\u22121),L)+1.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency hopping pattern (X) for the second LB3 meets the following criterion:
X(R)=B,
where
B=first active sub-band; and
R=first active slot.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dedicated pilot code comprises a code in a code list.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein codes in the code list comprise cyclic shifts of a constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) code.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the uplink comprises a universal terrestrial radio access network-long term evolution (UTRAN-LTE) uplink, and wherein a channel quality indication rate for at least the second uplink pilot signal is constrained.
7. A tangible computer-readable medium that stores program instructions, execution of the program instructions by a processor resulting in operations comprising:
composing first uplink pilot signals and a second uplink pilot signal;
transmitting the first uplink pilot signals during sub-bands and slots of a time-frequency resource space, wherein at least three first portions of the time-frequency resource space (a first long block 1 (LB1), a first long block 2 (LB2) and a first long block 3 (LB3)) are reserved for the first uplink pilot signals, wherein the first LB1 and the first LB2 comprise in-band pilot signals transmitted using a dedicated pilot code; and
transmitting the second uplink pilot signal during a second portion of the time-frequency resource space (a second long block 3 (LB3)) using a frequency hopping pattern and a pilot code allocation that are based on a slot and a sub-band in which the first LB3 is transmitted.
8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the frequency hopping pattern for the second LB3 is based on parameters comprising: L=length of the hopping pattern and y=hopping pattern index (1 . . . L), wherein z=slot index (1 . . . L), and wherein the hopping pattern (z)=rem(z\u22121+(y\u22121),L)+1.
9. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the frequency hopping pattern (X) for the second LB3 meets the following criterion:
X(R)=B,
where
B=first active sub-band; and
R=first active slot.
10. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the dedicated pilot code comprises a code in a code list.
11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein codes in the code list comprise cyclic shifts of a constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) code.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the uplink comprises a universal terrestrial radio access network-long term evolution (UTRAN-LTE) uplink, and wherein a channel quality indication rate for at least the second uplink pilot signal is constrained.
13. An apparatus comprising:
a data processor configured to compose first uplink pilot signals and a second uplink pilot signal; and
a transmitter configured to transmit the first uplink pilot signals during sub-bands and slots of a time-frequency resource space, wherein at least three portions of the time-frequency resource space (a first long block 1 (LB1), a first long block 2 (LB2) and a first long block 3 (LB3)) are reserved for the first uplink pilot signals, wherein the first LB1 and the first LB2 comprise in-band pilot signals transmitted using a dedicated pilot code, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a the second uplink pilot signal during a second portion of the time-frequency resource space (a second long block 3 (LB3)) using a frequency hopping pattern and a pilot code allocation that are based on a slot and a sub-band in which the first LB3 is transmitted.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the frequency hopping pattern for the second LB3 is based on parameters comprising: L=length of the hopping pattern and y=hopping pattern index (1 . . . L), wherein z=slot index (1 . . . L), and wherein the hopping pattern (z)=rem(z\u22121+(y\u22121),L)+1.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the frequency hopping pattern (X) for the second LB3 meets the following criterion:
X(R)=B,
where
B=first active sub-band; and
R=first active slot.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the dedicated pilot code comprises a code in a code list.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein codes in the code list comprise cyclic shifts of a constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) code.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the uplink comprises a universal terrestrial radio access network-long term evolution (UTRAN-LTE) uplink, and wherein a channel quality indication rate for at least the second uplink pilot signal is constrained.
19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile phone.
20. The apparatus of claim 13, embodied at least partially in an integrated circuit.
21. An apparatus comprising:
processing means for composing first uplink pilot signals and a second uplink pilot signal; and
transmitting means for transmitting the first uplink pilot signals during sub-bands and slots of a time-frequency resource space, wherein at least three portions of the time-frequency resource space (a first long block 1 (LB1), a first long block 2 (LB2) and a first long block 3 (LB3)) are reserved for the first uplink pilot signals, wherein the first LB1 and the first LB2 comprise in-band pilot signals transmitted using a dedicated pilot code, wherein the transmitting means is further for transmitting the second uplink pilot signal during a second portion of the time-frequency resource space (a second long block 3 (LB3)) using a frequency hopping pattern and a pilot code allocation that are based on a slot and a sub-band in which the first LB3 is transmitted.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing means comprises a data processor and the transmitting means comprises at least one transmitter or at least one transceiver.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the frequency hopping pattern for the second LB3 is based on parameters comprising: L=length of the hopping pattern and y=hopping pattern index (1 . . . L), wherein z=slot index (1 . . . L), and wherein the hopping pattern (z)=rem(z\u22121+(y\u22121),L)+1.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the frequency hopping pattern (X) for the second LB3 meets the following criterion:
X(R)=B,
where
B=first active sub-band; and
R=first active slot.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the dedicated pilot code comprises a code in a code list, wherein codes in the code list comprise cyclic shifts of a constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) code.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of designing a circuit, comprising:
annotating relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design;
converting said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
routing said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit;
wherein annotating includes annotating relative pin positions within said standard cell design;
wherein annotating includes altering a relative position of a pin to facilitate dense signal line routine within said standard cell design; and
wherein annotating said relative pin position includes specifying a pin perimeter position, a pin column, a pin track, and a pin metal layer for a pin.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein annotating relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells includes altering a relative position of an instantiated hierarchical macro cell to form a more compact standard cell configuration.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein altering a relative position of an instantiated hierarchical macro cell alters positions of standard cells associated with said instantiated hierarchical macro cell.
4. A method of designing a circuit, comprising:
annotating relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design;
converting said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
routing said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit;
wherein annotating relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells includes annotating individual standard cells contained within said instantiated hierarchical macro cells; and
wherein annotating said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells includes specifying a row offset, a column offset, and a stack offset for each individual standard cell contained within said instantiated hierarchical macro cells.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein annotating includes annotating relative pin positions within said standard cell design.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein annotating includes altering a relative position of a pin to facilitate dense signal line routing within said standard cell design.
7. A method of designing a circuit, comprising:
annotating relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design;
converting said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
routing said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit;
wherein said converting includes forming a grid assigned circuit specifying bit slice datapaths.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said converting includes specifying a bit slice datapath including multiple standard cell instances, each standard cell instance being positionally defined by a column position, a row position, and a stack position.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising verifying the performance of said routed circuit.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising selectively repeating said annotating, converting, and placing and routing in response to said verifying.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein said converting forms a grid assigned circuit that is a placed circuit.
12. A computer system, comprising:
a standard cell layout generation tool to produce an initial design of standard cells;
a relative position annotation module to facilitate the annotation of relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells and pins within said initial design; and
an absolute position assignment module to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit;
wherein said relative position annotation module facilitates the alteration of a relative position of an instantiated hierarchical macro cell to form a more compact standard cell configuration;
wherein said relative position annotation module facilitates the annotation of individual standard cell cells by row offset, column offset, and stack offset.
13. The computer system of claim 12 further comprising:
a circuit verifier to verify performance of a routed circuit derived from said grid assigned circuit.
14. The computer system of claim 13 further comprising a criteria verification module to invoke said relative position annotation module when specified circuit performance is not met.
15. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said relative position annotation module facilitates the alteration of a pin position to facilitate dense signal line routing within said standard cells.
16. A computer system, comprising:
a standard cell layout generation tool to produce an initial design of standard cells;
a relative position annotation module to facilitate the annotation of relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells and pins within said initial design, wherein said relative position annotation module facilitates the annotation of a pin by pin perimeter position, pin column, pin track, and pin metal layer; and
an absolute position assignment module to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit.
17. The computer system of claim 16 wherein said relative position annotation module tracks the relative positions of individual standard cells contained within said instantiated hierarchical macro cells.
18. A computer system, comprising:
a standard cell layout generation tool to produce an initial design of standard cells;
a relative position annotation module to facilitate the annotation of relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells and pins within said initial design;
an absolute position assignment module to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit, wherein said absolute position assignment module forms a grid assigned placed circuit specifying routed bit slice datapaths.
19. The computer system of claim 18 wherein said absolute position assignment module forms a bit slice datapath including multiple standard cell instances, each standard cell instance being positionally defined by a column position, a row position, and a stack position.
20. A computer readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
first instructions to annotate relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design, wherein said first instructions include instructions to facilitate the annotation of relative pin positions within said standard cell design;
second instructions to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
third instructions to route said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit.
21. The computer readable medium of claim 20 wherein said first instructions include instructions to facilitate the altering of a relative position of an instantiated hierarchical macro cell to form a more compact standard cell design.
22. A computer readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
first instructions to annotate relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design, wherein said first instructions include instructions to facilitate the specification of a pin perimeter position, a pin column, a pin track, and a pin metal layer for a pin;
second instructions to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
third instructions to route said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit.
23. The computer readable medium of claim 22 wherein said first instructions include instructions to track the relative positions of individual standard cells contained within said instantiated hierarchical macro cells.
24. A computer readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
first instructions to annotate relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design, wherein said first instructions include instructions to track the relative positions of individual standard cells contained within said instantiated hierarchical macro cells, and wherein said first instructions include instructions to facilitate the specification of a row offset, a column offset, and a stack offset for individual standard cells contained within said instantiated hierarchical macro cells;
second instructions to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
third instructions to route said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit.
25. A computer readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
first instructions to annotate relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design;
second instructions to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit, wherein said second instructions include instructions to form a grid assigned placed circuit specifying bit slice datapaths; and
third instructions to route said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit.
26. The computer readable medium of claim 25 wherein said first instructions include instructions to facilitate the altering of a relative position of a pin to facilitate dense signal line routing within said standard cell design.
27. A computer readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
first instructions to annotate relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design;
second instructions to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit, wherein said second instructions include instructions to form a grid assigned placed circuit specifying bit slice datapaths, and wherein said second instructions include instructions to form a bit slice datapath including multiple standard cell instances, each standard cell instance being positionally defined by a column position, a row position, and a stack position; and
third instructions to route said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit.
28. The computer readable medium of claim 27 further comprising fourth instructions to verify the performance of said routed circuit.
29. A computer readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
first instructions to annotate relative positions of instantiated hierarchical macro cells within a standard cell design;
second instructions to convert said relative positions of said instantiated hierarchical macro cells to absolute grid position locations to form a grid assigned circuit; and
third instructions to route said grid assigned circuit to form a routed circuit;
fourth instructions to verify the performance of said routed circuit; and
fifth instructions to invoke the operation of said first instructions, said second instructions, and said third instructions when specified circuit performance is not met.

What is claimed is:

1. A speaker system comprising:
a speaker having an imaginary ground therein to which a fixed part thereof is attached; and
a supporting means for supporting said speaker.
2. A speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said speaker is detachably attached to said supporting means.
3. A speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said speaker is exchangeable between different types of said supporting means.
4. A speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said supporting means includes suspending means for suspending said speaker in midair.
5. A speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said imaginary ground comprises a rod attached to said fixed part.
6. a speaker, comprising:
a main speaker part; and
a case for containing and holding said main speaker part therein;
said main part comprising
a peripheral portion of a front side attached to a peripheral portion of said case surrounding a hole formed in the front of said case; and
a rod attached to a rear side thereof for functioning as an imaginary ground.
7. A speaker as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
said peripheral portion of a front side is attached to a peripheral portion of said case by placing a gasket cushion between both of said peripheral portions.
8. A speaker as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
said rod has enough mass for functioning as an imaginary ground; and
one tip surface of said rod is operatively attached to an inner wall of a rear portion of said case.
9. A speaker as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
said tip surface of said rod is attached to said inner wall by placing a gasket cushion therebetween.
10. A speaker as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
said mass of said rod is set to be more than that of said speaker main part.
11. A speaker as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
said case comprises a curved inner surface for substantially preventing generation of standing waves.
12. A speaker as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
said curved surface is part of a shape resembling an egg shell, a cylinder, a cocoon or a peanut.
13. A support for supporting a speaker having an imaginary ground therein, said support comprising:
a supporting means of a structure and a material to substantially prevent a transmission of a vibration generated inside said speaker.
14. A support as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said supporting means supports said speaker at a nodal portion thereof to prevent a transmission of a vibration therethrough.
15. A support as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said supporting means comprises a frame having the shape of a regular or a triangular pyramid with multiple side edges and filaments extending from selected apexes of said side edges.
16. A support as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said supporting means comprises a plate having a hole formed therein, for holding said speaker inserted therein by placing a cushion between them.
17. A support as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said supporting means comprises a pedestal for supporting said speaker to point slightly upward.
18. A speaker assembly, comprising:
a) a casing comprising a curved inner surface for minimizing generation of standing waves, said casing having a front portion with a hole formed therein and a rear portion opposite said hole;
b) a main speaker part comprising:
a fixed part comprising
a frame and a magnet, and

a movable part comprising
a voice coil and a vibration plate;
said main speaker part having a rear surface and being
operatively attached to said casing adjacent said hole; and

c) a rod situated within said casing, said rod interconnecting said rear surface of said main speaker part with said rear part of said casing.
19. The speaker assembly of claim 18, wherein said rear part of said casing has a socket formed therein to supportively receive an end of said rod.
20. The speaker assembly of claim 18, wherein said rod provides a substantially inflexible substrate for resisting vibration of the fixed part of said main speaker part.
21. The speaker assembly of claim 18, wherein said rod has a mass which is larger than the mass of the main speaker part.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A gaming device comprising:
a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein the plurality of said locations form a path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path;
a display device operable to display said symbol and the locations; and
a processor operable with the display device to cause the symbol to move to at least one location along the path toward the first location, relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, terminate the movement of the symbol if the symbol moves to the first location, and provide a player an award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to the first location.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of said locations along the path.
3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein said processor is operable to relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path toward the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
5. A gaming device comprising:
a game operable upon a wager by a player;
a plurality of locations, which includes a first location, wherein the plurality of said locations form a path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path; and
a triggering event associated with said game, wherein after the occurrence of said triggering event the symbol is moved to at least one location along the path toward the first location, the symbol is relocated to one of the locations along the path further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, the symbol movement terminates if the symbol is moved to the first location, and the player is provided an award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to the first location.
6. The gaming device of claim 5, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path.
7. The gaming device of claim 6, wherein the symbol is relocated to one of the locations toward the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
8. The gaming device of claim 5, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
9. A gaming device comprising:
a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein the plurality of said locations form a path;
a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of said locations;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path;
a display device operable to display said symbol and the locations; and
a processor operable with the display device to cause the symbol to move to at least one location along the path toward the first location, provide a player any award associated with the location of the symbol, relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition and terminate the movement of the symbol if the symbol moves to the first location.
10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the processor is operable to provide the player at least one award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to.
11. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the processor is operable to provide the player at least one award based on the number of different locations the symbol is moved to.
12. The gaming device of claim 9, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of said locations along the path.
13. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein said processor is operable to relocate the symbol to one of the locations toward the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
14. The gaming device of claim 9, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
15. A gaming device comprising:
a primary game operable upon a wager by a player;
a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein the plurality of said locations form a path;
a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of said locations along the path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path; and
a triggering event associated with said primary game, wherein after the occurrence of said triggering event the symbol is moved to at least one location along the path toward the first location, the player is provided any award associated with the location of the symbol, the symbol is relocated to one of the locations along the path further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, and the symbol movement terminates if the symbol is moved to the first location.
16. The gaming device of claim 15, wherein at least one award is provided to the player based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to.
17. The gaming device of claim 15, wherein at least one award is provided to the player based on the number of different locations the symbol is moved to.
18. The gaming device of claim 15, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one location along the path.
19. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the symbol is relocated to one of the locations toward the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
20. The gaming device of claim 15, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
21. A gaming device comprising:
a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein the plurality of said locations form a path;
a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of locations along the path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path;
a display device operable to display said symbol and the locations; and
a processor operable with the display device to cause the symbol to move to at least one location along the path toward the first location, relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, terminate the movement of the symbol if the symbol moves to the first location, and provide a player a total award based on any award associated with any of the locations the symbol is moved to and the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to the first location.
22. The gaming device of claim 21, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of said locations along the path.
23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein said processor is operable to relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path toward the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
24. The gaming device of claim 21, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of said locations along the path.
25. A gaming device comprising:
a game operable upon a wager by a player;
a plurality of locations, which includes a first location, wherein the plurality of said locations form a path;
a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of said locations along the path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path; and
a triggering event associated with said game, wherein after the occurrence of said triggering event the symbol is moved to at least one location along the path toward the first location, the symbol is relocated to one of the locations along the path further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, the symbol movement terminates if the symbol is moved to the first location, and the player is provided a total award based on any award associated with any of the locations the symbol is moved to and the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to the first location.
26. The gaming device of claim 25, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of the locations along the path.
27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the symbol is relocated to one of the locations toward the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
28. The gaming device of claim 25, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
29. A gaming device comprising:
a first location;
a second location;
a plurality of locations including a plurality of locations which form a path between said first location and said second location;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one location along the path;
a display device operable to display said symbol and the locations; and
a processor operable with the display device to cause the symbol to move to different locations along the path from the first location toward the second location, relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path toward the first location and further from the second location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, terminate the movement of the symbol if the symbol moves to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location, and provide a player an award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location.
30. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of locations are between said first location and said second location.
31. The gaming device of claim 29, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of said locations along the path.
32. The gaming device of claim 31, wherein said processor is operable to relocate the symbol to one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
33. The gaming device of claim 29, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of said locations along the path.
34. A gaming device comprising:
a primary game operable upon a wager by a player;
a first location;
a second location;
a plurality of locations, wherein a plurality of said locations form a path between said first location and said second location;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one location along the path; and
a triggering event associated with said primary game, wherein after the occurrence of said triggering event the symbol is moved from the first location to one of the locations along the path toward the second location, the symbol is relocated to one of the locations along the path toward the first location and further from the second location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, the symbol is moved to another one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location wherein the movement of the symbol terminates if the symbol is moved to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location, and the player is provided an award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location.
35. The gaming device of claim 34, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one location along the path.
36. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the symbol is relocated to one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
37. The gaming device of claim 34, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
38. A gaming device comprising:
a first location;
a second location;
a plurality of locations, wherein a plurality of said locations form a path between said first location and said second location;
a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of said locations along the path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one location along the path;
a display device operable to display said symbol and the locations; and
a processor operable with the display device to cause the symbol to move to different locations along the path from the first location toward the second location, provide a player any award associated with the location of the symbol, relocate the symbol to one of the locations along the path toward the first location and further from the second location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, and terminate the movement of the symbol if the symbol moves to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location.
39. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the processor is operable to provide the player at least one award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to.
40. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the processor is operable to provide the player at least one award based on the number of different locations the symbol is moved to.
41. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein each of said plurality of locations are between said first location and said second location.
42. The gaming device of claim 38, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one of said locations along the path.
43. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein said processor is operable to relocate the symbol to one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
44. The gaming device of claim 38, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of said locations along the path.
45. A gaming device comprising:
a primary game operable upon a wager by a player;
a first location;
a second location;
a plurality of locations, wherein a plurality of said locations form a path between said first location and said second location;
a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of said locations along the path;
at least one symbol adapted to make a plurality of moves to a plurality of the locations;
at least one setback condition associated with at least one location along the path; and
a triggering event associated with said primary game, wherein after the occurrence of said triggering event the symbol is moved along the path from the first location to one of the locations toward the second location, the player is provided any award associated with the location of the symbol, the symbol is relocated to one of the locations along the path toward the first location and further from the second location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the setback condition, and the symbol is moved to another one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location wherein the movement of the symbol terminates if the symbol is moved to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location.
46. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein at least one award is provided to the player based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to.
47. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein at least one award is provided to the player based on the number of different locations the symbol is moved to.
48. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes at least one advance condition associated with at least one location along the path.
49. The gaming device of claim 48, wherein the symbol is relocated to one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location if the symbol moves to the location associated with the advance condition.
50. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes a plurality of setback conditions associated with a plurality of the locations along the path.
51. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein a plurality of said locations along a path are each associated with an award and at least one location is associated with a setback condition;
(b) determining movement of a player symbol along the path toward the first location;
(c) relocating said symbol from the first location if said setback condition is associated with the location of the player symbol;
(d) repeating steps (b) to (c) until the symbol is moved to the first location; and
(e) providing a player an award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol is moved to the first location.
52. The method of claim 51, which includes the step of relocating the player symbol to one of the locations toward the first location if an advance condition is associated with the location of the player symbol.
53. The method of claim 51, which is operated through a data network.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the data network includes an internet.
55. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein a plurality of said locations along a path are each associated with an award and at least one location is associated with a setback condition;
(b) determining movement of a player symbol along the path toward the first location;
(c) providing a player any award associated with the location of the player symbol;
(d) relocating said symbol further from the first location if said setback condition is associated with the location of the player symbol; and
(e) repeating steps (b) to (d) until the symbol is moved to the first location.
56. The method of claim 55, which includes the step of relocating the player symbol to one of the locations toward the first location if an advance condition is associated with the location of the player symbol.
57. The method of claim 55, which is operated through a data network.
58. The method of claim 57, wherein the data network includes an internet.
59. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a plurality of locations including a first location, wherein a plurality of said locations along a path are each associated with an award and at least one location is associated with a setback condition;
(b) determining movement of a player symbol along the path toward the first location;
(c) relocating said symbol further from the first location if said setback condition is associated with the location of the player symbol;
(d) repeating steps (b) to (c) until the symbol is moved to the first location; and
(e) providing a player an award based on any award associated with any of the locations the symbol is moved to and the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol moves to the first location.
60. The method of claim 59, which includes the step of relocating the player symbol to one of the locations toward the first location if an advance condition is associated with the location of the player symbol.
61. The method of claim 59, which is operated through a data network.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein the data network includes an internet.
63. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a first location, a second location and a plurality of locations along a path between said first location and said second location, wherein a plurality of said locations are each associated with an award and at least one location is associated with a setback condition;
(b) determining movement of a player symbol along the path from the first location and toward the second location;
(c) relocating said symbol toward the first location and further from the second location if said setback condition is associated with the location of the player symbol;
(d) repeating steps (b) to (c) until the symbol is moved to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location; and
(e) providing a player an award based on the number of locations the symbol is moved to before the symbol is moved to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location.
64. The method of claim 63, which includes the step of relocating the player symbol to one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location if an advance condition is associated with the location of the player symbol.
65. The method of claim 63, which is operated through a data network.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the data network includes an internet.
67. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a first location, a second location and a plurality of locations along a path between said first location and said second location, wherein a plurality of said locations are each associated with an award and at least one location is associated with a setback condition;
(b) determining movement of a player symbol along the path from the first location and toward the second location;
(c) providing a player any award associated with the location of the player symbol;
(d) relocating said symbol toward the first location and further from the second location if said setback condition is associated with the location of the player symbol; and
(e) repeating steps (b) to (d) until the symbol is moved to one of the locations that is not between the first location and the second location.
68. The method of claim 67, which includes the step of relocating the player symbol to one of the locations toward the second location and further from the first location if an advance condition is associated with the location of the player symbol.
69. The method of claim 67, which is operated through a data network.
70. The method of claim 69, wherein the data network includes an internet.