U.S. patent application number 10/072401 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-05 for gaming machine with transparent symbol carriers.
Invention is credited to Bucknall, Helen, Crompton, Nigel, Emmett, Amanda, Woodcroft, Craig.
Application Number | 20020123378 10/072401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3826966 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020123378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bucknall, Helen ; et
al. |
September 5, 2002 |
Gaming machine with transparent symbol carriers
Abstract
A method of enhancing a screen display of a gaming machine
includes creating a background scene for a game screen, creating a
plurality of composite symbols to overlie the background scene, and
rendering at least a portion of each composite symbol transparent
to enable the background scene to be viewed through the composite
symbol.
Inventors: |
Bucknall, Helen; (Sydney,
AU) ; Emmett, Amanda; (Sydney, AU) ;
Woodcroft, Craig; (London, GB) ; Crompton, Nigel;
(Sydney, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
620 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SIXTEENTH FLOOR
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
3826966 |
Appl. No.: |
10/072401 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2001 |
AU |
PR2941 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of enhancing a screen display of a gaming machine, the
method including the steps of: creating a background scene for a
game screen; creating a plurality of composite symbols to overlie
the background scene; and rendering at least a portion of each
composite symbol transparent to enable the background scene to be
viewed through the composite symbol.
2. The method of claim 1 which includes rendering a carrier of each
of at least certain of the composite symbols transparent.
3. The method of claim 1 which includes rendering said portion of
each composite symbol transparent by a software implementation.
4. The method of claim 4 which includes setting said portion of
each composite symbol to an appropriate alpha channel value in an
alpha channel range.
5. The method of claim 4 which includes employing an objects based
graphics system for development of the composite symbol with
portions of the composite symbol being rendered opaque.
6. The method of claim 1 which includes creating a representation
of a flashing composite symbol.
7. The method of claim 6 which includes placing a part of the
background scene over the composite symbol and placing a flashing
composite symbol animation on top of the part of the background
scene to provide a flashing composite symbol.
8. The method of claim 6 which includes causing the composite
symbol itself to be flashed on and off directly on top of the
underlying part of the background scene so that the background
scene remains visible and any background animations continue while
the composite symbol flashes.
9. A gaming machine screen display which includes: a background
scene for a game screen; and a plurality of composite symbols which
overlie the background scene, at least a portion of each composite
symbol being transparent to enable the background scene to be
viewed through the composite symbol.
10. The screen display of claim 9 in which a carrier of each of at
least certain of the composite symbols is rendered transparent.
11. The screen display of claim 9 in which said portion of each
composite symbol is rendered transparent by an appropriate
selection of alpha channel value in an alpha channel range.
12. The screen display of claim 9 which comprises a composite image
with the composite symbols overlying the background scene.
13. The screen display of claim 12 which incorporates various
animations.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a gaming machine. More
particularly, the invention relates to a method of enhancing a
screen display of a gaming machine and to a gaming machine screen
display.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Players regularly playing gaming machines quickly tire of
particular games. It is therefore necessary for manufacturers of
these machines to develop innovative game features which add
interest to the games. In so doing, it is hoped to keep players
amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game as well
as to attract new players. Also, with the growth that has occurred
in the gaming machine market, there is intense competition between
manufacturers to supply various existing and new venues. When
selecting a supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a venue
will often pay close attention to the popularity of various games
and their displays with the patrons of the venue. Therefore, gaming
machine manufacturers are keen to devise games and/or gaming
machine features which are popular with the players and which are
also distinguishable from gaming machines of other manufacturers as
a mechanism for improving sales, retaining customers and attracting
new customers.
[0003] These days, particularly with spinning reel type games, the
reels and the symbols carried on the reels used by the various
manufacturers can be very similar to each other and it may be hard
for a player or an operator of a venue to determine, at a glance,
which manufacturer has manufactured a particular machine.
[0004] The invention will be described with reference to a spinning
reel-type game and, more particularly, a video simulation of
spinning reels. It will, however, be appreciated that the invention
is equally applicable to other types of games played on gaming
machines such as card games, bingo game, keno games, or the
like.
[0005] In a video simulation of a spinning reel, a background of a
symbol is opaque to give the appearance of a periphery of a reel.
In a typical screen display, three reel positions are visible for
each reel. Accordingly, symbols are arranged end-to-end to provide
an appearance of an opaque periphery of a reel.
[0006] Technically, in the terminology of gaming machines, a symbol
incorporates a background portion plus an indicium carried on the
background portion. It is the background portion of the symbol that
is opaque to provide the appearance of a part of the periphery of
the reel.
[0007] However, for ease of explanation in this specification, the
term "composite symbol" shall be used with a background portion of
the composite symbol being referred to as a "carrier" and the
indicium arranged on the background portion being referred to as a
"symbol".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of enhancing a screen display of a gaming
machine, the method including the steps of:
[0009] creating a background scene for a game screen;
[0010] creating a plurality of composite symbols to overlie the
background scene; and
[0011] rendering at least a portion of each composite symbol
transparent to enable the background scene to be viewed through the
composite symbol.
[0012] As indicated above, the invention shall be described, for
ease of reference, with reference to a spinning reel type game in
which the screen display embodies a video simulation of a number of
spinning reels. In most gaming machines, the screen display
comprises from three to five spinning reels. Further, as indicated
above, at least three positions are visible in respect of each reel
on the screen display so that a matrix of composite symbol
positions is displayed on the screen. In a typical example, the
screen display comprises a matrix of 3.times.5 composite symbol
positions.
[0013] Typically, the method may include rendering a carrier of
each of at least certain of the composite symbols transparent so
that, with a matrix of composite symbols displayed on the screen
display, an appearance is created that a periphery of each of the
reels is transparent. In so doing, the background scene, applied to
the game screen is visible through said transparent carriers of
each of the composite symbols.
[0014] The method may include rendering the portion of each
composite symbol transparent by an appropriate software
implementation. In articular, the method may include setting the
portion of each composite symbol to an appropriate alpha channel
value in an alpha channel range.
[0015] Accordingly, the method may include employing an objects
based graphics system for development of the composite symbol with
portions of the composite symbol being rendered opaque.
[0016] Further, it will be appreciated that, in use, when a
composite symbol forms part of a prize winning combination it
flashes.
[0017] Hence, the method may include creating a representation of a
flashing composite symbol.
[0018] The method may include placing a part of the background
scene over the composite symbol and placing a flashing composite
symbol animation on top of the part of the background scene to
provide a flashing composite symbol. Instead, the method may cause
the actual composite symbol itself to be flashed on and off
directly on top of the underlying part of the background scene so
that the background scene remains visible and any background
animations, if applicable, continue while the composite symbol
flashes.
[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine screen display which includes:
[0020] a background scene for a game screen; and
[0021] a plurality of composite symbols which overlie the
background scene, at least a portion of each composite symbol being
transparent to enable the background scene to be viewed through the
composite symbol.
[0022] A carrier of each of at least certain of the composite
symbols may be rendered transparent. The portion of each composite
symbol may be rendered transparent by an appropriate selection of
alpha channel value in an alpha channel range.
[0023] The screen display may comprise a composite image with the
composite symbols overlying the background scene.
[0024] The screen display may incorporate various animations,
either in the background scene, in the composite symbols themselves
or in a foreground part of the screen display where the animations
interact with particular composite symbols of the screen
display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention is now described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
[0026] In the drawings,
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional view of a gaming machine,
including a screen display in accordance with the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the
gaming machine;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a background part of a screen display forming
part of the gaming machine of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a screen display including some composite
symbols;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a screen display including all the composite
symbol visible at any one time;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a selection of composite symbols forming part
of the screen display, in use, together with their associated
transparent carriers; and
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a manner of implementing the
screen display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a
gaming machine, including a game, in accordance with the invention.
The machine 10 includes a console 12 having a video display unit 14
on which a game 16 is played, in use. The game 16 is a spinning
reel game which simulates the rotation of a number of spinning
reels 18. A midtrim 20 of the machine 10 houses a bank 22 of
buttons for enabling a player to play the game 16. The midtrim 20
also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input
chute 24.1 and a bill collector 24.2. The machine 10 includes a top
box 26 on which artwork 28 is carried. The artwork 28 includes
paytables, details of bonus awards, etc.
[0035] A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash
payouts from the machine 10.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a control means or
control circuit 40 is illustrated. A program which implements the
game and user interface is run on a processor 42 of the control
circuit 40. The processor 42 forms part of a controller 44 which
drives the screen of the video display unit 14 and which receives
input signals from sensors 46. The sensors 46 include sensors
associated with the bank 22 of buttons and touch sensors mounted in
the screen. The controller 44 also receives input pulses from the
mechanism 24 to determine whether or not a player has provided
sufficient credit to commence playing. The mechanism 24 may,
instead of the coin input chute 24.1 or the bill collector 24.2, or
in addition thereto, be a credit card reader (not shown) or any
other type of validation device.
[0037] Finally, the controller 44 drives a payout mechanism 48
which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the
coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes
to redeem his or her credits.
[0038] To develop a screen display for the gaming machine 10 an
objects based graphics system is used. The objects based graphics
system makes use of an audiovisual library or media file. Each game
16 played on the gaming machine 10 has its own audio visual library
file from which a developer of a program to implement the game
obtains characters for use on composite symbols which are dedicated
to that particular game.
[0039] In order to enhance the appearance of a screen display 50
(FIGS. 3 to 5) of a game 16 played on the gaming machine 10, a
background scene or image 52 is created. For example, for the
applicant's Flaming Arrow.TM. game (Flaming Arrow is a trade mark
of the Applicant), the background scene 52 is part of a castle.
[0040] Composite symbols for use with the particular game are then
created. A selection of the symbols for use in the Flaming
Arrow.TM. game is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Each composite
symbol 54 includes a carrier 56 and a symbol 58.
[0041] For each composite symbol 54, the carrier 56 is selected to
have an alpha channel value which renders it at least partly
transparent. Alpha channel values generally lie in a range between
0 and 255. For a completely transparent carrier 56, an alpha
channel value of 255 is selected. If it is desired that the carrier
56 have a degree of translucence a lower alpha channel value can be
selected.
[0042] It will be appreciated that, in FIG. 6 of the drawings,
although the carrier 56 of each composite symbol 54 is shown as
black, it is, as described above, transparent.
[0043] Once the composite symbols 54 have been generated with their
appropriate alpha channel values for the carriers 56, various
feature animations etc. are created in accordance with standard
game development procedure.
[0044] The feature animations, composite symbols 54 with their
appropriate alpha channel values and background scene 52 are merged
into an audiovisual library (AVL) media file.
[0045] The AVL media file is then added to the software developed
for the particular game.
[0046] In this software, an alpha mode is enabled so that the alpha
channel value of the composite symbols 54 is taken into
consideration by the AVL when displaying the composite symbols
54.
[0047] If the alpha channel value of each composite symbol 54
indicates that the symbol has a transparency component, that part
of each composite symbol 54 will be transparent.
[0048] It will be appreciated that, for a spinning reel game, the
composite symbols 54 are arranged end-to-end to form the reels 18
of the game 16. With the transparent carrier 56 of each composite
symbol 54, an appearance of a reel 18 with a transparent periphery
is created so that the underlying background scene 52 is visible
through the transparent carriers 56 of the composite symbols
54.
[0049] Once the alpha mode has been enabled, the background scene
52 is added to the main game screen by appropriate programming.
[0050] Reel symbol animation is then carried out. Reel symbol
animation is applicable when a particular composite symbol 54 of
one of the reels 18 forms part of a winning combination. Normally,
when a symbol of a spinning reel game forms part of a winning
combination, that symbol flashes.
[0051] In most cases the reel symbol animation can simply involve
the relevant composite symbols 54 flashing on and off. Each
composite symbol forming part of the winning combination could also
animate, for example, with a moving image or could simply fade on
and off bearing in mind that a background 52 is now in place.
Instead, a part of the background scene could be applied to overlie
the relevant composite symbol 54 with the flashing symbol animation
then being placed over the top of the overlying part of the
background scene to flash to represent the winning composite
symbols 54. Instead, the actual composite symbol 54 may simply
flash as described above. An example of this is shown in FIG. 4 of
the drawings where some of the composite symbols are shown in an
"off" condition so as to be, effectively, invisible with the
background scene 52 then being visible where the composite symbols
54 are in their "off" conditions.
[0052] Payline indicators 60 are shown in FIG. 5 of the
drawings.
[0053] The game feature code and a game binary are implemented
using standard game programming procedures.
[0054] The game feature code can include animations associated with
the composite symbols 54. Once again, using the applicant's Flaming
Arrow.TM. game as an example, an archer shoots flaming arrows at
the composite symbols 54 causing them to ignite and various bonuses
or features may be awarded in respect of such "burning" composite
symbols 54. The operation of the Flaming Arrows game is discussed
in greater detail in the applicant's international patent
application number PCT/AU00/01233 which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0055] In addition, other animations may occur either behind the
composite symbols 54 in the background scene 52 or in the
foreground of the composite symbols 54.
[0056] It will be appreciated that the manner in which the images
are composited depends on the priorities assigned to those images.
Thus, the background scene 52 has a lower priority than the
composite symbols 54 so is, effectively, at a greater "depth" than
the composite symbols 54. Similarly, a label 62 (FIG. 4)
designating the denomination of the game has a higher priority than
the composite symbol 54 so that it is in the foreground and is
always visible.
[0057] It is an advantage of the invention that a game screen
display 50 is provided which greatly enhances the appearance of the
game 16 played on the gaming machine 10. Not only does this provide
a more attractive appearance to the game screen display 50 but also
enables an operator or a player to determine whose gaming machine
10 is being played by players at a particular venue.
[0058] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *