Gaming machine performing real-time 3D rendering of gaming events

• US 20040053686A1
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Casey, Michael P., Pacey, Larry J., Gilmore, Jason C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,454,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A gaming machine uses mathematical modeling and graphical displays to provide players with realistic depictions of gaming activities for wagering. Three-dimensional mathematical models are used to simulate real-world interactions of physical objects, with a display showing the player a visual representation of the game interactions. By providing the player with a realistic depiction of real-world gaming activities, a gaming machine according to the present invention involves the player in the wagered-upon activity to a greater extent than traditional gaming machines.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

means for receiving a wager;

a system memory containing physical object data and simulation rule data;

a display;

a central processor for processing said physical object data and said simulation world data to produce a realistic depiction of gaming activity on said display; and

means for awarding a payoff based on an outcome of said gaming activity.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a 3D processor interacting with said central processor to facilitate the production of said real-world gaming activity on said display.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1 where said physical object data includes data relating to the mass and dimensions of at least one simulated object.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said simulation rule data includes data relating to a simulated gaming world and data relating to rules for interaction between said physical object data and said simulated gaming world data.

5. The gaming machine of claim 4 wherein said gaming machine is adapted to display three-dimensional simulations of gaming activities.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said processor is adapted to firstly use said physical object data and said simulation rule data to mathematically model said gaming activity and to secondly enable the display of said realistic depiction on said display.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said gaming activity is a sport and said physical object data relates to one or more participants in said sport.

8. A method of operating a gaming machine comprising:

accepting a wager;

accessing physical object data;

accessing simulation rule data;

mathematically modeling game actions of one or more physical objects within a simulation world using said physical object data and said simulation rule data;

displaying a visual depiction of said game actions;

determining if said game actions meet winning conditions; and

awarding a payoff if said game actions meet winning conditions.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising accessing motion capture data and using said motion capture data while displaying said visual depiction.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein mathematically modeling game actions includes mathematically modeling sports actions.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein mathematically modeling game actions comprises applying said simulation rule data to said physical object data to result in a realistic mathematical model of real-world physical object interactions.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising defining said physical object data by mathematically representing physical qualities of real-world objects.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising defining said simulation world data by mathematically representing real-world physical principles.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising computationally altering said game actions to cause predefined probabilities of certain game actions.

15. A method of operating a gaming machine comprising:

accepting a wager;

simultaneously simulating and displaying in real time an interaction of simulated physical objects using a representation of three-dimensional forms;

determining an outcome of said interaction; and

awarding a payoff if said outcome meets winning criteria.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein simultaneously simulating and displaying an interaction of physical objects comprises using simulation rule data to determine an interaction of simulated physical objects modeled using physical object data.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising comparing said outcome of said interaction to a set of predefined outcomes to determination of whether said outcome meets winning criteria.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein simultaneously simulating and displaying said interaction comprises implementing a physics engine with a combination of a central processing unit and a 3D processor.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein simultaneously simulating and displaying said interaction comprises simulating and displaying a casino-style game selected from the group consisting of roulette, craps, slots, cards, and wheel of fortune.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein simultaneously simulating and displaying said interaction comprises simulating and displaying a sports game.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said sports game is selected from the group consisting of baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, football, bowling, and racing.

22. A method of operating a gaming machine comprising:

accepting a wager;

implementing a physics engine using physical object data and simulation rule data to numerically simulate an interaction of physical objects, thereby creating a simulated interaction;

rendering a visual display of said simulated interaction using a two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional forms;

determining an outcome of said interaction; and

awarding a payoff if said outcome meets winning criteria.