Gaming system having selective synchronized multiple video streams for composite display at the gaming machine

• US 20050020358A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Incorporated (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Incorporated (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Inventors: Cram, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

A plurality of electronic gaming machines are interconnected over a network to a central computer. Each gaming machine generates a composite video signal formed from at least two video signals. A first video signal carries game graphics information for generating at least a still graphics display which moves at selected times during play of the game. A second video signal carries video information for generating a moving video display. The two video signals are combined in accordance with key color information, which is carried by the first video signal. The combining is selectively controlled by the central computer. The central computer may also select which one of a number of second video signals may be combined with the first video signal. The central computer may also select a particular key color from a plurality of key colors defined in said key color information so as to control where on the display unit that the combining takes effect.

Claims

1. A method of creating amusement with a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each having a video display unit and each interconnected by a network to a central authority, comprising:

generating a first video signal in one of said gaming machines having

(i) game graphics information corresponding to an amusement theme, said graphics information generating still graphic images on said display unit in a game area; and

(ii) key color information identifying a non-game display area on said display unit;

generating a second video signal having video information corresponding to said amusement theme, said video information generating a moving video display on said display unit;

generating a composite video signal including responding to said key color information of said first video signal; and

inputting said composite video signal to said video display unit, whereby said still graphics images are displayed in said game area of said display unit and said moving video display is displayed in said non-game area.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of generating a composite video signal includes replacing said key color information of said first video signal with said video information of said second video signal.

3. A method according to claim 1 and further including generating sound at said one of said gaming machines in synchronism with said moving video display displayed in said non-game area.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of generating a composite video signal includes creating key color data.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said step of creating key data includes storing said key data in said one of said gaming machines.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said step of creating key color data includes programming said key color data, including:

generating a command over said network to said one gaming machine.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said one of said gaming machines includes a communication interface connected to said network;

and wherein said step of creating said key color data includes receiving said command in said communication interface; and

storing said key color data in said one of said gaming machines in accordance with said command.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of generating a composite video signal includes generating a command over said network to said one gaming machine.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said one of said gaming machines includes a communication interface connected to said network;

and wherein said step of generating a composite video signal includes receiving said command in said communication interface.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of generating a composite video signal is selectively performed.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said step of generating a composite video signal is performed upon command from said central authority.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said one of said gaming machines includes a communication interface connected to said network;

and wherein said step of generating a composite video signal is performed upon command for said communication interface.

13. A method according to claim 10 wherein said one gaming machine includes a game central processing unit;

and wherein said step of generating a composite video signal is performed upon command from said game central processing unit.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of generating a second video signal is selectively performed.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of generating a second video signal is performed upon command from said central authority.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said one of said gaming machines includes a communication interface connected to said network;

and wherein said step of generating a second video signal is performed upon command from said communication interface.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein said one gaming machine includes a game central processing unit;

and wherein said step of generating a second video signal is performed upon command from said game central processing unit.

18. A method according to claim 11 and further including

permitting play at said one of said gaming machines;

monitoring a variable at each of said gaming machines, which said variable changes according to play; and

issuing a command over said network to one of said gaming machines.

19. A method according to claim 12 and further including

permitting play at said one of said gaming machines;

monitoring a variable at each of said gaming machines, which said variable changes according to play; and

issuing a command over said network to one of said gaming machines.

20. A method according to claim 15 and further including

permitting play at said one of said gaming machines;

monitoring a variable at each of said gaming machines, which said variable changes according to play; and

issuing a command over said network to one of said gaming machines.

21. A method according to claim 16 and further including

permitting play at said one of said gaming machines;

monitoring a variable at each of said gaming machines, which said variable changes according to play; and

issuing a command over said network to one of said gaming machines.

22. A method according to claim 1 wherein said still graphic images correspond to an ocean theme, and wherein said moving video display shows moving ocean waves.

23. A method of creating amusement according to claim 1 wherein said step of generating a second video signal includes generating said second video signal in said one gaming machine.

24. A method of creating amusement according to claim 1 wherein said graphics information additionally generating moving graphic images at select times.

25. A gaming system, comprising

a network;

a plurality of gaming machines connected to said network, at least some of said gaming machines each having

(i) a game processing unit;

(ii) a central display unit;

,

(iii) a signal generator controllable by said game processing unit for generating a first video signal having key color information and foreground game graphics information;

(iv) a video source for generating a second video signal having background video display information;

(v) a video combiner receiving said first video signal and said second video signal, said video combiner selectively combining said background video display information with said game graphics information in response to said key color information to generate a composite signal, said video combiner activable to a first mode providing an output of said composite signal and activable to a second mode providing an output of said first video signal;

(vi) said display unit receiving said output from said video combiner; and

a central authority connected to said network and generating a command over said network to one of said gaming machines, said command activating said video combiner of said one gaming machine to said first mode.

26. A method of creating amusement with a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each having a video display unit and each interconnected by a network to a central authority, comprising:

displaying game graphics and a key color area as a foreground display on said video display units at each of said plurality of gaming machines;

issuing a command from said central authority over said network to one of said gaming machines;

changing said foreground display in said key color area by adding a background display in said key color area in response to said command.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said step of issuing said command includes creating key color data.

28. A method according to claim 26 wherein said step of issuing said command includes generating said background display.

29. A method according to claim 26 and further including

permitting play at said gaming machines;

monitoring a variable at each of said gaming machines, which said variable changes according to play; and

issuing a command from said central authority over said network to one of said gaming machines in accordance with said step of monitoring a variable.

30. A method according to claim 26 wherein said variable is an amount of wagers made at a said gaming machine.

31. A method according to claim 26 and further including establishing a predetermined threshold for said variable.

32. A method according to claim 26 wherein said game graphics includes a plurality of reel combinations, and wherein said variable is a particular reel combination.

33. A method of creating amusement with a bank of a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each having a video game display unit and each interconnected by a network to a central authority, and an external video display unit external to the bank of gaming machines, comprising:

generating a first video signal in one of said gaming machines having

(i) game graphics information corresponding to an amusement theme, said graphics information generating still graphic images on said game display unit in a game area; and

(ii) key color information identifying a non-game display area on said game display unit;

generating a second video signal having video information corresponding to said amusement theme, said video information generating a moving video display on said game display unit and on said external display unit;

generating a composite video signal including responding to said key color information of said first video signal; and

inputting said composite video signal to said game video display unit, whereby said still graphics images are displayed in said game area of said game display unit and said moving video display is displayed in said non-game area on said game display unit and displayed on said external display unit.