Three-dimensional image display for a gaming apparatus

• US 20050037843A1
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wells, William, Paulsen, Craig
• Application Number:
  US10/638,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20050037843A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of generating a non-planar, three-dimensional video image, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The display unit may include a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen capable of displaying the non-planar, three-dimensional video images. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, to convert two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data, to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image to be generated on the display unit, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit capable of generating a non-planar, three-dimensional video image, said display unit comprising first and second non-planar, three-dimensional display screens each capable of displaying a non-planar, three-dimensional video image;

a value input device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to read a predetermined correction code comprising at least one of the following;

an offset value, a correction value, a color value and a brightness value,

said controller being programmed to convert two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data by correcting for at least one of the following using said correction code;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said two-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image, wherein said predetermined correction code is associated with correcting one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data;

said controller being programmed to cause a first non-planar, three-dimensional video image to be generated on said first non-planar, three-dimensional display screen from said three-dimensional image data, said first non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game,

said controller being programmed to cause a second non-planar, three-dimensional video image to be generated on said second non-planar, three-dimensional display screen from said three-dimensional image data, said second non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a bonus game,

said controller being programmed to determine, after said first non-planar, three-dimensional video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said first three-dimensional video image,

said controller being programmed to determine, after said second non-planar, three-dimensional video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said bonus game represented by said second three-dimensional video image.

2. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second non-planar, three-dimensional display screens each comprise an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said first and second non-planar, three-dimensional video images are projected on said inner surfaces and viewed by said person on said outer surfaces.

3. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit capable of generating a non-planar, three-dimensional video image, said display unit comprising a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen in the shape of a dome and capable of displaying said non-planar, three-dimensional video image,

a value input device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager;

said controller being programmed to convert two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data by correcting for at least one of the following distortions;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said two-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image

said controller being programmed to translate one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data if said distortion comprises image distortion,

said controller being programmed to vary the size of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data if said distortion comprises image distortion,

said controller being programmed to adjust the brightness of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data if said distortion comprises brightness distortion,

said controller being programmed to adjust the color of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data if said distortion comprises color aberrations,

said controller being programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image to be generated on said display unit from said three-dimensional image data, said non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game,

said controller being programmed to determine, after said non-planar, three-dimensional video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said three-dimensional video image.

4. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said inner surface.

5. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit capable of generating a non-planar, three-dimensional video image, said display unit comprising a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen capable of displaying said non-planar, three-dimensional video image;

a value input device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to convert two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data,

said controller being programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit from said three-dimensional image data, said non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing one of the following games;

video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno or video bingo,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo, and

said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.

6. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said display unit further comprises a light engine capable of producing light in ranges of about 600-650 nanometers, 500-550 nanometers and 440-490 nanometers.

7. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said display unit further comprises a projection lens assembly capable of projecting said non-planar, three-dimensional video image onto said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen.

8. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises the shape of a dome.

9. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises a shape of a human face and wherein said controller is programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image of a face to be generated on said non-planar, three dimensional display screen.

10. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises a shape of a half-cylinder.

11. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said outer surface.

12. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said inner surface.

13. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said controller further comprises a three-dimensional image controller,

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to receive said two-dimensional image data;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to correct said two-dimensional image data for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said two-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image; and

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to cause said corrected two-dimensional image data to be displayed as a non-planar, three-dimensional video image on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen.

14. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said controller comprises a three-dimensional image controller, said three-dimensional image controller comprising an image processor and a correction memory operatively coupled to said image processor,

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to translate one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to vary the size of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to adjust the color of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for color aberrations; and

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to adjust the brightness of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for brightness distortions.

15. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive three-dimensional image data, said three-dimensional image data comprising at least one of the following:

planar three-dimensional image data and non-planar three-dimensional image data,

wherein said controller is programmed to correct for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said three-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image, and

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit from said corrected three-dimensional image data.

16. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 5, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

17. A gaming system as defined in claim 16, wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.

18. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit capable of generating a non-planar, three-dimensional video image, said display unit comprising a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen capable of displaying said non-planar, three-dimensional video image;

a value input device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager;

said controller being programmed to covert two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data,

said controller being programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image to be generated on said display unit from said three-dimensional image data, said non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game,

said controller being programmed to determine, after said non-planar, three-dimensional video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said three-dimensional video image.

19. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said display unit further comprises a light engine capable of producing light in ranges of about 600-650 nanometers, 500-550 nanometers and 440-490 nanometers.

20. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said display unit further comprises a projection lens assembly capable of projecting said non-planar, three-dimensional video image onto said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen

21. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display comprises the shape of a dome.

22. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said dome comprises a diameter in the range of about 144-163 centimeters and a radius of curvature of about 53-84 centimeters.

23. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said display unit comprises a second display screen.

24. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said second display screen is a planar, two-dimensional display screen.

25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said second display screen is a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen.

26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises a shape of a human face and wherein said controller is programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image of a face to be generated on said non-planar, three dimensional display screen.

27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises a shape of a half-cylinder.

28. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said controller is programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing at least one of the following to be generated on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen:

a bonus game, a payout table, casino information, game information, game instructions, an advertisement, a movie, an animation an attraction sequence.

29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said outer surface.

30. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said inner surface.

31. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said controller further comprises a three-dimensional image controller,

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to receive said two-dimensional image data;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to correct said two-dimensional image data for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said two-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image; and

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to cause said corrected two-dimensional image data to be displayed as a non-planar, three-dimensional video image on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen.

32. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said controller comprises a three-dimensional image controller, the three-dimensional image controller comprising an image processor and a correction memory operatively coupled to said image processor,

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to translate one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to vary the size of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to adjust the color of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for color aberrations; and

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to adjust the brightness of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for brightness distortions.

33. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, further comprising one or more controls operatively coupled to said controller, said controls being capable of allowing said person to manipulate said three-dimensional video image.

34. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein said controls comprise at least one of motion-sensitive controls responsive to a person'"'"'s movements, touch-sensitive controls responsive to said person touching said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen, and controls responsive to said person'"'"'s eye movements.

35. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive three-dimensional image data, said three-dimensional image data comprising at least one of the following:

planar three-dimensional image data and non-planar three-dimensional image data,

wherein said controller is programmed to correct for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said three-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image, and

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit from said corrected three-dimensional image data.

36. A gaming system, comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 18, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

37. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit capable of generating non-planar, three-dimensional video images, said display unit comprising a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen capable of displaying said non-planar, three-dimensional video images;

a value input device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a payline selection,

said controller being programmed to convert two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data;

said controller being programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image to be generated on said display unit from said three-dimensional image data, said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising a plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols,

said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a configuration of said slot machine symbols.

38. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein said controller is programmed to allow a user to select a number of paylines.

39. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display comprises the shape of a dome.

40. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said outer surface.

41. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said non-planar, three-dimensional video image is projected on said inner surface and viewed by said person on said inner surface.

42. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein said controller further comprises a three-dimensional image controller,

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to receive said two-dimensional image data;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to correct said two-dimensional image data for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said two-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to cause said corrected two-dimensional image data to be displayed as a non-planar, three-dimensional video image on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen.

43. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein said controller comprises a three-dimensional image controller, the three-dimensional image controller comprising an image processor and a correction memory operatively coupled to said image processor,

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to translate one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to vary the size of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to adjust the color of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for color aberrations; and

said three-dimensional image controller being programmed to adjust the brightness of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for brightness distortions.

44. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 37,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive three-dimensional image data, said three-dimensional image data comprising at least one of the following:

planar three-dimensional image data and non-planar three-dimensional image data,

wherein said controller is programmed to correct for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said three-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image, and

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit from said corrected three-dimensional image data.

45. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 37, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

46. A gaming method comprising:

receiving two-dimensional image data;

converting said two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data;

causing a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game to be generated on a non-planar, three-dimensional display screen from said three-dimensional image data, said three-dimensional video image representing one of the following games;

video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno or video bingo,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and

said non-planar, three-dimensional video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo; and

determining a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said non-planar, three-dimensional video image.

47. A gaming method as defined in claim 46, additionally comprising correcting said two-dimensional image data for at least one of the following:

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said two-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as video image.

48. A gaming method as defined in claim 46, additionally comprising one or more of the following:

translating one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

varying the size of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for image distortion;

adjusting the color of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for color aberrations; and

adjusting the brightness of one or more pixels of said two-dimensional image data to correct for brightness distortions.

49. A gaming method as defined in claim 46, additionally comprising:

receiving three-dimensional image data, said three-dimensional image data comprising at least one of the following;

planar three-dimensional image data and non-planar three-dimensional image data,

correcting said three-dimensional image data for at least one of the following;

image distortion, brightness distortion and color aberrations when said three-dimensional image data is displayed on said non-planar, three-dimensional display screen as a video image, and

causing a non-planar, three-dimensional video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit from said corrected three-dimensional image data.