SIMULATION OF MECHANICAL REELS OF GAMING MACHINES

• US 20080108422A1
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Beadell, John Leagh, Chudd, Russell, Hedrick, Randy, Nesemeier, Fred
• Granted Patent: US 8,092,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/22
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Techniques for simulating mechanical reels are disclosed. The techniques are especially suitable for simulating mechanical reels typically used for reel-based games in gaming machines (or units). Image of at least one rotating mechanical reel can be projected on at least one projection surface to effectively simulate at least one mechanical reel. The image can be projected on multiple rotating projection surfaces (or reels) to give a closer illusion of a mechanical reel-based game. Projection can be accomplished by using a projection system coupled to one or more processors that processes projection data.

Claims

1. A gaming machine operable for playing a reel-based game, said gaming machine comprising:

at least one projection surface for displaying images associated with said reel-based game; and

a projection system configured to project said images on said at least one projection surface when said gaming machine is operable for playing said reel-based game, wherein said projection system is further configured to effectively display said images on said at least one projection surface in a manner that simulates or mimics rotation of at least one mechanical reel, thereby effectively simulating a reel-based game with at least one rotating mechanical reel configured for playing said real-based game.

2. A gaming machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said images include one or more symbols or indicia projected on said at least one projection surface to simulate at least one mechanical reel.

3. A gaming machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said gaming machine is further operable to determine, receive and/or obtain projection data that can be used by said projection system to project said plurality of images on said projection surface.

4. A gaming machine as recited in claim 2,

wherein said at least one projection surface is configured to rotate, and

wherein said projection system projects said images on said at least one projection surface as said projection surface rotates.

5. A gaming machine as recited in claim 4,

wherein said projection surface is effectively provided by at least one projection reel configured to rotate, and

wherein said projection system projects said images on said at least one projection reel as said projection reel rotates, and wherein said projection is coordinated with said rotation in a manner that effectively simulates or mimics rotation of a mechanical reel with said plurality of images affixed to them.

6. A gaming machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one projection reel rotates about its horizontal (or X-axis).

7. A gaming machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one projection reel rotates about its vertical (or Y-axis).

8. A gaming machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said projection is not coordinated with said rotation in order to effectively simulate or mimic rotation of a mechanical reel, thereby providing visual effects differing that that which can be produced by reel-based games with rotating mechanical reels with images affixed to them.

9. A gaming machine as recited in claim 5,

wherein said gaming machine further comprises:

a rotation engine configured to rotate said projection reel, and

wherein said rotation engine is configured in an external configuration with respect to said at least one projection reel, thereby allowing said projection reel to be driven externally.

10. A gaming machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said rotation engine includes a stepper motor or a DC motor that engages one or more gears, pulleys and/or friction wheels to rotate said projection reel.

11. A gaming machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said gaming machine further comprises:

one or more support blocks or bearings configured to support said at least one projection reel.

12. A gaming machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said projection system comprises one or more the following:

at least one projector,

at least one lens, and

at least one mirror.

13. A gaming machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one projector is a Digital Light Processing (DLP) projector or a Liquid Crystal on silicon (LCos) projector.

14. A gaming machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one lens is a lens configured with a variable radius.

15. A gaming machine as recited in claim 12,

wherein said at least one lens is a lens configured with a constant radius, and

wherein pixel warping is used to project said images on multiple projection reels configured to rotate to simulate mechanical reels.

16. An apparatus for simulating a mechanical real reel-based game that can be played in connection with a plurality of mechanical reels configured to rotate with symbols (or images) affixed to them, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of projection reels configured to rotate; and

a projection system operable to project images on said plurality of projection reels as said plurality of projection reels rotate, wherein said projection system is further operable to effectively coordinate said projection of said images with said rotation of said projection reels such that the visual effect resembles rotation with mechanical reels configured to rotate.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said apparatus is and/or includes a gaming machine (or unit).

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16,

wherein said plurality of projection reels includes two (2), three (3), four (4) or five (5) projection reels, and

wherein said projection system includes one projector configured to projects said images.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18,

wherein said projector is configured in a central location with respect to said plurality of projection reels, and

wherein said projector projects said images via one or more lenses and/or mirrors on said plurality of projection reels.

20. A computer-implemented method for playing a reel-based game, said method comprising:

determining, receiving and/or obtaining projection data for projecting at least one image; and

projecting, based on said projection data, said at least one image on at least one projection surface, wherein said projection effectively displays said at least one image on said at least one projection surface in a manner that simulates or mimics rotation of at least one mechanical reel, thereby effectively simulating a reel-based game with a rotating mechanical reel configured for playing said real-based game.

21. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20, wherein said images include one or more symbols or indicia projected on said at least one projection surface to simulate at least one mechanical reel.

22. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20, wherein said gaming machine is further operable to determine, receive and/or obtain projection data used to project said plurality of images on said projection surface.

23. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 22, further comprising:

projecting said images on said at least one projection surface as said projection surface rotates.

24. A computer readable medium including computer program code for playing a reel-based game, said computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for determining, receiving and/or obtaining projection data for projecting at least one image; and

computer program code for projecting, based on said projection data, said at least one image on at least one projection surface, wherein said projection effectively displays said at least one image on said at least one projection surface in a manner that simulates or mimics rotation of at least one mechanical reel, thereby effectively simulating a reel-based game with a rotating mechanical reel configured for playing said real-based game.