Displaying 3D Characters in Gaming Machines

• US 20080125221A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Sylla, Craig J., Brewer, Christopher, Ward, Matthew J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,874,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a method of performing a bonus event in a gaming machine that produces a gaming outcome. The method for performing a bonus event includes displaying a three-dimensional character; modifying the character based on one or more user selections; and controlling the character to influence the gaming outcome.

Claims

1. In a gaming machine that produces a gaming outcome, a method of performing a bonus event, comprising:

displaying a three-dimensional character;

modifying the character based on one or more user selections; and

controlling the character to influence the gaming outcome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional character is generated in real time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional character is selected from selectable and configurable avatars.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the character is modifiable by elongating, coloring, shading or twisting facial or body parts of the character.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein emotion attributes displayed by the character are modifiable.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein characters are modified through a website for use on the gaming machine.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the gaming machine is connected to a server.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the character is available on any terminal supporting avatar games.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the character is modifiable by a user from the user'"'"'s home.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein user movements are tracked by a user interface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the characters mimics user movements.

12. The method of claim 1, comprising more than one character.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising simultaneous control of multiple characters.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the gaming machine controls some of the characters.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the user controls some of the characters.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein a portion of a composite scene is viewable on a gaming machine.

17. An article comprising a machine readable medium having instructions thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed in a computer, create a system for executing the method of claim 1.

19. An article comprising a machine readable medium having instructions thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed in a computer, create a system for executing the method of claim 3.

18. In a gaming machine that produces a gaming outcome on a display, a method of performing a bonus event, comprising:

displaying one or more three-dimensional characters;

moving one of the characters under player control; and

determining the gaming outcome as a function of movement of the character within the display.