Patent Application
20090163267
The embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic gaming device (e.g., slot machine). In one embodiment, an image capturing device in, on or adjacent to a slot machine captures an image of a player which is then used on the slot machine or affiliated slot machines as part of the game.
Electronic gaming devices, like slot machines, now account for over 60% of gaming revenue in casinos. Accordingly, new slot machine concepts are in increasing demand to satisfy the gaming public. Recent successful slot machine advances include large progressive jackpots, high resolution video graphics and bonus games.
In particular, bonus games are now associated with a majority of the slot machines in the marketplace. For example, the Wheel of Fortune slot machine includes a bonus game in the form of a numbered mechanical wheel. The bonus game, namely the wheel, is activated in response to pre-established primary game outcomes. Other bonus games comprise video-implemented games, ball-hoppers and player-selected outcomes.
Even though there has been an influx of new slot machines and bonus games, the new concepts and features are of a common theme and do not add to the overall excitement level of slot machine play.
Thus, there is a need for a new and exciting slot machine concept. Advantageously, the new concept should include player participation to enhance the game playing experience.
Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of conducting an electronically-implemented wagering game comprising: utilizing an electronic gaming device to facilitate a game of chance; capturing an image of a player of the electronic gaming device via an image capturing device integrated into, onto or adjacent to the electronic gaming device; and placing the captured image into a video-based portion of the game of chance and optionally any electronic gaming device affiliated therewith.
A system embodiment of the present invention comprises: one or more affiliated electronic gaming devices for facilitating games of chance, said one or more electronic gaming devices having at least a processor, random number generator, memory, display, one or more user interfaces and an image capturing device, said image capturing device positioned to capture an image of a player playing the one or more electronic gaming devices; means for transmitting the captured image of the player to all affiliated electronic gaming devices; and means for incorporating the captured image into the games of chance facilitated by said affiliated electronic gaming devices.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
The operation of slot machines is controlled by microprocessors which communicate with internal memory devices and the external features of the machines. The microprocessors also incorporate, or communicate with, a random number generator which ensures the randomness of the machines' outcomes. In the embodiments of the present invention, one or more processors, along with memory and related devices, control the new applications disclosed herein. Therefore, the embodiments, along with the corresponding odds, of the present invention may be programmed into the processor or associated software. Since the technology for operating and controlling slot machines is well known to those skilled in the art, the subtle details are not described herein.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
Although a slot machine is used to describe the embodiments of the present invention, it is conceivable that the embodiments may be utilized with other gaming devices including video poker machines, keno machines and bingo machines.
Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.
Optionally, the slot machine 100 further includes a topper 180 for facilitating a bonus game. The bonus game may be facilitated by video means solely or in combination with backlit graphics.
As shown, an image capturing device 200 can be integrated into the topper 180, or an image capturing device 200′ may be secured to the topper 180 or elsewhere on the slot machine 100 or an image capturing device 200″ may be secured adjacent to the slot machine 100 and linked thereto by means of a wired or wireless connection. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the image capturing device may be positioned anywhere in, on or adjacent to the slot machine 100. Ideally, the image capturing device 200 is a digital camera or video camera, but any type of suitable image capturing device may be used. The image capturing device 200 is positioned to capture a photo or video clip of the player's face. In one embodiment, the imaging capturing device 200 is triggered by a motion sensor 205 aimed at head-level of the chair corresponding to the slot machine 100. The sensor 205 should have limited range to prevent it from activating when patrons walk past the slot machine 100. Like the image capturing device, the sensor 205 may be integrated into the topper 180, attached to the topper 180 or positioned adjacent to the slot machine 100. In another embodiment, the image capturing device 200 is triggered in response to currency, coupons or a player card being inserted into the slot machine 100. Ideally, the player authorizes the players facial image being used via a display device and keypad 210 on the slot machine 100. Accordingly, in one embodiment, once the player inserts currency, coupons or a player card, the display device 210 shows a message requesting that the player approve the use of his or her facial image by, for example, pressing “1” for approve and “2” for decline. Most new slot machines have the display device and keypad 210 positioned above the reels 105-1 through 105-3. The same procedure may be used by means of touch screen technology associated with the slot machine display 115 such that the player simply presses a “Yes” or “No” icon as prompted on the machine display 115.
Once an image is captured, image software analyzes the image to determine if it is acceptable. The image software determines whether the content (e.g., face of the player) and the clarity of the image are suitable for the embodiments of the present invention as described in more detail below. If the software determines that the captured image is not acceptable, the image capturing device 200 is activated a second time to capture a new image. Besides clarity and assuring a facial image, the software may also reject as unacceptable any captured images involving vulgar gestures or activities by a player. The image capturing process may be repeated any number of times as determined by a casino. Once an acceptable image is captured, it is temporarily or permanently stored in a memory or storage device. The memory device may be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, hard drive memory or any suitable type of storage or memory. The memory device may be integrated into the slot machine or may be associated with a bank of machines or a central storage device associated with all machines in a casino or multiple casinos. Depending on the casino and/or the player, the image may be stored temporarily until it is integrated into a casino game or may be stored in a player database for use during subsequent game sessions by the player.
If the image is stored for use during a subsequent gaming session, the player may be prompted to accept use of the image at the subsequent gaming session or may be prompted to allow a new image to be captured. Again, this may be accomplished using a small display device or touch screen technology.
Now referring to
Besides utilizing player images 280-1 through 280-6 on the bank display 260, captured images 280-1 through 280-1 are utilized in the games being facilitated by the machines 100-1 through 100-6. In one example, as shown in
As shown in
While
An image captured by a first electronic gaming device may be transmitted to a central location (e.g., server) that then transmits the image to affiliated devices in the same bank of devices or multiple banks of devices utilizing the embodiments of the present invention. Alternatively, the image captured at a first electronic gaming device can be transmitted directly to each affiliated electronic gaming device. Affiliated electronic gaming devices can be any electronic gaming devices in the same bank, multiple banks, casino or multiple casinos or any combination thereof desired by the casino. While the description herein focuses on an image capturing device incorporated at or proximate the gaming machine, in other embodiments photos may be downloaded online or uploaded via a link to the central server.
The operation of the image capturing device, image software, transmission of the image and the incorporation of the image into the bank display, primary game and/or bonus game may be controlled by each local slot machine processor and/or the operations may be controlled by a remote processor or controller, such as a central server, or any other computer-based hardware and/or software configuration.
While a slot machine is used above to describe the embodiments of the present invention any electronic gaming machine may benefit from therefrom. For example, in a video poker game, the captured images may be placed on random playing cards such that the use of the random cards in a winning poker hand, results in an enhanced payout. In an alternative example, captured images may be positioned on an electronic keno or bingo card such that those spaces become bonus spaces.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
