3D enhancements to game components in gaming systems including merged game components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9805540-B2
Application number	US-201414444502-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2014
Priority date	Dec 28, 2012
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

An electronic gaming machine, a system and a method for providing game components with 3D enhancement are disclosed. The machine includes at least one processor, one persistent data store, one receiver to receive game data, and a display device configured with a user interface to display a portion of the game data as at least one of a row and a column of game components along a plane in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game, each one of the game components having an original symbol associated thereto, and at least two additional game components to provide a 3D enhancement in relation to the plane of the display device, wherein the at least one processor is configured to merge the at least two additional game components to provide at least one additional symbol, and integrate the at least one additional symbol into the given game.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An electronic gaming machine for providing game components with three-dimensional (3D) enhancement, the machine comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one persistent data store;
at least one receiver to receive game data for storage in the at least one persistent data store; and
a display device configured with a user interface to display a portion of the game data as at least one of a row and a column of game components along a plane in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game, each one of the game components having an original symbol associated thereto, and at least two additional game components to provide a 3D enhancement in relation to the plane of the display device;
wherein the at least one processor is configured to merge the at least two additional game components to provide at least one additional symbol, and integrate the at least one additional symbol into the given game.

2. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the display device is further configured to display a part of the at least one additional symbol on each of the at least two additional game components.

3. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components shaped as complementary puzzle pieces.

4. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components.

5. The electronic gaming machine of claim 4 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components to be at least partially transparent such that the game components along the plane are visible therethrough.

6. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to reveal the at least two additional game components after a player has begun playing the given game.

7. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the display device is further configured to display an animation of the at least two additional game components moving into view.

8. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional symbol matches one of the original symbols.

9. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein integrating the at least one additional symbol into the given game forms a winning combination or a winning pattern.

10. An electronic gaming system for providing game components with 3D enhancement, the system comprising:
a server comprising a transmitter for transmitting electronic data signals representing game data;
an electronic device comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one persistent data store;
at least one receiver to receive the game data for storage in the at least one persistent data store; and
a display device configured with a user interface to display a portion of the game data as at least one of a row and a column of game components along a plane in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game, each one of the game components having an original symbol associated thereto, and at least two additional game components to provide a 3D enhancement in relation to the plane of the display device;
wherein the at least one processor is configured to merge the at least two additional game components to provide at least one additional symbol, and integrate the at least one additional symbol into the given game; and

a network configured to provide a communication link to couple the server and the electronic device.

11. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the electronic device is an electronic gaming terminal and wherein the system further comprises:
a mobile gaming device operated by a player coupled via a communications link to the electronic gaming terminal, the mobile gaming device running a remote gaming program to play the given game, the electronic gaming terminal programmed to carry out at least the game functions of pseudo-randomly determining a game outcome and determining an award to a player and receiving player control signals by the electronic gaming terminal from the mobile gaming device to initiate the given game;
wherein the electronic gaming terminal is configured to carry out the given game by the electronic gaming terminal, including determining a final outcome of the given game and any award for the outcome and transmitting electronic data signals to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the given game and the award.

12. The electronic gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile gaming device is a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a mobile phone.

13. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

14. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the display device is further configured to display a part of the at least one additional symbol on each of the at least two additional game components.

15. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components shaped as complementary puzzle pieces.

16. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components overlaid on the game components along the plane.

17. The electronic gaming system of claim 16 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components to be at least partially transparent such that the game components along the plane are visible therethrough.

18. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to reveal the at least two additional game components after a player has begun playing the given game.

19. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the display device is further configured to display an animation of the at least two additional game components moving into view.

20. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one additional symbol matches one of the original symbols.

21. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 , wherein integrating the at least one additional symbol into the given game forms a winning combination or a winning pattern.

22. A computer-implemented method for providing game components with 3D enhancement in a gaming system, the method comprising:
displaying on a display device at least one of a row and a column of game components along a plane in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game, each one of the game components having an original symbol associated thereto;
displaying at least two additional game components to provide a 3D enhancement in relation to the plane of the display device;
merging the at least two additional game components to provide at least one additional symbol; and
integrating the at least one additional symbol into the given game.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 22 , wherein the display device is further configured to display a part of the at least one additional symbol on each of the at least two additional game components.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 22 , wherein the display device is further configured to display the at least two additional game components shaped as complementary puzzle pieces.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 2

Assignees

• Igt Canada Solutions Ulc

Inventors

• Leger Francois Romeo
• Trainor Bethany

Classifications

• G07F17/34

  depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines · CPC title

• G07F17/326

  Game play aspects of gaming systems · CPC title

• G07F17/3213 Primary

  Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members · CPC title