AU2012213955A1 - System for presenting gaming results employing a gaming display interactive character - Google Patents

Abstract

A method includes displaying a gaming graphic at a player station. This gaming graphic includes a result conveying component and a background component with the background component located in a peripheral area surrounding at least a portion of the 5 result conveying component. The method also includes periodically changing the background component from a first configuration to a different configuration during the course of play at the player station. However, the appearance of the result conveying component is maintained while the background component is periodically changed. The background component may include a game character that is animated in a character 10 interaction sequence after a character activating configuration is displayed for the result conveying component. Local Area Server Central Server Audio Non-Volaile RAM CPU Interface Memory 20_920 206 205 reen Communicadon Graphis Video Serial Contrd er Interface Processor Display Interface 217rler20 1 104 211 217__

Description

AUSTRALIA Regulation 3.2 Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent Divisional Application APPLICANT: Multimedia Games, Inc. Invention Title: SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING GAMING RESULTS EMPLOYING A GAMING DISPLAY INTERACTIVE CHARACTER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING GAMING RESULTS EMPLOYING A GAMING DISPLAY INTERACTIVE CHARACTER TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to gaming machines and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for presenting gaming results to a player through a video generated game presentation that employs a character which interacts with a result conveying portion of the game presentation display. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A large number of different gaming machines have been developed to provide various formats and graphic presentations for conducting games and presenting game results. For example, numerous mechanical reel-type gaming machines, also known as slot machines, have been developed with different reel configurations, reel symbols, and 15 paylines. More recently, gaming machines have been developed with video monitors that are used to produce simulations of mechanical spinning reels. These video-based gaming machines may use one or more video monitors to provide a wide variety of graphic effects in addition to simulated spinning reels, and may also provide secondary/bonus games using different reel arrangements or entirely different graphics. Video-based gaming machines 20 may also be used to show card games or various types of competitions such as simulated horse races in which wagers may be placed. Game manufacturers are continuously pressed to develop new game presentations, formats, and game graphics in an attempt to provide high entertainment value for players and thereby attract and keep players. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a highly entertaining method of presenting gaming results. The entertainment value is achieved by using a video generated display to present certain unique types of graphic presentations to the player in the course of play. The present invention also encompasses both a gaming apparatus and program products for 30 implementing methods according to the invention.

2 A method embodying principles of the invention may be implemented using one or more display devices such as CRTs, LCDs, plasma displays, or other types of display devices. The display device or devices used to show graphic elements according to the invention will commonly be associated with a gaming machine through which a player may 5 participate in a game. As used in this disclosure and the accompanying claims, a gaming machine through which the present invention may be implemented will be referred to generally as a player station. One preferred method according to the invention includes displaying a gaming graphic at a player station. This gaming graphic includes a result conveying component 10 and a background component with the background component located in a peripheral area surrounding at least a portion of the result conveying component. The method also includes periodically changing the background component from a first configuration to a different configuration during the course of play at the player station. However, the appearance of the result conveying component is maintained while the background 15 component is periodically changed. Another preferred method according to the invention includes similarly displaying a gaming graphic at a player station, with the gaming graphic having a result conveying component and a background component. However, this form of the invention also includes a game character displayed with the background component. This form of the 20 invention also includes displaying the result conveying component in a character activating configuration during the course of game play. After displaying the result conveying component in the character activating configuration, a character interaction sequence is displayed which includes a visible interaction between the gaming character and one or more graphic symbols included in the result conveying component. 25 An apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention includes a player station having a display device, a player input device, and a presentation controller. The presentation controller performs several functions according to the invention. In one form of the invention the presentation controller causes the display device to display the gaming graphic described above having a result conveying component and a background component 30 with the background component located in a peripheral area surrounding at least a portion of the result conveying component. The presentation controller also periodically causes 3 the background component to change from a first configuration to a different configuration during the course of play at the player station. The presentation controller, however, maintains the result conveying component in a first configuration while the background component is periodically changed. 5 In another form of the invention the presentation controller causes the display device to display the version of the game graphic which also includes the game character. In this form of the invention the presentation controller also periodically causes the display device to display the result conveying component in the character activating configuration in response to a result for the game play, and then goes on to cause the display device to 10 display the character interaction sequence as described above. The result presented to a player as an award according to the invention may be obtained in any suitable fashion. In some forms of the invention, the apparatus may receive results identified from a separate device or system. Particularly in these forms of the invention, the result may actually be a result from an electronic lottery game, a bingo game, 15 or some other game. In other forms of the invention, a result controller may be included at the player station and adapted to communicate a game play result to the presentation controller in response to a result requesting input entered through the input device. Whether the result is obtained from a separate device or from some component at the player station itself, the presentation controller controls the symbols displayed in the course of a 20 game cycle to be consistent with the given result. The result produced by the local result controller or received from a remote result controller for a given play in the game preferably dictates both the result displayed in the base game presentation and the result displayed in any bonus game presentation provided at the player station. Regardless of any underlying game from which a result is identified in the present invention, a "play" or "game play" 25 referenced in this disclosure will refer to the game cycle of a graphic presentation according to the invention, that is, a cycle through the game from a wager to showing the result for that wager. These and other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying 30 drawings.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a player station that may be used to implement a game presentation according to the invention. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a player station and gaming system that 5 may be used to implement methods according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a representation of a graphic display that may be generated to display a gaming result according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a representation of a graphic display similar to that shown in Figure 3, but showing a different background component with the same result conveying component 10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 is a representation of a graphic display similar to that shown in Figures 3 and 4, but showing a different background component with the same result conveying component shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 6 is a representation of a paytable that may be used to correlate arrangements 15 of reel symbols with various prizes in the result displaying component shown in Figures 4-6. Figure 7 is a representation of an additional paytable that may be used to correlate arrangements of reel symbols with various prizes in the result displaying component shown in Figures 3-5. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating processes for displaying gaming results in 20 accordance with the present invention. Figures 9A-E show a sequence of graphics displayed in accordance with a transition to a second screen bonus feature according to one form of the invention. Figures 1 OA-L show a sequence of graphics displayed in accordance with a second screen bonus according to one form of the invention. 25 Figure 11 shows a view position diagram for the sequences shown in Figures 9A-E and 1OA-L. DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS The claims at the end of this document set out novel features which the Applicant 30 believes are characteristic of the invention. The various advantages and features of the invention together with preferred modes of use of the invention will best be understood by 5 reference to the following description of illustrative embodiments read in conjunction with the drawings introduced above. Figure 1 shows a player station 100 that may be used to implement game presentations according to the present invention. The block diagram of Figure 2 shows 5 further details of player station 100 connected in a gaming system in which the present invention may be used to present gaming results to players. Referring to Figure 1, player station 100 includes a cabinet 101 having a front side generally shown at reference numeral 102. A video display device 104 is mounted in a central portion of the front surface 102, with a ledge 106 positioned below the video display 10 device and projecting forwardly from the plane of the video display device. In addition to the video display device 104, the illustrated player station includes a top glass display 107 positioned above the video display device, and a belly glass display 108 positioned below the video display device. In the illustrated player station 100, video display device 104 is used to produce the graphic components making up the game presentation according to the 15 invention. That is, video display device 104 displays the symbol locations and graphic symbols contained in those locations, displays the change processes shown at the symbol locations, and also displays the symbols that correlate to the player's result for a game play. In player station 100, top glass display 107 and bottom glass display 108 contain static graphics related to the particular game presentation. For example, top glass display 107 20 may show a paytable such as the paytable described below in connection with Figure 5. Bottom glass display 108 may show additional graphics related to the graphics shown at top glass display 107 and video display device 104. Player station 100 illustrated in Figure 1, includes mechanical player control buttons or other input devices 109 mounted on ledge 106. Other forms of the invention may 25 include switches, joysticks, or other player input devices mounted on ledge 106. It will be appreciated that player stations may also include player interface devices in addition to devices that are considered player controls for use in playing a particular game. Player station 100 also includes additional player interface devices 110 on a lower portion of cabinet 101 generally in the plane of bottom glass display 108. These additional player 30 interface devices 110 may comprise for example, a player card reader, a voucher or ticket reader/issuer, a currency acceptor/validator, and/or a coin or token acceptor/dispenser.

6 It should be noted that the present invention is by no means limited to implementation with a player station having a single video display such as player station 100 shown in Figure 1. A game presentation made according to some forms of the present invention may be produced with any player station that includes a player interface for 5 enabling a player to make direct inputs, and one or more video display devices, or physical reel arrangements through which the various graphic elements of the game presentation may be produced. Player station 100 is merely shown as an example of a player station through which the invention may be implemented. Other player stations implementing the present invention may include other types of devices that may show game play results. For 10 example, a player station may include a spinning wheel to show results. These other types of result display devices may be used to show some gaming results to the player, while the presentation according to the invention may be used to show other results. It should also be noted that the video display device 104 used in player station 100, or some other player station that may be used to implement the invention, may comprise any suitable video 15 display device including a cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, plasma display, LED display or any other type of video display currently known or that may be developed in the future. Figure 2 provides a block diagram showing various components of player station 100 together with gaming system components external to the player station. In particular, 20 Figure 2 shows player station 100 connected for communication with a local area server 200 and a central server 201. Local area server 200 and central server 201 may be used together with player station 100 and other player stations to implement a bingo gaming system, such as the bingo gaming system described in U.S. patent application publication No. 2004-0152499-Al, or to implement a lottery gaming system such as the lottery gaming 25 system shown in U.S. patent application publication No. 2005-0137010-Al or U.S. patent No. 6,733,385, for example. Regardless of the precise manner in which results are identified in a given system, local area server 200 and central server 201, or both servers, may cooperate to identify results that are provided to player station 100 in response to a result requesting input entered at the player station. That is, local area server 200 and/or 30 central server 201, or more particularly, one or more processing devices associated with server 200 and/or server 201 may serve as a result controller for identifying results used by 7 player station 100 as described further below with reference to Figure 3. Even in implementations in which results are produced at the player station 100 in some fashion, local area server 200 and/or central server 201 may be used to provide player tracking and accounting services for the player stations included in the gaming system. 5 Figure 2 shows that player station 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 205 along with random access memory 206 and nonvolatile memory or storage device 207. All of these devices are connected on a system bus 208 with an audio interface device 209, communications interface 210, and a serial interface 211. A graphics processor 215 is also connected on bus 208 and is connected to drive the video display device 104 (mounted on 10 cabinet 101 as shown in Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2, player station 100 also includes a touch screen controller 217 connected to system bus 208. Touch screen controller 217 is also connected via signal path 218 to receive signals from a touch screen element associated with video display device 104. It will be appreciated that the touch screen element itself comprises a thin film that is secured over the display surface of video display device 104. 15 The touch screen element itself is not illustrated or referenced separately in the figures. Those familiar with data processing devices and systems will appreciate that other basic components will be included in player station 100 such as a power supply, cooling systems for the various system components, audio amplifiers and speakers, and other devices that are common in gaming machines. These additional devices are omitted from 20 the drawings so as not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. All of the elements 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, and 211 shown in Figure 2 are elements commonly associated with a personal computer. These elements are preferably mounted on a standard personal computer chassis and housed in a standard personal computer housing which is itself mounted in cabinet 101 shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, 25 the various electronic components may be mounted on one or more circuit boards housed within cabinet 101 without a separate enclosure such as those found in personal computers. Those familiar with data processing systems and the various data processing elements shown in Figure 2 will appreciate that many variations on this illustrated structure may be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, since serial communications 30 are commonly employed to communicate with a touch screen controller such as touch screen controller 217. Thus, the touch screen controller may not be connected to the 8 system bus 208, but instead include a serial communications line to serial interface 211, which may be a USB controller or a IEEE 1394 controller for example. It will also be appreciated that some of the devices shown in Figure 2 as being connected directly to system bus 208 may in fact communicate with the other system components through a 5 suitable expansion bus. Audio interface 209, for example, may be connected to the system via a PCI bus. Numerous other variations in the player station internal structure and system may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that graphics processors are also commonly a part of modern computer systems. Although separate graphics processor 215 is shown for 10 controlling video display device 104, it will be appreciated that CPU 205 may control the video display device directly without any intermediate graphics processor. The invention is not limited to any particular arrangement of processing devices for controlling the video display device. In the illustrated player station 100, CPU 205 executes software which ultimately 15 controls the entire player station including the receipt of player inputs and the presentation of the graphic symbols at the various symbol locations displayed according to the invention through the video display device 104 associated with the player station. Thus, CPU 205 either alone or in combination with graphics processor 215 serves as a presentation controller according to the invention. Where the player station itself produces results for a 20 player, CPU 205 also serves as a result controller. CPU 205 also executes software related to communications handled through communications interface 210, and software related to various peripheral devices such as those connected to the system through audio interface 209, serial interface 211, and touch screen controller 217. CPU 205 may also execute software to perform accounting functions associated with game play. Random access 25 memory 206 provides memory for use by CPU 205 in executing its various software programs while the nonvolatile memory or storage device 207 may comprise a hard drive or other mass storage device providing storage for programs not in use or for other data generated or used in the course of player station operation. Communications interface 210 provides an interface to other components of a gaming system that may be involved in game 30 play, such as local area server 200 and/or central server 201.

9 It should be noted that the invention is not limited to player stations employing the personal computer-type arrangement of processing devices and interfaces shown in example player station 100. Other player stations may include one or more special purpose processing devices to perform the various processing steps for implementing the present 5 invention. Unlike general purpose processing devices such as CPU 205, these special purpose processing devices may not employ operational program code to direct the various processing steps. The following description describes the operation of a base game presentation and several bonus game presentations that may be displayed at a player station such as player 10 station 100 in accordance with forms of the present invention. In addition to the displays described below and shown in the figures, a process according to the present invention may also receive or produce a result for the game cycle at a suitable point of the game presentation process. For example, the player input to initiate a play in the game may prompt the player station to request a result from a result controller at the player station or 15 elsewhere in the gaming system (such as components 200 or 201 in Figure 2). The result controller then communicates back a result for the game cycle. The result or data included in or correlating to the result may then be used at the player station to control the display produced at the player station. In particular, the player station ultimately displays an arrangement of symbols consistent with the result that has been assigned for the game cycle. 20 It will be appreciated, however, that a result may be received at a number of appropriate points in the game presentation. For example, a result may be acquired each time the initial display is produced, before a player has even entered a game play input at the player station. Alternatively, a result for a play in the game may be obtained while the process is conducting the symbol change processes (spin the reels in the result conveying component 25 of the game graphic). It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to applications where a result is obtained and the graphics are forced to correspond to that result. Rather, the reel spinning process (simulated reel spinning process) may be the processes that dictate the result for the game cycle. That is, the process may use some random or pseudo-random process to select the reel symbols ultimately displayed at the 30 various symbol locations to dictate the result for the play in the game.

10 One aspect of the present invention may be described with reference to the example game screen shots shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Referring first to Figure 3, a gaming graphic 300 includes an overall graphic display which may be displayed at a player station such as player station 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 using the player station video display 5 104 for example. Gaming graphic 300 includes a result conveying component 301 and a background component shown generally at reference numeral 302. Background component 302 is generally located in a peripheral area along at least one side of result conveying component 301. The illustrated result conveying component 301 is made up of five simulated spinnable reels 304, each sized and configured to show a column of three reel 10 symbols 305. The example background area 302 shown in Figure 3 also includes a game character 306 which will be described further below in connection with Figures 8-10. The graphic making up background area 302 in Figure 3 also includes graphics which generally represent a theme for the gaming graphic. The particular theme presented by the graphics of background component 302 in Figure 3 includes a jungle theme showing lush vegetation. 15 Figure 4 shows a gaming graphic 400 similar to that shown in Figure 3 including substantially the same result conveying component 301. However, the background component 402 shown in Figure 4 presents a different graphical theme. In particular, the theme for the background component graphics shown in Figure 4 may be referred to as an Egyptian or desert theme. Figure 5 also shows a gaming graphic 500 similar to gaming 20 graphic 300 shown in Figure 3, including substantially the same result conveying component 301. The background component 502 shown in Figure 5, however, presents a different theme from either background component 302 shown in Figure 3 or background component 402 shown in Figure 4. The theme presented by background component 502 in Figure 5 may be referred to as a gothic theme. 25 According to one aspect of the invention, a player station such as player station 100 presents a gaming graphic such as graphic 300 shown in Figure 3 with result conveying component 301 and background component 302 located in a peripheral role area surrounding at least a portion of the result conveying component. This gaming graphic is periodically changed to show a different background component such as background 30 component 402 shown in Figure 4 or background component 502 shown in Figure 5. However, even though the background component is changed from one configuration to I1 another, the result conveying component 301 remains substantially unchanged. A change from any of the gaming graphics 300, 400, and 500 shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, respectively to any one of the other gaming graphics is an example of a background component change according to the present invention. 5 This process of periodically changing the gaming graphic at a player station to change a background component (302 in Figure 3, 402 in Figure 4, and 502 in figure 5) while maintaining a substantially common result conveying component 301 has the effect of keeping the gaming graphic fresh for the player while minimizing the effect on the play of the game. For example, in all of the gaming graphics shown in Figures 3-5, the pay tables, 10 reel symbols, game rules, and underlying probabilities associated with potential results in the game all remained constant between the different gaming graphics. However, the change from one background component (302, 402, and 502) to another has a significant effect on the appearance of the game and may help hold the player's interest. In one preferred form of the invention, the player station CPU, such as CPU 205 15 shown in Figure 2 executes presentation control program code to implement a presentation controller for causing the player station display device (such as display 104 in Figures 1 and 2) to display the gaming graphic having the result conveying component 301 in Figures 3-5 and background component 302, 402, and 502. The presentation controller also periodically changes the background component 302, 402, or 502 while maintaining the 20 result conveying component 301 in substantially the same form. Substantially the same form in this sense includes retaining a common simulated reel configuration of five reels for example, having the same paylines, and using the same paytables. For example, the gaming graphics 300, 400, and 500 may each employ the two paytables 600 and 700 shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. The presentation controller (e.g. CPU 205 in Figure 2) may 25 select a different background component from two or more stored alternate background components. The alternate background components may be stored in random access memory or nonvolatile memory associated with the presentation controller such as CPU 205 in Figure 2, or in memory of associated with a graphics processor such as graphics processor 215 shown in Figure 2. The periodic change in the background component may 30 be performed by the presentation controller according to a fixed schedule, randomly according to some background changing algorithm, or based on a number of plays made at 12 the player station with a given background component. Also, some forms of the invention allow any one of the alternate background components to be selected manually by the player using a suitable player control at the player station. For example, where the player station includes a touchscreen over the entire surface of the display device used to produce the 5 gaming graphic, the presentation controller may be configured to change the background component for the gaming graphic in response to a touch detected anywhere in the area of the display defining the background component. Alternatively, the presentation controller may change the background component for the gaming graphic in response to a signal initiated by a mechanical or virtual (touch screen) button at the player station. 10 Another aspect of the invention may be described with reference to the flow chart of Figure 8 and to the example game graphics shown in Figure 3, example paytable shown in Figure 7, and example bonus game graphics shown in Figures 9A-E and Figures 1OA-L. Referring first to the flow chart of Figure 8, this aspect of the present invention includes displaying a gaming graphic having a result conveying component and a background 15 component as indicated at process block 801 in Figure 8. The result conveying component and background component may comprise result conveying component 301 and background component 302 shown in Figure 3 for example, although the invention is not limited to any particular set of graphics. Regardless of the specific graphics displayed, the background component includes a game character such as game character 306 in Figure 3. 20 This game character 306 animates according to the invention to serve as a partner or supporter for the player in the course of game play. In particular, the game character may cooperate with the player to conduct first and second screen that bonuses. As shown in Figure 8, the player station (such as player station 100 in Figures 1 and 2) receives a game play input entered in some suitable fashion by a player at the player 25 station, and produces or receives a result for the game play input as indicated at process block 802 in Figure 8, and determines if the result is a character activating result. If the result is not a character activating result, as indicated by a negative result at decision block 803, the process simply displays the gaming graphic as indicated at process block 801. This graphic may or may not indicate a prize according to the applicable prize tables such as 30 prize tables 600 and 700 in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. However, if the result received or produced at process block 802 is determined to be a character activating result as 13 indicated by a positive result at decision block 803, the process proceeds to display the result conveying component of the gaming graphic (such as 301 in Figure 3) in a character activating configuration. This display of the result conveying component in a character activating configuration is shown at process block 804 in Figure 8. This character 5 activating configuration preferably corresponds to a result definition in an applicable paytable such as paytable 600 in Figure 6 and paytable 700 in Figure 7. The process then includes displaying a character activation sequence on the display device (such as display 104 in Figures 1 and 2) as indicated at process block 805 in Figure 8. The process then loops back to a position to receive another game play request from the player, or terminates 10 if the player station is shut down as indicated by the alternatives from decision block 806. Character activating configurations displayed according to process block 804 may be described with reference to paytable 700 shown in Figure 7. This example paytable 700 shows three different potential character activating configurations. One character activating configuration is shown generally at reference numeral 701 and is described in the 15 text as a "Mystery Scatter Pay" which is triggered by two or more crystal skull reel symbols appearing in the result conveying component of the gaming graphic. Another character activating configuration described in Figure 7 is defined as three backpack reel symbols to trigger a "Backpack" bonus game as shown generally at reference numeral 702. The third character activating configuration described in Figure 7 is shown at reference numeral 703 20 and includes the three ankh box reel symbols which triggers a "Caverns Treasure" bonus game. If the result conveying component is displayed in any of these character activating configurations defined in paytable 700 when the simulated reels shown in Figure 3 stop spinning for a given play in the game, the process proceeds to a character interaction sequence as indicated at process block 805 in Figure 8. This character interaction sequence 25 includes a visible interaction between the game character such as game character 306 in Figure 3 for example and one or more reel symbols such as reel symbols 305 in Figure 3 shown in result conveying component 301. In the case of the character activating configuration defined as the Mystery Scatter Pay bonus, two or more crystal skull reel symbols will be displayed in result conveying 30 component 301 in Figure 3 when the simulated reels 304 stop spinning. Once this particular character activating configuration is displayed, game character 306 is animated to 14 target and fire a weapon at the crystal skull reel symbols. The reel symbols then break apart to reveal a result for the play. In the case of the example character activation configuration defined as the Backpack bonus, simulated reels 304 will have stopped spinning for a given play in the 5 game showing three or more backpack reel symbols in result conveying component 301. The player is then prompted in some fashion to select one of the backpack reel symbols. This prompt may be by a voice (audio) appearing to emanate from game character 306, for example, or by some other display or notice at the player station. Where result conveying component 301 of gaming graphic 300 is shown on a touchscreen display device, the player 10 may make their selection by touching a particular one of the crystal skull reel symbols. However, the invention is not limited to any particular technique for enabling the player to select one of the reel symbols. Once the player selects one of the backpack reel symbols, game character 306 is animated to traverse result conveying component 301 to reach the selected reel symbol. Game character 306 may then be displayed in result conveying 15 component 301 picking up the selected backpack reel symbol to remove it from its original location in the result conveying component, and then open the backpack to reveal a result for the play. The result revealing process may, for example, show game character 306 removing an object from the backpack and this object may ultimately display the result to the player. After revealing the result the graphic may be controlled to cause the backpack 20 and object to disappear, and game character 306 may be controlled to congratulate the player and cross the screen to return to the "idle position" in background component 302 of the gaming graphic 300. Both of the previous examples of a character interaction sequence according to the invention relate to first screen bonus games in which the gaming graphic does not change 25 other than as necessary to animate game character 306 and to display the interaction with the reel symbol. In other forms of the invention, the character interaction sequence may involve a second screen bonus, that is, a display that substantially replaces the entire original gaming graphic such as gaming graphic 300 shown in Figure 3. Figures 3, 9A-E, and I OA-L may be used to describe one second screen bonus employing a character interaction 30 sequence embodying the principles of the present invention. Starting with the gaming graphic 300 shown for example in Figure 3, if the simulated spinning reels are shown to 15 have stopped spinning showing three or more Ankh box reel symbols in result conveying component 301. At this point gaming graphic 300 is controlled to cause the reels 304 to darken to produce an expanded display area equivalent to the area of the result conveying component 301 and game character 306 is displayed traversing the darkened area and 5 disappearing into the darkness. The graphic then may show the face of the game character 306 and fade into a cavern graphic as shown at Figure 9A. This cavern graphic may expand to take up substantially the entire display area previously used for result conveying component 301 and background component 302 in Figure 3. In the particular animation sequence indicated by Figures 9A-E, the game character is shown approaching a lever in the 10 cavern wall as at Figure 9A, and then pulling the lever as indicated at Figures 9B and 9C. The example animation sequence then shows a series of stepping stones floating into place over a chasm as at Figure 9D. Ultimately the series of stepping stones suspended over the chasm are shown separating game character 306 from three treasure chests on the opposite side of the chasm as shown at Figure 9E. 15 After the sequence of graphics shown in Figures 9A-E, the display device showing the graphic may be controlled (through CPU 205 and graphics card 215 in Figure 2 for example) to play an interactive game in which game character 306 prompts the player to select stepping stones in an attempt to cross the chasm and reach the treasure chests. From the graphic display shown in Figure 10 A for example, the graphic may change to that shown 20 in Figure 10B in which a first series of stepping stones have changed color and game character 306 verbally prompts the player to select one of the highlighted stepping stones. After the player makes the selection, the graphic is controlled to show game character 306 jumping to the selected stepping stone as shown in Figure 1 OC and the player may be awarded a bonus amount. The two other stones that were not selected may crumble way 25 into the chasm as shown at Figure 10 D to reveal bonus amounts associated with those player selections. The sequence of selecting stepping stones continues as shown in Figures 1 E-J until game character 306 traverses the chasm with a final leap shown at Figure 10K, and reaches the treasure box as indicated at Figure 1 OL. At any point, the graphic may be controlled such that the stepping stone to which game character 306 was directed may 30 dissolve away so the character falls into the chasm to end the second screen bonus. Otherwise game character 306 eventually reaches the landing on which the three treasure 16 chests are located and the player is prompted to select one of the treasure chests. Once the player has made their selection, game character 306 opens the selected treasure chest to show a result to be awarded to the player. This graphic may show game character 306 opening the selected treasure chest and removing an object which ultimately shows the 5 result awarded to the player. Upon completion of the sequence of graphics indicated in Figures 1 OA-L (or from the point game character falls into the chasm as the case may be), the display is controlled to show the total value won for the play and then transitions to the original display as shown in any of Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figure 11 shows various view positions 1101 from which the graphic shown in 10 Figures 9A-E and 10A-L shows game character 306 in the course of this example second screen bonus game. Ultimately, the view position swings round from a position showing game character 306 walking down the tunnel and approaching the lever shown in Figure 9A, to the final position in which the view shows the character jumping from one stepping stone to another to approach the view position. 15 In forms of the invention implemented through general purpose processing devices such as the devices shown in the example player station 100 of Figure 2, the various steps described above and in the following claims are performed under the control of operational program code. One preferred form of the invention executes character interaction sequence program code at CPU 205 in Figure 2 to cause the player station display device 20 (e.g. display 104) to display the above-described example character interaction sequence. The example displays shown in the figures are shown only as convenient examples for describing the principles of the invention. Many variations on these basic examples may be employed within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to any particular manner for displaying the results for the game play. Also, 25 numerous variations are possible in the playing rules of the game and the standards for presenting awards. It should be noted again that the results for a given game play displayed in accordance with the above-described display techniques may be produced and communicated to the player station as necessary in any suitable manner within the scope of 30 the invention. It should also be noted that the results indicated as bonuses in a character interaction sequence as described above, may be dictated by a single result obtained for a 17 given play in the game. The result obtained for the given game play may represent a value and the graphic display is controlled by the presentation controller such as CPU 205 in Figure 2 to show a total result consistent with that value dictated by the single result. The total result for a given game play may be divided between a partial result shown by the 5 original graphic of the result conveying component, such as a result on a given reel payline, and a partial result shown as a result of a character interaction sequence according to the invention. As used herein, whether in the above description or the following claims, the terms "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," and the like are 10 to be understood to be open-ended, that is, to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of' and "consisting essentially of," respectively, shall be considered exclusionary transitional phrases, as set forth, with respect to claims, in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures (Eighth Edition, August 2001 as revised October 2005), Section 2111.03. 15 Any use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another, or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Rather, unless specifically stated otherwise, such ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same 20 name (but for use of the ordinal term). The above-described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 25 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (17)

1. A method including: (a) displaying a gaming graphic at a player station, the gaming graphic having a 5 result conveying component and a background component which is peripheral to the result conveying component, the background component including a game character; (b) receiving a wager at the player station; (c) in response to receiving the wager, displaying a result in the result conveying 10 component; and (d) performing a character interaction sequence after displaying the result in the result conveying component, wherein in the character interaction sequence the area of the result conveying component changes to a bonus game graphic, the game character moves from the background component into the 15 area of the result conveying component, and wherein a player-interactive bonus game presentation is conducted in the bonus game graphic including receiving player touchscreen inputs in the bonus game graphic.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: 20 (a) periodically changing the background component from a first configuration to a different configuration during a course of play at the player station; and (b) maintaining the appearance of the result conveying component in a first result conveying configuration while the background component is periodically changed. 19

3. The method of claim 1 further including a visible interaction between the game character and a graphic element included in the result, the visible interaction including a representation of the game character traversing the result conveying 5 component to interact with the graphic element to reveal a prize previously obscured by the graphic element.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the visible interaction between the game character and the graphic element includes a representation of the game character removing 10 some or all of the graphic element from an initial position in the result conveying component.

5. The method of claim 1 further including producing verbal prompts coordinated with movement of the game character so that the verbal prompts appear to originate from 15 the game character.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising causing a display view shown in the player-interactive bonus game presentation to show a first view from a first virtual view position and to then show a second view from a second virtual view position in 20 which the virtual view position has moved along a curve and rotated with respect to the first virtual view position.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the change of the result conveying component into the bonus game graphic includes first gradually darkening the result conveying 20 component so that the result disappears and the result conveying component appears dark, and then displaying the bonus game graphic.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the game character moves from the background 5 component and appears to disappear in the darkened result conveying component.

9. An apparatus including: (a) a display device; (b) a player input device; and 10 (c) a presentation controller, the presentation controller adapted to (i) display a gaming graphic at the display device, the gaming graphic having a result conveying component and a background component which is peripheral to the result conveying component, the background component including a game character, to (ii) receive a wager input from a player, to (iii) display a 15 result in the result conveying component in response to receiving the wager input, and to (iv) perform a character interaction sequence after displaying the result in the result conveying component, wherein in the character interaction sequence the area of the result conveying component changes to a bonus game graphic, the game character moves from the background 20 component into the area of the result conveying component, and wherein a player-interactive bonus game presentation is conducted in the bonus game graphic including receiving player touchscreen inputs in the bonus game graphic. 21

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the presentation controller includes a processing device of a player station that includes the display device and the player input device. 5

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the presentation controller is further adapted to: (a) periodically change the background component from a first configuration to a different configuration during a course of play at the player station; and (b) maintain the appearance of the result conveying component in a first result conveying configuration while the background component is periodically 10 changed.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the presentation controller is further adapted to cause a display view shown in the player-interactive bonus game presentation to show a first view from a first virtual view position and to then show a second view 15 from a second virtual view position in which a virtual view position has moved along a curve and rotated with respect to the first virtual view position.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the presentation controller is further adapted to cause the player station to produce sound outputs representing verbal prompts 20 coordinated with movement of the game character so that the verbal prompts appear to originate from the game character.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the presentation controller is further adapted to cause the display device to display a visible interaction between the game character 22 and a graphic element shown in the result, the visible interaction including a representation of the game character traversing the result conveying component to interact with the graphic element to reveal a prize previously obscured by the graphic element. 5

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the visible interaction between the game character and the graphic element includes a representation of the game character removing some or all of the graphic element from an initial position in the result conveying component. 10

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the change of the result conveying component to the bonus game graphic includes first gradually darkening the result conveying component so that the result disappears and the result conveying component appears dark, and then displaying the bonus game graphic. 15

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the game character moves from the background component and appears to disappear in the darkened result conveying component.