Slot machine incorporating an image capturing device and method of use

Abstract

A system and method of one or more electronic gaming devices having image capturing devices integrated therein is disclosed. The image capturing devices capture a player image and place the image into a primary or bonus game facilitated by the one or more electronic gaming devices. In one version, the captured image is placed on video reels of each slot machine forming a bank of slot machines. In this manner, players play a game of chance with their own image and images of other players integrated therein. The images may also be depicted on a display device associated with a bank of electronic gaming devices.

1 . A method of conducting an electronically-implemented wagering game comprising:
 utilizing an electronic gaming device to facilitate a primary 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 primary game of chance and optionally any electronic gaming device affiliated therewith.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing the captured image into said primary game. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing the captured image into a bonus game facilitated by the electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing the captured image on a video reel associated with the electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing the captured image on a display device associated with a bank of electronic gaming devices. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising storing the captured image for future use. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising capturing the image in response to a player inserting money or a player card into the electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing means for allowing the player to accept or decline an image being captured. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising enhancing game payouts in response to the captured image forming part of a winning game outcome. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising capturing the image in response to receiving a signal from a motion detector in, on or adjacent to the electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising evaluating a quality of the captured image. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising capturing a subsequent image if the captured image is not of a pre-established quality. 
   
   
       13 . A method of conducting an electronically-implemented wagering game comprising:
 utilizing a bank of electronic gaming devices to facilitate at least one of a primary game of chance or a bonus game of chance;   capturing an image of a player at any electronic gaming device forming part of said bank of electronic gaming devices, said image captured via an image capturing device integrated into, onto or adjacent to each electronic gaming device forming the bank of electronic gaming devices; and   placing the captured image into a video-based portion of the primary game of chance, bonus game of chance, or both, associated with each electronic gaming device forming the bank of electronic gaming devices.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising triggering said image capturing device in response to a player inserting money or a player card into the electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising providing means for allowing the player to accept or decline an image being captured. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising capturing the image in response to receiving a signal from a motion detector in, on or adjacent to the electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising evaluating a quality of the captured image. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising capturing a subsequent image if the captured image is not of a pre-established quality. 
   
   
       19 . A system comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the one or more electronic gaming devices further include a motion detector operable to trigger the image capturing device. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising software for evaluating the quality of the captured image. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the image capturing device is in, on or adjacent to a corresponding electronic gaming device. 
   
   
       23 . A slot machine comprising:
 at least a processor, random number generator, memory, video display, three or more video reels, one or more user interfaces and an image capturing device, said image capturing device positioned to capture an image of a player playing the slot machine; and   means for incorporating the captured image of the player on the one or more video reels.   
   
   
       24 . The slot machine of  claim 23  further comprising a motion detector operable to trigger the image capturing device. 
   
   
       25 . The slot machine of  claim 23  further comprising software for evaluating the quality of the captured image.