System and method for sprite capture and reproduction
View Patent ↗A sprite capture and reproduction system for a gaming machine is disclosed. The system includes a sprite capture component and a sprite reproduction component. The sprite capture component enables capture of a sprite in video memory for use as another sprite. The sprite reproduction component enables reproduction of independent animated images that are combinable in a larger animation. The system does not require a discrete texture for each and every image that is loaded. In some cases, images may be compresses, further reducing video memory requirements. Additionally, the system dramatically increases likelihood that desired images are resident and available for use in video memory, thereby saving texture memory. Further, the system minimizes shadow RAM usage.
1. A sprite capture and reproduction system for a gaming machine having one or more processors and at least a base game, wherein a sprite is a graphic image that can move within a larger graphic image, the system comprising:
a sprite canvas API that reduces a number of canvases and textures needed for the base game;
a sprite capture component, wherein the sprite capture component and a processor enable capture of a compressed sprite in video memory for use as another sprite accessed by a sprite interface; and
a sprite reproduction component, wherein the sprite reproduction component and a processor enable reproduction of independent animated images displayed on the gaming machine that are combinable in a larger animation;
wherein an image of the independent animated images is reproduced using the captured sprite;
wherein a no-texture image is rendered by adding the no-texture image to a member of a descendent of a sprite canvas's hierarchy tree.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system does not use additional memory for rendering images using the sprite capture component and the sprite reproduction component.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system enables game applications to use an image on the shared texture, thereby reducing the memory usage.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein, when the system loads an image with a no-texture flag set, the system does not create a texture.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein, when the system loads an image without a no-texture flag set, the system does create a texture.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein help images are loaded as no-texture images, and wherein a single texture is used to display all help images.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is implemented for use with paylines.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system loads payline images as no-texture images, and wherein a single texture is used to display all paylines.
9. A sprite capture and reproduction system for a gaming machine having one or more processors and at least a base game, wherein a sprite is a graphic image that can move within a larger graphic image, the system comprising:
a sprite canvas API that reduces a number of canvases and textures needed for the base game;
a sprite capture component, wherein the sprite capture component and a processor enable capture of a compressed sprite in video memory for use as another sprite accessed by a spite interface; and
a sprite reproduction component, wherein the sprite reproduction component and a processor enable reproduction of independent animated images displayed on the gaming machine that are combinable in a larger animation, wherein an image of the independent animated images is reproduced using the captured sprite;
wherein a bonus game uses at least one image of the base game on a shared texture to thus reduce memory usage;
wherein a no-texture image is rendered by adding the no-texture image to a member of a descendent of a sprite canvas's hierarchy tree.
10. A sprite capture and reproduction method for a gaming machine having one or more processors and at least a base game, wherein a sprite is a graphic image that can move within a larger graphic image, the method comprising:
providing a sprite canvas API that reduces a number of canvases and textures needed for the base game;
capturing of a compressed sprite in video memory for use as another sprite accessed by a sprite interface; and
reproducing independent animated images displayed on the gaming system that are combinable in a larger animation, wherein a discrete texture for each and every image that is loaded is not required;
wherein an image of the independent animated images is reproduced using a processor, and the captured sprite;
wherein a bonus game uses at least one image of the base game on a shared texture to thus reduce memory usage;
wherein a no-texture image is rendered by adding the no-texture image to a member of a descendent of a sprite canvas's hierarchy tree.