Gaming device with rotating display and indicator therefore Number:7,169,045 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A mechanical display and a mechanical indicator for gaming devices includes various embodiments, each of which have a number of elements in common. First, the embodiments each include a rotating set of symbols or indicia. Second, each of the embodiments includes an oscillating indicator, such as an arrow. The symbols rotate, appear and disappear from the player's view. In this manner, the player sees each of the symbols and hopes that the gaming device awards the symbol having the highest or best value. The one or more indicators move in a sequence to point out or indicate one of the symbols or one of the groups of symbols. The indicators provide a second random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player's attention must account for both the changing symbols and the moving indicators. The symbol eventually indicated produces, at least in part, a game outcome.<H therefore, indicator, Gaming, device, w, 7169045.html, Patent, pto, 7169045

Title: Gaming device with rotating display and indicator therefore

Abstract: A mechanical display and a mechanical indicator for gaming devices includes various embodiments, each of which have a number of elements in common. First, the embodiments each include a rotating set of symbols or indicia. Second, each of the embodiments includes an oscillating indicator, such as an arrow. The symbols rotate, appear and disappear from the player's view. In this manner, the player sees each of the symbols and hopes that the gaming device awards the symbol having the highest or best value. The one or more indicators move in a sequence to point out or indicate one of the symbols or one of the groups of symbols. The indicators provide a second random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player's attention must account for both the changing symbols and the moving indicators. The symbol eventually indicated produces, at least in part, a game outcome.

Patent Number: 7,169,045 Issued on 01/30/2007 to Nordman

Inventors: Nordman; Dennis (Lake Villa, IL)
Assignee: IGT (Reno, NV)

Appl. No.: 10/800,593

Filed: March 15, 2004

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
10243050	Sep., 2002	6712694

Current U.S. Class: 463/20 ; 273/138.2; 273/143R; 463/16

Current International Class: G07F 17/34 (20060101)

Field of Search: 273/143R,138.1,138.2 463/20,25,46,16

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Primary Examiner: Layno; Benjamin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC

Parent Case Text

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/243,050, filed on Sep. 12, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,694, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Claims

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager by a player, said gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a mechanical movable structure supported by the cabinet and having a plurality of different symbol groups displayed thereon, a plurality of said symbol groups each having a plurality of symbols, said movable structure operable to move to sequentially indicate each of the symbol groups in a same predefined plane; a mechanical indicator supported by the cabinet and operable to oscillate relative to the movable structure and independently from the movable structure to indicate one of the symbols from the symbol group indicated by the movable structure; and at least one processor programmed to cause the movable structure to move and then stop moving and position one of the symbol groups in the predefined plane to indicate said symbol group in the predefined plane, to cause the mechanical indicator to oscillate substantially parallel to said predefined plane and then stop oscillating to indicate one of the symbols from said indicated symbol group, and to provide an outcome to the player at least partially based on said indicated symbol.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to move the mechanical movable structure.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to oscillate the mechanical indicator.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical movable structure.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical movable structure.

6. The gaming device of claim , wherein the mechanical movable structure and mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially simultaneously.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the mechanical indicator to indicate a plurality of the symbols of at least one of the symbol groups at least one time before stopping to indicate one of the symbols from the indicated symbol group.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the outcome at least partially based on said indicated symbol from the indicated symbol group is selected from the group consisting of: a designated award associated with said indicated symbol, a selection from a prize pool, at least one free game, an incrementing of a progressive meter, and any combination thereof.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the movement of the mechanical movable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are determined at least in part by a random generation.

10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the movement of the mechanical movable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are each individually determined at least in part by a separate random generation.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a video monitor supported by the cabinet and operable to display a game, wherein the mechanical movable structure moves in conjunction with said game.

12. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the outcome is part of a secondary game triggered upon the occurrence of triggering event in the game operable upon a wager.

13. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure is prism shaped.

14. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure is operable only to display one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops moving.

15. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure is operable only to indicate one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops moving.

16. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially sequentially.

17. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical movable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to stop moving substantially simultaneously.

18. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager by a player, said gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a mechanical rotatable structure supported by the cabinet and having a plurality of different symbol groups displayed thereon, a plurality of said symbol groups each having a plurality of symbols, said rotatable structure operable to rotate to sequentially indicate each of the symbol groups in a same predefined plane; a mechanical indicator supported by the cabinet and operable to oscillate relative to the rotatable structure and independently from the rotatable structure to indicate one of the symbols from the symbol group indicated by the rotatable structure; and at least one processor programmed to cause the rotatable structure to rotate and then stop rotating to position one of the symbol groups in the predefined plane to indicate said symbol groups in the predefined plane, to cause the mechanical indicator to oscillate substantially parallel to said predefined plane and then to stop oscillating to indicate one of the symbols from said indicated symbol group, and to provide an outcome to the player at least partially based on said indicated symbol.

19. The gaming device of claim 18, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to rotate the mechanical rotatable structure.

20. The gaming device of claim 18, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to oscillate the mechanical indicator.

21. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical rotatable structure.

22. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical movable structure is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical movable structure.

23. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure and mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially simultaneously.

24. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the mechanical indicator to indicate a plurality of the symbols of at least one of the symbol groups at least one time before stopping to indicate one of the symbols from the indicated symbol group.

25. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the outcome at least partially based on the indicated symbol from the indicated symbol group is selected from the group consisting of: a designated award associated with said indicated symbol, a selection from a prize pool, at least one free game, an incrementing of a progressive meter, and any combination thereof.

26. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the rotation of the mechanical rotatable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are determined at least in part by a random generation.

27. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the rotation of the mechanical rotatable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are each individually determined at least in part by a separate random generation.

28. The gaming device of claim 18, which includes a video monitor supported by the cabinet and operable to display a game, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure rotates in conjunction with said game.

29. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the outcome is part of a secondary game triggered upon the occurrence of triggering event in the game operable upon a wager.

30. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is prism shaped.

31. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is operable to only display one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops rotating.

32. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is operable to only indicate one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops rotating.

33. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially sequentially.

34. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to stop moving substantially simultaneously.

35. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager by a player, said gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a mechanical movable structure supported by the cabinet and having a plurality of different symbol groups displayed thereon, a plurality of said symbol groups each having a plurality of symbols, said movable structure operable to move to sequentially indicate each of the symbol groups in a same predefined plane; a mechanical indicator supported by the cabinet and operable to oscillate relative to the movable structure and independently from the movable structure; and at least one processor programmed to cause the mechanical indicator to oscillate substantially parallel to said predefined plane and then stop oscillating, to cause the movable structure to move and then stop moving to position one of the symbol groups in the predefined plane to indicate said symbol group in said predefined plane and such that the mechanical indicator indicates one of the symbols from said indicated symbol group, and to provide an outcome to the player at least partially based on said indicated symbol.

36. The gaming device of claim 35, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to move the mechanical movable structure.

37. The gaming device of claim 35, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to oscillate the mechanical indicator.

38. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical movable structure.

39. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical movable structure.

40. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure and mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially simultaneously.

41. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the mechanical indicator to indicate a plurality of the symbols of at least one of the symbol groups at least one time before stopping to indicate one of the symbols from the indicated symbol group.

42. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the outcome at least partially based on said indicated symbol from the indicated symbol group is selected from the group consisting of: a designated award associated with said indicated symbol, a selection from a prize pool, at least one free game, an incrementing of a progressive meter, and any combination thereof.

43. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the movement of the mechanical movable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are determined at least in part by a random generation.

44. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the movement of the mechanical movable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are each individually determined at least in part by a separate random generation.

45. The gaming device of claim 35, which includes a video monitor supported by the cabinet and operable to display a game, wherein the mechanical movable structure moves in conjunction with said game.

46. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the outcome is part of a secondary game triggered upon the occurrence of triggering event in the game operable upon a wager.

47. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure is prism shaped.

48. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure is operable to only display one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops moving.

49. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure is operable to only indicate one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops moving.

50. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially sequentially.

51. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical movable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to stop moving substantially simultaneously.

52. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager by a player, said gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a mechanical rotatable structure supported by the cabinet and having a plurality of different symbol groups displayed thereon, a plurality of said symbol groups each having a plurality of symbols, said rotatable structure operable to rotate to sequentially indicate each of the symbol groups in a same predefined plane; a mechanical indicator supported by the cabinet and operable to oscillate relative to the rotatable structure and independently from the rotatable structure; and at least one processor programmed to cause the mechanical indicator to oscillate substantially parallel to said predefined plane and then to stop oscillating, to cause the rotatable structure to rotate and then stop rotating to position one of the symbol groups in the predefined plane to indicate said symbols group in said predefined plane, such that the mechanical structure indicates one of the symbols from said indicated symbol group, and to provide an outcome to the player at least partially based on said indicated symbol.

53. The gaming device of claim 52, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to rotate the mechanical rotatable structure.

54. The gaming device of claim 52, which includes an actuator controlled by the processor and operable to oscillate the mechanical indicator.

55. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical rotatable structure.

56. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet, and wherein the mechanical indicator is positioned substantially vertically relative to the cabinet and adjacent to the mechanical rotatable structure.

57. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure and mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially simultaneously.

58. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the mechanical indicator to indicate a plurality of the symbols of at least one of the symbol groups at least one time before stopping to indicate one of the symbols from the indicated symbol group.

59. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the outcome at least partially based on the indicated symbol from the indicated symbol group is selected from the group consisting of: a designated award associated with said indicated symbol, a selection from a prize pool, at least one free game, an incrementing of a progressive meter, and any combination thereof.

60. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the rotation of the mechanical rotatable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are determined at least in part by a random generation.

61. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the rotation of the mechanical rotatable structure and the oscillation of the mechanical indicator are each individually determined at least in part by a separate random generation.

62. The gaming device of claim 52, which includes a video monitor supported by the cabinet and operable to display a game, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure rotates in conjunction with said game.

63. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the outcome is part of a secondary game triggered upon the occurrence of triggering event in the game operable upon a wager.

64. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is prism shaped.

65. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is operable to only display one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops rotating.

66. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure is operable to only indicate one symbol group at a time when said mechanical structure stops rotating.

67. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to move at least partially sequentially.

68. The gaming device of claim 52, wherein the mechanical rotatable structure and the mechanical indicator are operable to stop moving substantially simultaneously.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to wagering gaming device displays.

Gaming devices provide fun and excitement to the player. Gaming, in general, provides an escape from the everyday rigors of life. Gaming devices and gaming establishments use bright lights and exciting sounds to set the gaming world apart from the rest of the world. Gaming devices, in particular, use one or more displays that enable the player to see and play the game. The displays typically portray the action of the game and ultimately indicate whether or not the player wins.

Slot machine displays have gone through a number of transitions since their inception in the late 1800's. Originally, slot machines displayed purely mechanical reels. While these machines gained enormous popularity, the mechanical nature of the reels limited the number of paystops, which limited the number of different symbols and the number of different winning symbol combinations.

The advent of the computer and the video monitor expanded the possibilities for gaming devices. There are now video poker, video blackjack and other types of video gaming machines. Video displays have also been implemented in slot machines. The video slot machines use computers to randomly generate symbol combinations from an expanded number of different symbols. Video reel strips can include a virtually unlimited number of symbols, which enables a wide variety of different symbol combinations to be employed, including combinations that appear very infrequently and yield high payouts.

With slot machines, the video monitors have also been used to provide bonus or secondary games. Bonus games have become much more prevalent and elaborate in recent years. Players play the base game of slot until becoming eligible for a bonus game. The base game temporarily pauses, while the player plays the bonus game. When the player completes the bonus game, the gaming device returns the player to the bonus game.

It should therefore be appreciated that a single video monitor is often sufficient to provide both the base game of slot and one or more bonus games that become triggered by the slot game. As seen in FIG. 1B, there is room on the cabinet of gaming device 10b for an upper display area 32. This area, however, is often not used for gaming purposes and may simply provide a graphic and/or lettering that pertains to a theme of the gaming device.

Video monitors and in particular video-based slot machines are likely going to continue growing in popularity. As the video monitor has been used more and more, however, there has been a growing sentiment that some of the mystique of the old time mechanical gaming devices is lost when mechanical reels and mechanical displays are replaced by a video monitor.

Accordingly, a need exists to provide a gaming device that may use a video monitor, which provides increased flexibility to the gaming device to add more symbols and more elaborate bonus games, while providing some aspect of the gaming device that is mechanical and provides a fun and exciting mechanical display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mechanical display and indication for wagering gaming devices. The present invention includes various embodiments, each of which have a number of common elements. First, the embodiments each include a rotating set of symbol groups or indicia groups. The set includes at least two symbol groups and each symbol group includes a plurality of symbols. The symbol groups or groups of symbols rotate, appear and disappear from the player's view. In this manner, the player sees each of the symbol groups and hopes that the gaming device awards the symbol representing the highest or best value from one of the symbol groups. The rotating symbol groups provide a first random generation. Second, each of the embodiments includes a translating or oscillating indicator such as an arrow. One or more indicators move in a sequence to point out or indicate one of the symbols from one the groups of symbols. The indicators provide a second random generation and a second visual element which produces the final outcome. These random generations can be simultaneous or sequential. The player's attention is thus directed to both random generations including the changing symbol groups and the translating or oscillating indicator.

The gaming devices operable with the present invention include but are not limited to the games of slot, poker, keno, blackjack, bunco and checkers. The display and indicator operates with these base games and/or any bonus game, bonus triggering event, progressive game or any other type of secondary game thereof.

In one preferred embodiment, the display and indicator of the present invention operate with the game of slot and in particular a bonus game of a slot machine. That is, one or more indicators of the present invention point to or indicate an award provided to the player that is in addition to the winnings from the primary slot game. The symbols or indicia indicated by the display can represent any type of award or benefit for the player, such as base game credits, a multiplier of base game credits, a number of picks from a prize pool, a progressive game incrementation, a number of free spins or free games and any combination thereof. The indicia can also signal the player's entry into a bonus game or into a different area of the base game.

For purposes of describing the present invention, the term symbol includes any suitable symbol or images such as numbers of a number of credits, values, letters or words such as the words "Free spin," or playing cards. Each of these types of indicia has or potentially has a value to the player.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display includes a multisided or multi-surfaced structure rotatable about an axis. For example, in one embodiment the structure is of a prism shape and has three surfaces. It should be appreciated, however, that the structure could be cylindrical and therefore have only one symbol displaying surface. The surfaces each display one of the symbol groups. In another embodiment, multiple structures are provided that move collectively and that each display at least one symbol of the symbol group. A motor or other type of motion control device rotates the structure, so that the symbol groups are sequentially shown and then hidden from the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device rotates each of the symbol groups into the player's view at least once.

One embodiment includes a single indicator that oscillates or translates back and forth to sequentially indicate each of the symbols or symbol positions of the symbol groups. In one embodiment, the indicator includes an arrow. After a period of time, both the rotation of the structure and the oscillation or translation of the indicator stop sequentially or simultaneously, wherein the indicator points to or indicates one of the symbols in one of the symbol groups. The gaming device uses the indicated symbol in a designated manner, such as to provide a number of base game credits to the player, to provide a number of free games or free spins, to provide a number of picks from a prize pool, to indicate the entry into a bonus game, to increment a progressive jackpot and any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, a single motor rotates the structure and translates or oscillates the indicator. One or more mechanical linkages and gears enable the motor to drive the structure and the indicator and to convert rotational motion to translational or oscillating motion. Here, when the motor stops moving, the structure and indicator stop moving simultaneously. Proper gearing enables the structure and indicator to move at desired relative speeds.

In another embodiment, a separate motion control device is used to drive the structure and the indicator. A actuator such as a motor, for example, can be directly or indirectly coupled to a shaft connected to the structure. Another actuator such as a motor can be coupled to one or more mechanical linkages and/or gears that convert the motor's rotational motion to the translational motion of the indicator. When the motors run independently, either the structure or the indicator can stop moving at different times. The structure and indicator can alternatively move at completely different times, e.g., one after the other.

In this primary embodiment, the rotation of the structure provides one random element and the ultimate location of the indicator provides another. Each side or surface of the structure has a symbol group including a plurality of symbols of any average amount desired by the game implementor. One of the sides may have a symbol having a relatively large value adjacent to a symbol having a relatively small value. If this side is ultimately presented to the player, the indicator points to either the large or small valued symbol, one of which is ultimately provided to the player. Other sides can have a plurality of medium valued symbols. Other sides can have mixed symbols, e.g., mixed credits or multipliers, mixed credits and free spins, mixed credits and picks from a prize pool, etc.

Another primary embodiment of the present invention includes multiple translating indicators. Here, instead of a single indicator translating or oscillating back and forth, sequentially pointing to different symbols or symbol positions, each indicator moves towards or away from a single associated symbol position of each of the groups. In one preferred embodiment, only one indicator is close to its symbol, i.e., indicating the symbol, at a given time. Other indicators may at the same time be in the process of moving towards their respective symbol positions. Still other indicators are fully moved away from their respective symbol positions. When the structure stops rotating and the indicators or arrows stop translating, the gaming device awards the player with the value of the symbol of the indicator closest to its associated symbol. The award can be any of those described above. In one such embodiment, a motor is coupled to a lead screw which drives a cam to oscillate the indicator. As the motor spins, the cam translates along the lead screw. The cam has a shape, such as a triangular shape that pushes one or more of the indicators towards the associated symbol position. The indicator currently located at the tip of the cam is the one that is currently closest to and therefore indicating its associated symbol position. The symbols in the symbol positions change due to the rotation of the structure. The indicators are spring loaded and return to their "non-indicating" position once the cam passes by.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are rear elevation and side elevation views of one embodiment of the rotating display and translating indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the rotating display and indicator illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 5 is another front elevation view of the rotating display and indicator illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the present invention having a rotating display and multiple translating indicators of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another front elevation view of the embodiment of the present illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of the present illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display and display indicators that operate with a multitude of primary or base wagering games, including but not limited to the games of slot, poker, keno, blackjack, bunco and checkers. In an embodiment, the display and indicators operate in conjunction with secondary or bonus games, which in turn operate in conjunction with the above listed primary games. Besides such base and bonus games, the present invention can operate with any of the bonus triggering events, as well as any progressive game coordinating with these base games. The symbols and indicia used for any of the primary or base games, bonus or secondary games or progressive games include any suitable symbols, images or indicia.

One primary embodiment for the display and display indicators is with a slot game. Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1A and 1B, one slot machine embodiment is illustrated. Gaming devices 10a and 10b illustrate two possible cabinet styles and display arrangements and are collectively referred to herein as gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 is illustrated as having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine, wherein the player operates the gaming device while standing or sitting. Gaming device 10 also includes being a pub-style or table-top game (not shown), which a player operates while sitting.

Gaming device 10 includes monetary input devices. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a coin slot 12 for coins or tokens and/or a payment acceptor 14 for cash money. The payment acceptor 14 also includes other devices for accepting payment, such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or smart cards, tickets, notes, etc. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the credit display 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one. A player may cash out by pushing a cash out button 26 to receive coins or tokens in the coin payout tray 28 or other forms of payment, such as an amount printed on a ticket or credited to a credit card, debit card or smart card. Well known ticket printing and card reading machines (not illustrated) are commercially available.

Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B include a display device 30 and a cabinet having an upper display area 32. The display device includes any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other static or dynamic display mechanism. In a video poker, blackjack or other card gaming machine embodiment, the display device includes displaying one or more cards. In a keno embodiment, the display device includes displaying numbers.

The display and display indication of the present invention is provided, in an embodiment, in the area of the upper display area the cabinets of gaming devices 10a and 10b of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The display and display indication of the present invention is provided, in another embodiment, on top of the rounded cabinet of gaming device 10a or rectangular cabinet of gaming device 10b. In a further embodiment, the top portion or top box of the gaming device is removed, creating a lower profile machine. Here, the display and display indication of the present invention sits on top of gaming device 10 but is lower to the ground than if the top box is not removed.

The slot machine embodiment of gaming device 10 includes a plurality of reels 34, for example three to five reels 34. Each reel 34 includes a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device displaying the video reels 34 is, in one embodiment, a video monitor. Gaming device 10 includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.

With reference to the slot machine base game of FIGS. 1A and 1B, to operate the gaming device 10, the player inserts the appropriate amount of tokens or money in the coin slot 12 or the payment acceptor 14 and then pulls the arm 18 or pushes the play button 20. The reels 34 then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels 34 again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the player may or may not win additional credits.

In addition to winning base game credits, the gaming device 10, including any of the base games disclosed above, also includes bonus games that give players the opportunity to win credits. The gaming device 10 employs a video-based display device 30 for the bonus games. The bonus games include a program that automatically begins when the player achieves a qualifying condition in the base game.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of an electronic configuration for gaming device 10 includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a display device 30; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is a microprocessor based platform that is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40 includes random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40 also includes read only memory (ROM) 48 for storing program code, which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player uses the input devices 44 to input signals into gaming device 10. In the slot machine base game, the input devices 44 include the pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24, the cash out button 26 and other player inputs. A touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 and processor 38. The touch screen enables a player to input decisions into the gaming device 10 by sending a discrete signal based on the area of the touch screen 50 that the player touches or presses. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 connects to the coin slot 12 or payment acceptor 14, whereby the processor 38 requires a player to deposit a certain amount of money to start the g