Gaming display with moveable indicator and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention comprises a gaming apparatus that includes a display device having a display surface. The display surface is moveable and may have several prize wheels or symbol sets that each have several indicia mounted thereon. An actuator is coupled with the display surface and can move the display surface. A controller is in communication with the actuator. The controller can position the display surface such that the prize wheels or other symbols appear to rotate and at least one of the indicia appearing on the prize wheel or symbol conveys a game outcome.

1 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) a display device having a moveable display surface, the moveable display surface comprising a plurality of sets of symbols, each symbol comprising a plurality of indicia;    (B) an actuator coupled with the moveable display surface such that the actuator can move the moveable display surface;    (C) an indicator for indicating at least one of the indicia; and    (D) a controller in communication with the actuator and the indicator, the controller being configured to position the display surface and to indicate at least one of the indicia appearing on the symbol as a game outcome.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the symbol sets are a plurality of prize wheels.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the prize wheels have a plurality of pie-shaped sections, each pie-shaped section containing one of the indicia.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a light for backlighting the display surface.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a pointer mounted adjacent to the display surface.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a player input device is in communication with the controller.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the player input device is used to select one of the symbols.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the player input device is used to select the indicator from a plurality of indicators.  
     
     
         9 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the player input device is a plurality of buttons.  
     
     
         10 . A method of gaming not all necessarily in the order shown, comprising: 
 (A) determining a game outcome;    (B) moving a display surface, the display surface having a plurality of sets of symbols, each symbol comprising a plurality of indicia;    (C) stopping the display surface; and    (D) indicating at least one of the indicia as the game outcome.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the symbols appear to rotate when the display surface is moved.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the game outcome is indicated by backlighting at least one of the indicia.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising allowing a player to select at least one of the symbols.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising allowing a player to select at least one indicator.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the symbol selected by the player contains the game outcome indicia.  
     
     
         16 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) display device means for displaying a plurality of symbol sets, each of the symbol sets having a plurality of indicia, the indicia being adapted to communicate a game outcome;    (B) actuator means for moving the display device means, the actuator means being coupled with the display device means;    (C) player input means for allowing a player to select at least one symbol from the symbol set;    (D) controller means for controlling movement of the display device means, the controller means being in communication with the actuator means and the player input means, the controller means being configured to move the display device means and to stop the display device means; and    (E) indicator means for indicating at least one of the indicia as the game outcome.    
     
     
         17 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the indicator means further comprises at least one indicator.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the indicator means further comprises at least one light for backlighting the indicia.  
     
     
         19 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the display device means further comprises a flexible belt having an inner surface and an outer surface, the symbol sets being located on the outer surface.  
     
     
         20 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible belt is supported for rotation by a plurality of rollers.  
     
     
         21 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) a moveable display surface;    (B) a plurality of indicia located on the display surface;    (C) an actuator coupled to the moveable display surface;    (D) a light source positioned adjacent to the moveable display surface;    (E) a display screen positioned adjacent to the moveable display surface; and    (F) a controller in communication with the actuator and the light source, the controller being configured to: 
 (a) determine a game outcome;  
 (b) move the display surface; and  
 (c) operate the light source such that a plurality of images are projected onto the display screen, at least one of the images conveying the game outcome.  
   
     
     
         22 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the display surface is a flexible band.  
     
     
         23 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the display surface is at least partially transparent.  
     
     
         24 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a shutter is mounted between the light source and the display surface.  
     
     
         25 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a lens is positioned adjacent to the display surface.  
     
     
         26 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the images simulate a movie.  
     
     
         27 . A method of gaming not all necessarily in the order shown, comprising: 
 (A) determining a game outcome;    (B) moving a display surface, the display surface having a plurality of images;    (C) projecting the images onto a display screen; and    (D) conveying the game outcome using at least one of the images.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the display surface is at least partially transparent.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising operating a shutter.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the projected images form a movie presentation.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the images are animated.