Gaming display with moveable indicator and methods of use

Abstract

A gaming apparatus includes a display device having a display surface. The display surface has several indicia. A display device actuator is in communication with the display surface and is configured to move the display surface. An indicator can indicate at least one of the indicia appearing on the display surface as a game outcome. An indicator actuator is in communication with the indicator and can position the indicator. A controller is in communication with the display device actuator and the indicator actuator. The controller can position the display surface and the indicator in order to convey a game outcome. The indicator may move in a linear or circular manner. In another embodiment several stationary indicators may be positioned around the display surface in order to convey a game outcome.

1 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) a display device having a moveable display surface, the moveable display surface having a plurality of indicia;    (B) an indicator device mounted adjacent the display device, the indicator device being adapted to point to at least one of the indicia, the indicator device comprising: 
 (a) a belt;  
 (b) at least one indicator mounted to the belt; and  
 (c) a positioning mechanism coupled to the belt and operable to move the belt.  
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises: 
 (A) an indicator actuator coupled to the belt; and    (B) a controller in communication with the indicator actuator, the controller being configured to move the belt such that the indicator points to at least one of the indicia.    
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is in further communication with a display surface actuator, the display surface actuator being configured to move the display surface.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is imprinted on the belt.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the belt is supported for movement by a plurality of rollers.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the belt has a plurality of teeth that can be driven by a gear.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the indicia is backlit.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator device further comprises a player input device, the player input device being adapted to allow a player to control movement of the belt.  
     
     
         9 . A method of gaming not necessarily in the order shown, comprising: 
 (A) determining a game outcome;    (B) moving a display surface, the display surface having a plurality of indicia;    (C) moving an indicator;    (D) stopping the display surface; and    (E) stopping the indicator such that the indicator conveys the game outcome by pointing to at least one of the indicia.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator is coupled to a belt.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising allowing a player to control movement of the indicator.  
     
     
         12 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) display surface means for displaying a plurality of indicia;    (B) display surface actuator means for moving the display device means, the display surface actuator means being coupled to the display surface means;    (C) indicator means for indicating at least one of the indicia; and    (D) positioning means for moving the indicator means, the positioning means coupled to the indicator means.    
     
     
         13 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising controller means for controlling movement of the display surface means and the indicator means, the controller means being in communication with the display surface actuator means and the positioning means.  
     
     
         14 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising player input means for allowing a player to control movement of the indicator means.  
     
     
         15 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator means is a belt having at least one indicator mounted thereon.  
     
     
         16 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) a moveable display surface;    (B) a plurality of indicia mounted on the display surface;    (C) a display surface actuator coupled to the moveable display surface;    (D) a moveable indicator mounted to a belt and positioned adjacent to the moveable display surface;    (E) an indicator actuator coupled to the moveable indicator; and    (F) a controller in communication with the display surface actuator and the indicator actuator, the controller being configured to: 
 (a) determine a game outcome;  
 (b) move the display surface;  
 (c) move the indicator;  
 (d) stop the display surface; and  
 (e) stop the indicator such that in combination, the moveable display surface and the indicator indicate at least one of the indicia as the game outcome.  
   
     
     
         17 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the display surface is a flexible belt.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the indicator comprises a rotating belt.  
     
     
         19 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the indicator actuator drives the rotating belt through a driven roller.  
     
     
         20 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a player input device is in communication with the controller, the player input device being adapted to at least partially control movement of the indicator.