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) a rotating indicator mounted adjacent the moveable display surface, the rotating indicator being adapted to point to at least one of the indicia, the rotating indicator comprising: 
 (a) a ring;  
 (b) at least one indicator disposed on the ring; and  
 (c) a positioning mechanism coupled to the ring and operable to move the ring.  
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises: 
 (A) an actuator coupled to the ring; and    (B) a controller in communication with the actuator, the controller being configured to move the ring such that the indicator points to at least one of the indicia.    
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the ring has an aperture.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the indicia are visible through the aperture.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the indicia is backlit.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is coupled to a driven roller, the driven roller being coupled to an actuator.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a player input device is coupled to the positioning mechanism, the player input device being adapted to allow a player to control rotation of the ring.  
     
     
         8 . 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) rotating 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.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising allowing a player to control rotational movement of the indicator.  
     
     
         10 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) display surface means for displaying a plurality of indicia;    (B) display surface actuator means for moving the display surface means, the display surface actuator means being coupled to the display surface means;    (C) rotary indicator means for indicating at least one of the indicia; and    (D) positioning means for moving the rotary indicator means, the positioning means being coupled to the rotary indicator means.    
     
     
         11 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising controller means for controlling movement of the display surface means and the rotary indicator means, the controller means being in communication with the display surface actuator means and the positioning means.  
     
     
         12 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising player input means for allowing a player to control movement of the rotary indicator means.  
     
     
         13 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the player input means allow a player to move the rotary indicator means in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.  
     
     
         14 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the indicia are arranged in a circle.  
     
     
         15 . 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 wheel positioned in front of the moveable display surface;    (E) an indicator disposed on the wheel;    (F) an indicator actuator coupled to the wheel; and    (G) 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) rotate the wheel;  
 (d) stop the display surface; and  
 (e) stop rotation of the wheel such that in combination, the moveable display surface and the indicator indicate at least one of the indicia as the game outcome.  
   
     
     
         16 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the display surface is a flexible band.  
     
     
         17 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the wheel has an aperture.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the indicia are arranged in a circle.  
     
     
         19 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein when the rotary indicator is stopped, the indicia are visible through the aperture.  
     
     
         20 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a player input device is in communication with the controller, the player input device being adapted to at least partially control rotational movement of the rotary indicator.  
     
     
         21 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein a player is allowed to select the final position of the indicator using the player input device.