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 display surface, the display surface being moveable along a first path, the display surface comprising a plurality of indicia;    (B) an actuator coupled with the display surface such that the actuator can move the display surface along the first path;    (C) at least two indicators configured to indicate at least one of the indicia; and    (D) a controller in communication with the actuator and the indicators, the controller being configured to position the display surface and operate the indicators such that at least one of the indicia conveys a game outcome.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indicia are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicators are mounted adjacent the display surface.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicators each further include at least one light.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is in communication with the light.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rows and columns form a matrix.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of row indicators and a plurality of column indicators.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface has four sides.  
     
     
         9 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one indicator is mounted adjacent to each side.  
     
     
         10 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a player input device is in communication with the controller, the player input device allowing a player to select at least one of the indicators.  
     
     
         11 . A method of gaming not necessarily in the order shown, comprising: 
 (A) determining a game outcome;    (B) moving a display surface along a first path, the display surface having a plurality of indicia, the indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;    (C) stopping the display surface; and    (D) illuminating at least two indicators such that at least one of the indicia is indicated as the game outcome.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the illuminated indicators are orthogonal to each other.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising backlighting the indicated indicia.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising allowing a player to select at least one of the indicators using a player input device.  
     
     
         15 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) display surface means for displaying a plurality of indicia;    (B) actuator means for moving the display surface means along a first path, the actuator means being coupled to the display surface means;    (C) indicator means for indicating at least one of the indicia; and    (D) controller means for positioning the display surface means, the controller means being in communication with the actuator means and the indicator means, the controller means being configured to move the display surface means and to illuminate the indicator means such that the indicator means indicate at least one of the indicia.    
     
     
         16 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the indicia are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns.  
     
     
         17 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the indicator means further comprises a plurality of indicators, one of the indicators positioned adjacent to each of the rows and columns of indicia.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising player input means for allowing a player to select at least one indicator.  
     
     
         19 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 (A) a moveable display surface;    (B) a plurality of indicia carried by the display surface;    (C) an actuator coupled to the moveable display surface;    (D) a plurality of indicators mounted around the display surface; and    (E) a controller in communication with the actuator and the indicators, the controller being configured to: 
 (a) determine a game outcome;  
 (b) move the display surface;  
 (c) stop the display surface; and  
 (d) illuminate at least two indicators such that at least one of the indicia conveys the game outcome.  
   
     
     
         20 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the indicia are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.  
     
     
         21 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein a player input device is in communication with the controller, the player input device allowing a player to select at least one of the indicators.