Method and system for changing illumination of gaming machine display to complement game outcome

Abstract

A gaming device repetitively generating an outcome display, for each play, is positioned relative to a companion complementary display. The symbols dominant to a winning outcome, which are displayed after a play, are used to control the characteristic of the complementary display. Several symbols may be displayed to indicate a game outcome in association with color characteristics. In an embodiment, a color of light is associated with a particular game symbol.

1 . A gaming device for use by a player, comprising:
 a game display operable for displaying to the player at a given time a plurality of symbols, said plurality of symbols representing a game outcome, at least one said symbols having a characteristic of a color;   a complementary display area positioned in the view of the player during play, said complementary display controllable to display at least a plurality of colors; and   a controller for controlling the color of said complementary display area to complement the characteristic said symbols when displayed at said game display.   
   
   
       2 . A gaming device according to  claim 1  wherein said symbols are included in a game winning outcome. 
   
   
       3 . A gaming device according to  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to control the complementary display to display graphics in addition to said complementary color. 
   
   
       4 . A gaming device according to  claim 1 , wherein said complementary display area is positioned proximate to said game display. 
   
   
       5 . A gaming device according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller controls display of said color at a predefined time relative to the display of said outcome. 
   
   
       6 . A gaming device according to  claim 1  wherein said controller controls the complementary display to display at least one color to complement the characteristics of a plurality of symbols. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming device of  claim 6  wherein said controller controls the complementary display to display graphics with said at least one color to complement the characteristics of a plurality of symbols. 
   
   
       8 . A method for providing a game display to a player, comprising:
 displaying several ones of a plurality of symbols to a player at a game display, at least one symbol having visual characteristics including color;   generating at least one complementary color at a complementary display to complement said symbol; characteristic.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said step of displaying includes displaying at least a predetermined minimum of said symbols at the game display. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  comprising displaying several ones of a plurality of symbols to a player at a game display, at least a plurality of symbol having visual characteristics including color and generating at least one complementary color at a complementary display to complement said symbols; characteristic. 
   
   
       11 . A method of displaying a game to a player comprising:
 providing a game display area for display of game outcomes;   predefining a plurality of symbols;   displaying several ones, of a plurality of said symbols, in said game display area;   providing a complementary display area separate from said game display area; and   displaying at least a color having in said complementary display area when a particular one of said symbols is displayed in said game display area to complement the display of said one of said symbols.   
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11  and further including defining said at least a color prior to said step of displaying several ones of said symbols. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said step of displaying at least a color occurs for a predetermined period of time, a portion of which occurs when a particular one of said symbols is displayed in said game display area. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said predetermined period of time is shorter than the time during which a particular one of said symbols is displayed in said game display area. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said complementary display area provides a flashing effect. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said complementary display area provides a color in the form of simulated natural light for a player viewing said game display area. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said complementary display area identifies a betting pattern of symbols in said game display area. 
   
   
       18 . A slot machine comprising:
 a game display area comprising at least one rotatable reel including a plurality of game symbols, said plurality of symbols when displayed at the game outcome area representing a game outcome;   at least one complementary display area arranged with respect to said game display area, said at least one complementary display area configurable to display images including color to complement one or more of said displayed symbols; and   a controller adapted to control said images at least one complementary display, said controller controlling said images in accordance with said one or more symbols displayed in said game display area.   
   
   
       19 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said game display area comprising at least one rotatable reel comprises a video display area displaying video representations of at least one rotatable reel. 
   
   
       20 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one rotatable reel comprises at least one electromechanical rotatable reel. 
   
   
       21 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said complementary display area is controlled by said controller to complement characteristics of the symbols of winning combinations. 
   
   
       22 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said complementary display area is controlled by said controller to create a flashing effect when observed by a player. 
   
   
       23 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one complementary display area is controlled by said controller to illuminate at least one but less than all symbols on said at least one rotatable reel. 
   
   
       24 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one complementary display area is controlled by said controller to illuminate an area of said game display area with colored light of a different color from normal game display area illumination in response to an event occurring during operation of the slot machine. 
   
   
       25 . A slot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one complementary display area is controlled by said controller to illuminate a betting combination on said at least one rotatable reel.