Wagering Game With Simulated Mechanical Reels

• US 20090075721A1
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fitzsimons, Matthew R., Gagner, Mark B., Thomas, Alfred, Rasmussen, James M., Pacey, Larry J., Mercado, Victor, Durham, Timothy J., Canterbury, Stephen A., Arezina, Vladimir I., Ralston, Samuel D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/30 characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A method and system of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A first set of video images are displayed on a curved surface approximately a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The first set of video images simulates movement of a first set of reel symbols. In response to a triggering event, a second set of video images are displayed on the curved surface. The second set of video images simulate a transitioning from the first set of reel symbols to a second set of reel symbols.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels, comprising:

receiving a wager to play the wagering game;

displaying a first set of video images on a curved surface approximating a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel, the first set of video images simulating movement of a first set of reel symbols; and

in response to a triggering event, displaying a second set of video images on the curved surface, the second set of video images simulating a transitioning from the first set of reel symbols to a second set of reel symbols.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second set of video images are projected onto a display surface that is spatially separated from the curved surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the curved surface includes a projection surface secured to a floating screen assembly.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of symbols is associated with a first wagering game having a first theme and the second set of symbols is associated with a second wagering game having a second theme.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of symbols is associated with a basic game of the wagering game and the second set of symbols is associated with a bonus game of the wagering game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of symbols is associated with a special event.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transitioning from the first set of symbols to the second set symbols includes at least one of the first set of symbols morphing into at least one of the second set of symbols.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transitioning from the first set of symbols to the second set symbols includes simulating movement of the first set of symbols before displaying the second set of symbols.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering event is initiated by input received over a server-based network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering event is initiated by input received from a player of the wagering game.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of video images simulates one or more first reel imperfections, and the second set of video images simulates one or more second reel imperfections.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first reel imperfections is substantially the same as at least one of the second reel imperfections.

13. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising:

a housing having a display region;

a controller configured to receive first video images of a first simulated symbol-bearing reel and second video images of a second simulated symbol-bearing reel;

a curved display surface in the display region and approximating a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel; and

an image display device spatially separated from the curved display surface, the image display device configured to project the first video images onto the curved display surface such that the curved display surface presents the first video images to the player and further configured to project, in response to a triggering event, the second video images onto the curved display surface, the second set of video images simulating a transition from the first simulated symbol-bearing reel to the second simulated symbol-bearing reel.

14. A gaming terminal of claim 13, further comprising a second image display device for displaying at least a portion of the second set of video images spatially separated from and superimposed on the curved display surface.

15. The gaming terminal of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of the second set of video images includes indicia related to the transition from the first simulated symbol-bearing reel to the second simulated symbol-bearing reel.

16. The gaming terminal of claim 13, wherein the curved display surface includes a projection surface secured to a floating screen assembly.

17. The gaming terminal of claim 13, wherein the first simulated symbol-bearing reel is associated with a first wagering game having a first theme and the second simulated symbol-bearing reel is associated with a second wagering game having a second theme.

18. The gaming terminal of claim 13, wherein the first simulated symbol-bearing reel is associated with a basic game of the wagering game and the second simulated symbol-bearing reel is associated with a bonus game of the wagering game.

19. The gaming terminal of claim 13, wherein the second simulated symbol-bearing reel is associated with a special event.

20. The gaming terminal of claim 13, wherein the transition from the first simulated symbol-bearing reel to the second simulated symbol-bearing reel includes a first symbol on the first simulated symbol-bearing reel morphing into a second symbol on the second simulated symbol-bearing reel.

21. A method of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels, comprising:

displaying a first video image of a first symbol-bearing reel on a curved surface approximating a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel; and

in response to a triggering event, displaying a second video image on the curved surface, the second video image simulating a transition from the first symbol-bearing reel to a second symbol-bearing reel.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first symbol-bearing reel is associated with a first wagering game having a first theme and the second symbol-bearing reel is associated with a second wagering game having a second theme.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the transition includes a first symbol on the first symbol-bearing reel morphing into, or being replaced with, a second symbol on the second symbol-bearing reel.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the transition includes simulating movement of the first symbol-bearing reel to a position out of view of a player as the second symbol-bearing reel comes into view of the player.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first symbol-bearing reel includes one or more first imperfections and the second symbol-bearing reel includes one or more second imperfections.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first imperfections is substantially the same as at least one of the second imperfections.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the displaying the first video image includes projecting the first video image from an image display device onto the curved surface, the image display device being spatially separated from the curved surface.

28. The method of claim 23, further including displaying a third video image spatially separated from, but superimposed onto, the curved surface, the third video image helping to portray removal of the first symbol and addition of the second symbol.