Gaming machine with unified image on multiple video displays

• US 6,569,018 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Jaffe, Joel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sager, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/877,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/9-11, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25-26, 463/29-31, 463/36, 463/40, 463/42, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 273/143.R, 273/292-293, 345/30, 345/55, 345/1.3, 345/1.1, 345/1.2, 345/4-5, 345/540, 345/418, 345/619, 348/383, 348/552
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/818 Fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8035 Virtual fishing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

A gaming machine comprising a first video-type display, a second video-type display and a controller. The second display is positioned adjacent the first display. A controller generates a unified image of a game of chance on the first and second displays. The unified image includes a first portion on the first display and a second portion on the second display.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager; and

at least a pair of video displays showing a unified image associated with said game of chance, said unified image including an object moving from one of said displays to the other of said displays such that said object appears to move off of said one of said displays as said object moves onto said other of said displays.

2. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said displays is positioned parallel to and either above or below the other of said displays.

3. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said displays is positioned aside and parallel to the other of said displays.

4. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said game of chance includes a basic game and a bonus game triggered by a start-bonus outcome in said basic game, said unified image being associated with at least one of said basic game and said bonus game.

5. The gaming apparatus of claim 4, wherein said basic game includes a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels simulated on one of said displays.

6. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said unified image includes a first portion on one of said displays and a second portion on the other of said displays, said first and second portions showing respective first and second actions that appear to be linked to each other.

7. The gaming apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first and second actions include respective first and second objects, said first object on the one of said displays appearing to cause movement of said second object on the other of said displays.

8. A method of operating a gaming apparatus, comprising:

providing at least a pair of video displays;

executing a game of chance in response to a wager; and

displaying a unified image associated with said game of chance on said pair of displays, said displaying said unified image including moving an object from one of said displays to the other of said displays such that said object appears to move off of said one of said displays as said object moves onto said other of said displays.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein one of said displays is positioned parallel to and either above or below the other of said displays.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein one of said displays is positioned aside and parallel to the other of said displays.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said game of chance includes a basic game and a bonus game triggered by a start-bonus outcome in said basic game, said unified image being associated with at least one of said basic game and said bonus game.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said basic game includes a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels simulated on one of said displays.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said unified image includes a first portion on one of said displays and a second portion on the other of said displays, said first and second portions showing respective first and second actions that appear to be linked to each other.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second actions include respective first and second objects, said first object on the one of said displays appearing to cause movement of said second object on the other of said displays.