Gaming display device

• US 6,656,043 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company Incorporated (Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service)
• Inventors: Seelig, Jerald C., Henshaw, Lawrence M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US10/184,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20030027620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.2, 273/138.1, 273/143.R, 273/144.R, 273/144.A, 273/144.B, 463/17-20, 463/22
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/062 Bingo games, e.g. Bingo card games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/048 used for generating random numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes

Abstract

A display device comprising a plurality of prize balls, a ball holder adapted to hold the balls in an individually controlled manner, a controller adapted to select a prize ball, a display mechanism adapted to display the selected prize ball to the player; and a positioning mechanism in communication with the controller adapted to position the selected prize ball relative to the display mechanism. The display device may be combined with a jumbled ball display wherein the balls displayed by the display device appear to originate from the jumbled ball display. The display device may also be combined with a game apparatus that is adapted to allow players to play a game. In this embodiment, the display device may provide a bonus award for the player. Several games are also provided that may be used with the display device. In an alternative embodiment, the jumbled ball display is replaced with a video display device that displays the balls in video form. The display device may also be replaced by the video display device in which case a prize ball appears to be randomly selected from the agitated display balls.

Claims

1. A gaming device, the gaming device comprising:

(A) a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game;

(B) a plurality of display balls;

(C) at least one container, the container being adapted to hold the display balls, the container having at least one portion that is at least partially transparent, wherein the player may view the balls in the container;

(D) at least one agitator, the agitator being adapted to agitate the display balls inside of the container;

(E) a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(F) at least one ball holder, the ball holder being adapted to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;

(G) a controller in communication with the game apparatus, the controller being adapted to cause a random event to be generated and cause at least one prize ball in the ball holder corresponding to the random event to be selected;

(H) a display mechanism in communication with the controller, the display mechanism being adapted to display the selected prize ball to the player; and

(I) a pre-selected symbol display, the pre-selected symbol display being configured to display at least one pre-selected symbol.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the controller randomly selects the pre-selected symbol.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the player selects the pre-selected symbol.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, further comprising a prize ball symbol display in communication with the controller, the prize ball symbol display being configured to display at least one prize ball symbol from a prize ball selected by the controller.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

6. The gaming device of claim 5, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the pre-selected symbol display is configured to display a plurality of pre-selected symbols.

8. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the prize ball selected by the controller is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

9. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

10. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the pre-selected symbols are displayed in a sequential order and the gaming device is adapted to select and display a plurality of prize balls in a sequential order, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

11. A display device for playing a game, the gaming device comprising:

(A) a plurality of display balls;

(B) at least one container, the container being adapted to hold the display balls, the container comprising a wall, at least a portion of the wall being at least partially transparent;

(C) at least one agitator, the agitator being adapted to agitate the display balls inside of the container;

(D) a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(E) a ball holder, the ball holder being adapted to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;

(F) a controller, the controller being adapted to cause a random event to be generated and cause at least one prize ball in the ball holder corresponding to the random event to be selected;

(G) a display mechanism, the display mechanism being adapted to communicate with the controller and display the selected prize ball to the player; and

(H) a pre-selected symbol display, the pre-selected symbol display being configured to display at least one pre-selected symbol.

12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the controller randomly selects the pre-selected symbol.

13. The display device of claim 11, wherein the player selects the pre-selected symbol.

14. The display device of claim 11, further comprising a prize ball symbol display in communication with the controller, the prize ball symbol display being configured to display at least one prize ball symbol from a prize ball selected by the controller.

15. The display device of claim 11, wherein the display device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

16. The display device of claim 15, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

17. The display device of claim 11, wherein the pre-selected symbol display is configured to display a plurality of pre-selected symbols.

18. The display device of claim 17, wherein the display device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the prize ball selected by the controller is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

19. The display device of claim 18 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

20. The display device of claim 17, wherein the pre-selected symbols are displayed in a sequential order and the display device is adapted to select and display a plurality of prize balls in a sequential order, wherein the display device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

21. A display device for playing a game, the display device comprising:

(A) a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(B) a ball holder, the ball holder being adapted to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;

(C) a controller, the controller being adapted to cause a random event to be generated and cause at least one prize ball in the ball holder corresponding to the random event to be selected; and

(D) a display mechanism, the display mechanism being adapted to communicate with the controller and display the selected prize ball to the player; and

(E) a pre-selected symbol display, the pre-selected symbol display being configured to display at least one pre-selected symbol.

22. The display device of claim 21, wherein the controller randomly selects the pre-selected symbol.

23. The display device of claim 21, wherein the player selects the pre-selected symbol.

24. The display device of claim 21, further comprising a prize ball symbol display in communication with the controller, the prize ball symbol display being configured to display at least one prize ball symbol from a prize ball selected by the controller.

25. The display device of claim 21, wherein the display device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

26. The display device of claim 25, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

27. The display device of claim 21, wherein the pre-selected symbol display is configured to display a plurality of pre-selected symbols.

28. The display device of claim 27, wherein the display device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the prize ball selected by the controller is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

29. The display device of claim 28 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

30. The display device of claim 27, wherein the pre-selected symbols are displayed in a sequential order and the display device is adapted to select and display a plurality of prize balls in a sequential order, wherein the display device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

31. A method of playing a game with a player, the method comprising:

(A) providing a jumbled ball display, the display comprising a container and a plurality of display balls in the container, the container allowing the player to see the display balls;

(B) jumbling the balls in the container;

(C) providing a plurality of prize balls, the prize balls being separated from the jumbled ball display, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(D) selecting a pre-selected symbol;

(E) selecting a prize ball;

(F) displaying the pre-selected symbol; and

(G) displaying the selected prize ball to the player.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising randomly selecting the pre-selected symbol.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising allowing the player to select the pre-selected symbol.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

36. The method of claim 31, further comprising repeating steps (D) through (G), wherein a plurality of prize ball symbols are displayed and a plurality of pre-selected symbols are displayed.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if each of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising displaying the prize ball symbols and the pre-selected symbols in a sequential order.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

41. A method of playing a game with a player, the method comprising, not necessarily in the order shown:

(A) providing a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(B) storing the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;

(C) generating a random event;

(D) selecting a prize ball corresponding to the random event;

(E) selecting a pre-selected symbol;

(F) displaying the pre-selected symbol; and

(G) displaying the selected prize ball to the player.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising randomly selecting the pre-selected symbol.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising allowing the player to select the pre-selected symbol.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising repeating steps (C) through (F),

wherein a plurality of prize ball symbols are displayed and a plurality of pre-selected symbols are displayed.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if each of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the prize ball symbols.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising displaying the prize ball symbols and the pre-selected symbols in a sequential order.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

51. A method of playing a game, the method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order shown:

(A) providing a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game;

(B) providing a jumbled ball display, the display comprising a container and a plurality of display balls in the container, the container allowing the player to see the display balls in the container;

(C) jumbling the balls in the container;

(D) providing a plurality of prize balls, the prize balls being separated from the jumbled ball display, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(E) selecting a pre-selected symbol;

(F) generating a random event;

(G) selecting a prize ball corresponding to the random event;

(H) displaying the pre-selected symbol; and

(I) displaying the selected prize ball to the player.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising randomly selecting the pre-selected symbol.

53. The method of claim 51, further comprising allowing the player to select the pre-selected symbol.

54. The method of claim 51, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the prize awarded to the player is represented by the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball.

56. The method of claim 51, further comprising repeating steps (E) through (H), wherein a plurality of prize ball symbols are displayed and a plurality of pre-selected symbols are displayed.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if each of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the prize ball symbols.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising displaying the prize ball symbols and the pre-selected symbols in a sequential order.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

61. A gaming device, the gaming device comprising:

(A) a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game; and

(B) a jumbled ball display device, the display device comprising;

(a) a plurality of display balls;

(b) at least one container, the container being adapted to hold the display balls, the container having at least one portion that is at least partially transparent, wherein the player may view the balls in the container; and

(c) at least one agitator, the agitator being adapted to agitate the display balls inside of the container, wherein the jumbled ball display device does not affect the outcome of the game played on the game apparatus; and

(C) a prize display in communication with the game apparatus, the prize display comprising;

(a) a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon,

(b) a controller, the controller being configured to select at least one prize ball and cause the selected prize ball to be displayed to the player;

(c) a pre-selected symbol display, the pre-selected symbol display being configured to display at least one pre-selected symbol.

62. The gaming device of claim 61, wherein the controller randomly selects the pre-selected symbol.

63. The gaming device of claim 61, wherein the player selects the pre-selected symbol.

64. The gaming device of claim 61, further comprising a prize ball symbol display in communication with the controller, the prize ball symbol display being configured to display at least one prize ball symbol from a prize ball selected by the controller.

65. The gaming device of claim 61, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

66. The gaming device of claim 65, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

67. The gaming device of claim 61, wherein the pre-selected symbol display is configured to display a plurality of pre-selected symbols.

68. The gaming device of claim 67, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the prize ball selected by the controller is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

69. The gaming device of claim 68 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

70. The gaming device of claim 67, wherein the pre-selected symbols are displayed in a sequential order and the gaming device is adapted to select and display a plurality of prize balls in a sequential order, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

71. A gaming device, the gaming device comprising:

(A) a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game;

(B) a video display device, the video display device being adapted to display an image of a plurality of display balls;

(C) a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(D) at least one ball holder, the ball holder being adapted to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;

(E) a controller, the controller being adapted to cause a random event to be generated and cause at least one prize ball in the ball holder corresponding to the random event to be selected;

(F) a display mechanism in communication with the controller, the display mechanism being adapted to display a selected prize ball to the player; and

(G) a pre-selected symbol display, the pre-selected symbol display being configured to display at least one pre-selected symbol.

72. The gaming device of claim 71, wherein the controller randomly selects the pre-selected symbol.

73. The gaming device of claim 71, wherein the player selects the pre-selected symbol.

74. The gaming device of claim 71, further comprising a prize ball symbol display in communication with the controller, the prize ball symbol display being configured to display at least one prize ball symbol from a prize ball selected by the controller.

75. The gaming device of claim 71, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

76. The gaming device of claim 75, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

77. The gaming device of claim 71, wherein the pre-selected symbol display is configured to display a plurality of pre-selected symbols.

78. The gaming device of claim 77, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the prize ball selected by the controller is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

79. The gaming device of claim 78 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

80. The gaming device of claim 77, wherein the pre-selected symbols are displayed in a sequential order and the gaming device is adapted to select and display a plurality of prize balls in a sequential order, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

81. A display device, comprising:

(A) a video display device, the video display device being adapted to display an image of a plurality of display balls;

(B) a plurality of prize balls, each prize ball having at least one prize ball symbol displayed thereon;

(C) a ball holder, the ball holder being adapted to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;

(D) a controller, the controller being adapted to cause a random event to be generated and cause at least one prize ball in the ball holder corresponding to the random event to be selected;

(E) a display mechanism in communication with the controller, wherein the controller causes the display mechanism to display the selected prize ball to the player; and

(F) a pre-selected symbol display, the pre-selected symbol display being configured to display at least one pre-selected symbol.

82. The gaming device of claim 81, wherein the controller randomly selects the pre-selected symbol.

83. The gaming device of claim 81, wherein the player selects the pre-selected symbol.

84. The gaming device of claim 81, further comprising a prize ball symbol display in communication with the controller, the prize ball symbol display being configured to display at least one prize ball symbol from a prize ball selected by the controller.

85. The gaming device of claim 81, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

86. The gaming device of claim 85, wherein the prize awarded to the player is a prize represented by the pre-selected symbol.

87. The gaming device of claim 81, wherein the pre-selected symbol display is configured to display a plurality of pre-selected symbols.

88. The gaming device of claim 87, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the prize ball selected by the controller is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

89. The gaming device of claim 88 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the pre-selected symbols.

90. The gaming device of claim 87, wherein the pre-selected symbols are displayed in a sequential order and the gaming device is adapted to select and display a plurality of prize balls in a sequential order, wherein the gaming device is adapted to award a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

91. A method of playing a game, the method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order shown:

(A) providing a video display device, the video display device being adapted to display an image of a plurality of display balls;

(B) displaying the image of the plurality of display balls in an agitated state;

(C) providing a plurality of physical prize balls;

(D) selecting a pre-selected symbol;

(E) selecting a physical prize ball from the plurality of physical prize balls;

(F) displaying the pre-selected symbol; and

(G) displaying the selected physical prize ball to the player.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising randomly selecting the pre-selected symbol.

93. The method of claim 91, further comprising allowing the player to select the pre-selected symbol.

94. The method of claim 91, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the prize awarded to the player is represented by the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball.

96. The method of claim 91, further comprising repeating steps (D) through (G),

wherein a plurality of prize ball symbols are displayed and a plurality of pre-selected symbols are displayed.

97. The method of claim 96, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if each of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

98. The method of claim 97 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the prize ball symbols.

99. The method of claim 96, further comprising displaying the prize ball symbols and the pre-selected symbols in a sequential order.

100. The method of claim 99, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.

101. A method of playing a game, the method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order shown:

(A) providing a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game;

(B) providing a video display device, the video display device being adapted to display an image of a plurality of display balls;

(C) displaying the image of the plurality of display balls wherein the display balls appear to be jumbled;

(D) providing a plurality of physical prize balls;

(E) selecting a physical prize ball from the plurality of physical prize balls;

(F) selecting a pre-selected symbol;

(G) displaying the pre-selected symbol; and

(H) displaying the selected physical prize ball.

102. The method of claim 101, further comprising randomly selecting the pre-selected symbol.

103. The method of claim 101, further comprising allowing the player to select the pre-selected symbol.

104. The method of claim 101, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball is equivalent to the pre-selected symbol.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the prize awarded to the player is represented by the prize ball symbol on the selected prize ball.

106. The method of claim 101, further comprising repeating steps (E) through (H), wherein a plurality of prize ball symbols are displayed and a plurality of pre-selected symbols are displayed.

107. The method of claim 106, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if each of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to at least one pre-selected symbol.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein the prize awarded to the player is the sum of the prize ball symbols.

109. The method of claim 106, further comprising displaying the prize ball symbols and the pre-selected symbols in a sequential order.

110. The method of claim 109, further comprising awarding a prize to the player if the sequential order of the prize ball symbols is equivalent to the sequential order of the pre-selected symbols.