Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing multiple display event indicators

• US 8,298,081 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2011
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Blomquist, Cari L., Merritt, Brent Alan, O'Day, Cullen Patrick, Stoveld, David James, Taylor, Kevin Norman, Ridge, George Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US13/162,138
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 463 20- 42
• US Class Current: 463/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein utilizes a single display device to display at least one event indicator which conveys information that is otherwise displayed over a plurality of display devices. In one embodiment, the gaming system employs a multiple layered display device, wherein at least one layer of the display device displays the play of the primary game and at least one layer of the display device displays one or more event indicators. Such event indicators indicate information regarding the play of a secondary game displayed on a secondary display device. Such a configuration alleviates the player from having to frequently look up at the secondary display to determine information regarding the play of the secondary game and then look back down to the primary display to view the play of the primary game.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a housing;

a first display device supported by the housing;

a second display device supported by the housing, said second display device arranged relative to the first display device such that a common line of sight passes through a portion of the first display device to a portion of the second display device;

a third display device supported by the housing, said third display device spaced apart from the first display device and the second display device;

at least one input device supported by the housing;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the first display device, the second display device, the third display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) cause the second display device to display a plurality of reels associated with a plurality of symbol display positions;

(b) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game;

(c) cause the third display device to display at least one secondary game symbol at least one secondary game symbol display position, wherein each secondary game symbol display position is associated with one of the symbol display positions of the plurality of reels;

(d) after causing the third display device to display the at least one secondary game symbol at the at least one secondary game symbol display position, for each secondary game symbol displayed, cause the first display device to display at least one event indicator at the symbol display position associated with the reels associated with the secondary game symbol display position of the displayed secondary game symbol;

(e) generate a plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels;

(f) cause the second display device to display the generated plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels; and

(g) if at least one symbol displayed by the second display device is a designated symbol and said designated symbol is displayed at the same symbol display position associated with the reels which the first display device displayed at least one event indicator, cause a secondary game award to be provided to the player.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the third display device is positioned above the first display device and the second display device.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the first display device to display at least one transparent portion.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the secondary game award to be provided to the player if a plurality of symbols displayed by the second display device are designated symbols and said designated symbols are displayed at the same symbol display positions associated with the reels which the third display device displayed a plurality of event indicators.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary game award is a plurality of free activations of the reels.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary game award is a monetary amount.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the at least one event indicator displayed by the first display device displays information associated with the secondary game such that the player is not required to look at a plurality of the spaced apart display devices to obtain information associated with said secondary game.

8. A gaming system comprising:

a housing;

a first display device supported by the housing;

a second display device supported by the housing, said second display device arranged relative to the first display device such that a common line of sight passes through a portion of the first display device to a portion of the second display device;

a third display device supported by the housing, said third display device spaced apart from the first display device and the second display device;

at least one input device supported by the housing;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the first display device, the second display device, the third display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game;

(b) cause the third display device to display at least one component of a secondary game;

(d) after causing the third display device to display the at least one component of the secondary game, cause the first display device to display indicia associated with the at least one component of the secondary game;

(e) generate a plurality of symbols for the play of the primary game;

(f) cause the second display device to display the generated plurality of symbols; and

(g) if at least one symbol displayed by the second display device is a designated symbol;

(i) cause the third display device to display said at least one designated symbol, and

(ii) cause a secondary game award to be provided to the player.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the third display device is positioned above the first display device and the second display device.

10. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the first display device to display at least one transparent portion.

11. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the secondary game award to be displayed to the player if a plurality of symbols displayed by the second display device are designated symbols.

12. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the secondary game award is a plurality of free activations of the primary game.

13. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the secondary game award is a monetary amount.