Gaming machine with integrated display
View Patent ↗A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game comprises a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image and a structure for displaying non-video artwork. The video and non-video artworks are visually linked to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game. The structure covers a portion, but not all, of the video screen. Thus, video images on conventional video screens may effectively be blended with non-video artwork to create entertaining and attractive displays.
1. A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game, comprising:
a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image; and
a physical structure for displaying non-video artwork, the dynamic video image and non-video artwork being visually blended to form an integrated dynamic image associated with the wagering game, the physical structure covering a portion, but not all, of the video screen and being moveable relative to the video screen, the movable physical structure interacting with the dynamic video image.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the integrated image represents a randomly selected event of the wagering game.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-video artwork includes stationary indicia.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is selectively illuminated to vary in color.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein changes to the color of the structure are synchronized with changes to the video image.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the video screen is included in an LCD display.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure exposes a portion of the video screen, the exposed portion having a non-rectangular shape.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is three-dimensional.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movable structure identifies one or more elements in the video image.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure includes a physical or virtual hole exposing an area of the video screen, the video image including an award in the area.
11. A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game, comprising:
a video screen;
a physical structure for displaying non-video artwork, the physical structure covering a portion, but not all, of the video screen, the physical structure being movable relative to the video screen; and
a controller for generating a dynamic video image on the video screen, the dynamic video image and non-video artwork being visually blended to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game, the moveable structure interacting with the dynamic video image.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the integrated image represents a randomly selected event of the wagering game.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the non-video artwork includes stationary indicia.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the structure is selectively illuminated to vary in color.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein changes to the color of the structure are synchronized with changes to the video image.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the video screen is included in an LCD display.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the structure exposes a portion of the video screen, the exposed portion having a non-rectangular shape.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the structure is three-dimensional.
19. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the movable structure identifies one or more elements in the video image.
20. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the structure includes a physical or virtual hole exposing an area of the video screen, the video image including an award in the area.
21. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
receiving a wager to play the wagering game;
displaying a dynamic video image on a video screen;
displaying non-video artwork on a physical structure, the physical structure covering a portion, but not all, of the video screen, the dynamic video image and non-video artwork being visually blended to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game;
moving the physical structure relative to the video screen; and
interacting the moving structure with the video image.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the integrated image represents a randomly selected event of the wagering game.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the non-video artwork includes stationary indicia.
24. The method of claim 23 , further including selectively illuminating the structure to vary in color.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the illuminating step includes synchronizing changes to the color of the structure with changes to the video image.
26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the video screen is included in an LCD display.
27. The method of claim 21 , further including randomly selecting an outcome for the wagering game, the integrated image being associated with the outcome.
28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the structure exposes a portion of the video screen, the exposed portion having a non-rectangular shape.
29. The method of claim 21 , wherein the structure is three-dimensional.
30. The method of claim 21 , wherein the interacting step includes identifying one or more elements in the video image with the moving structure.
31. The method of claim 21 , wherein the structure includes a physical or virtual hole exposing an area of the video screen, the video image including an award in the area.