Display and control system for gaming
A display device, for use with a gaming apparatus, having a display face, a movable indicator located on the display face and a movement apparatus including an actuator system for providing multi-dimensional movement to the movable indicator via a slidable bracket, is disclosed. Typically, the actuator system generates movement of the movable indicator (ultimately associated with game play outcomes) along a pathway on the display face via a motor coupled to a spring-loaded tube sleeve connected to the slidable bracket. The display device is capable of providing movement of the movable indicator on the display face in a variety of arrangements, for example, in the form of zigzag, curve, spiral, or loop courses as well as tracking over a non-planar surface, such as hilly terrain.
1 . A gaming device comprising:
(a) at least one gaming apparatus configured to allow at least one player to place a wager and play at least one game; and
(b) and at least one display device in communication with the gaming apparatus, wherein the display device comprises:
(i) at least one display face;
(ii) at least one movable indicator; and
(iii) at least one movement apparatus comprising at least one actuator system comprising a slidable bracket assembly, wherein the movement apparatus is configured to provide the movable indicator with multi-dimensional movement in relation to the display face.
2 . The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the actuator system further comprises:
(a) the slidable bracket assembly comprising:
(i) a tube sleeve;
(ii) a bracket slidably coupled at a first end to the tube sleeve and further coupled at a second end to the movable indicator; and
(iii) a spring mechanism mounted within the tube sleeve and configured to provide slidable movement to the bracket; and
(b) at least one propulsion device coupled to the slidable bracket assembly.
3 . The gaming device of claim 2 wherein the propulsion device is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a pulley, a rack and pinion and a moving belt.
4 . The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising at least one control system which governs at least part of operation of the movement apparatus.
5 . The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the display device further comprises a pathway along which the movable indicator is propelled, the pathway being located proximate to the display face and comprising a slot opening in the display face.
6 . The gaming device of claim 5 wherein the pathway comprises a shape selected from one or more of the group consisting of a zigzag, a curve, a spiral, a loop and a non-planar surface.
7 . The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the movement apparatus comprises a plurality of actuator systems acting in concert and configured to provide movement to at least one movable indicator.
8 . A display device in communication with a gaming apparatus, wherein the display device comprises:
(a) at least one display face;
(b) at least one movable indicator positioned proximate to the display face;
(c) a display associated with the display face; and
(d) at least one movement apparatus comprising at least one actuator system, wherein:
(i) the movement apparatus is configured to provide the movable indicator with multi-dimensional movement in relation to the display face;
(ii) the actuator system comprises a slidable bracket assembly coupled to a propulsion device; and
(iii) the slidable bracket assembly is further coupled to the movable indicator.
9 . The display device of claim 8 wherein (a) the slidable bracket assembly comprises a tube sleeve with a spring mechanism mounted therein, and a bracket slidably coupled to the tube sleeve, the bracket further coupled to the movable indicator, and (b) the slidable bracket assembly is coupled to the propulsion device via a threaded shaft.
10 . The display device of claim 8 wherein the propulsion device is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a pulley, a rack and pinion and a moving belt.
11 . The display device of claim 8 further comprising at least one control system which governs at least part of operation of the movement apparatus.
12 . The display device of claim 8 further comprising a pathway along which the movable indicator is propelled, the pathway being located proximate to the display face and comprising a slot opening in the display face.
13 . The display device of claim 12 wherein the pathway comprises a shape selected from one or more of the group consisting of a zigzag, a curve, a spiral, a loop and a non-planar surface.
14 . The display device of claim 8 wherein the display associated with the display face comprises indicia to communicate a winning outcome as a result of a player playing a game on the gaming apparatus.
15 . The display device of claim 8 wherein the movable indicator comprises a variable display design further comprising a light-emitting-diode meter.
16 . A gaming device actuator system comprising:
(a) a bracket slidably coupled at a first end to a tube sleeve, the bracket further coupled at a second end to a movable indicator, and the tube sleeve further coupled to a shaft;
(b) a spring mechanism mounted within the tube sleeve, the spring mechanism configured to provide slidable movement to the bracket; and
(c) at least one propulsion device configured to provide rotational motion, the propulsion device coupled to the shaft, the shaft being configured to transfer rotational motion.
17 . The actuator system of claim 16 further comprising a controller configured to detect a position of the movable indicator and to control at least a portion of operation of the propulsion device.
18 . The actuator system of claim 16 wherein the propulsion device is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a pulley, a rack and pinion and a moving belt.