Gaming terminal with transformable cabinet
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a method and system for operating a gaming terminal where the gaming terminal cabinet itself is an active feature or element of the wagering game. The method and system of the invention involve a gaming terminal cabinet that is transformable from a primary external configuration to a secondary external configuration. The transformation of the gaming terminal cabinet may be based on an outcome of a basic wagering game, a bonus wagering game, or both. The secondary external configuration may involve a single transformation or it may involve multiple transformations. At the end of the wagering game, the gaming terminal cabinet may be transformed back into the primary external configuration. The transformation of the gaming terminal cabinet may also be used to attract the attention of passersby when the gaming terminal is idle to thereby generate interest in the gaming terminal.
1. A gaming terminal having a physically transformable cabinet, comprising:
a first display configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game, said randomly selected outcome being selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input, said plurality of outcomes including at least one special event outcome;
a cabinet having a plurality of supporting walls for housing said first display and other internal components of said gaming terminal, said cabinet having an external configuration defined by said supporting walls, said external configuration including a primary external configuration and a secondary external configuration, said primary external configuration being physically different from said secondary external configuration; and
mechanical actuators mounted in said cabinet for automatically transforming said cabinet from said primary external configuration to said secondary external configuration upon occurrence of one of said at least one special event outcome in said wagering game, said transforming including extending at least one dimension of said external configuration of said cabinet as defined by said supporting walls.
2. The gaming terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said secondary external configuration comprises a second display supported by said cabinet for displaying a special event, said second display moved from a concealed position to an unconcealed position by said mechanical actuators upon occurrence of one of said at least one special event outcome.
3. The gaming terminal according to claim 2 , wherein said secondary external configuration further comprises an elongated top portion on said cabinet for housing said second display, said elongated top portion moved from a retracted position to an extended position by said mechanical actuators upon occurrence of one of said at least one special event outcome.
4. The gaming terminal according to claim 3 , wherein said second display is a flat panel display hingedly attached to said cabinet within said elongated top portion such that said flat panel is automatically rotated from said concealed position to said unconcealed position by said mechanical actuators upon occurrence of one of said at least one special event outcome.
5. The gaming terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one special event outcome starts a special event in said gaming terminal, said secondary external configuration comprising a predefined theme object of said gaming terminal, said predefined theme object moved from a concealed position in said gaming terminal to an unconcealed position on top of said gaming terminal by said mechanical actuators upon starting said special event.
6. The gaming terminal according to claim 5 , wherein said secondary external configuration further comprises an elongated top portion on said cabinet for housing said predefined theme object, said elongated top portion moved from a retracted position to an extended position by said mechanical actuators upon starting said special event.
7. The gaming terminal according to claim 5 , wherein said secondary external configuration further comprises an additional predefined theme object, said additional predefined theme object representing a monetary value that may be awarded in said special event, said additional predefined theme object moved from a concealed position in said gaming terminal to an unconcealed position on top of said gaming terminal by said mechanical actuators upon occurrence of a certain outcome in said special event.
8. The gaming terminal according to claim 5 , wherein said predefined theme object includes a physical facsimile of a dream house, said dream house having a sale price representing a monetary value that may be awarded in said special event.
9. The gaming terminal according to claim 8 , wherein said additional predefined theme object includes a physical facsimile of an improvement that may be added to said dream house to increase said sale price.
10. The gaming terminal according to claim 9 , wherein said improvement includes one or more of the following: a second storey for said dream house, a chimney for said dream house, landscaping for said dream house, and a rooftop patio for said dream house.
11. The gaming terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said mechanical actuators are configured to transform said cabinet from said secondary external configuration back to said primary external configuration.
12. A gaming terminal having a physically transformable cabinet, comprising:
a first display configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game, said randomly selected outcome being selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input, said plurality of outcomes including at least one special event outcome;
a cabinet for housing said first display and other internal components, said cabinet having an external configuration including a primary external configuration and a secondary external configuration, said primary external configuration being physically different from said secondary external configuration;
mechanical actuators mounted in said cabinet for automatically transforming said cabinet from said primary external configuration to said secondary external configuration upon occurrence of one special event outcome in said wagering game; and
at least one predefined theme object extendable between a concealed position retracted within the cabinet and an unconcealed position extended on top of the cabinet, said concealed position being achieved during said primary external configuration and said unconcealed position being achieved during said secondary external configuration.
13. The gaming terminal of claim 12 , wherein said at least one predefined theme object represents a feature won in response to triggering said special event outcome.
14. The gaming terminal of claim 12 , wherein said at least one predefined theme object represents a prize revealed in response to triggering said special event outcome.
15. The gaming terminal of claim 12 , wherein said at least one predefined theme object represents a level of monetary value to be awarded to a player.
16. The gaming terminal of claim 12 , wherein said at least one predefined theme object includes a plurality of common theme objects that in combination portray a unified object.
17. The gaming terminal of claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of common theme objects is extended independently from other ones of said plurality of common theme objects.
18. The gaming terminal of claim 16 , wherein said unified object is a house and said plurality of common theme objects include a second storey, a chimney, a rooftop patio ensemble, and landscaping.
19. The gaming terminal of claim 12 , wherein said special event outcome includes displaying a symbol corresponding to said at least one predefined theme object.