Wheel indicator and progressive bonus apparatus
View Patent ↗A game system including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. In an exemplary embodiment, the progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive an award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel.
1. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus comprising:
a wheel-shaped indicator having a surface displaying a plurality of segments radially extending from an axis of rotation, at least one of which is associated with a numeric value;
a motor coupled to said wheel-shaped indicator to rotate said wheel-shaped indicator around said axis of rotation;
a bonus apparatus;
a controller providing signals to said motor and to said bonus apparatus such that said wheel shaped indicator can be rotated by said motor to align a selected segment with a pointer and such that said bonus apparatus may be affected by said selected segment.
2. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a rotational position sensor detecting a rotational position of said wheel-shaped indicator and providing a signal to said controller.
3. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said controller further communicates with a game which includes at least an element of chance.
4. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said wheel-shaped indicator may be rotated in response to an event of said game.
5. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said bonus may be affected by said game.
6. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said bonus may be increased by said game.
7. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said bonus may be paid out, at least in part, to a player of said game.
8. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a sound effects generator coupled to said controller.
9. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said bonus apparatus is illuminated.
10. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus comprising:
a wheel-shaped indicator having a surface displaying a plurality of segments radially extending from an axis of rotation;
a motor coupled to said wheel-shaped indicator to rotate said wheel-shaped indicator around said axis of rotation;
a bonus apparatus;
a controller providing signals to said motor and to said bonus apparatus; and
a detector coupled to said controller, said detector to detect each segment of the plurality of segments;
wherein said wheel-shaped indicator can be rotated in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction under the control of said controller.
11. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising an award dispenser coupled to said controller.
12. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein at least a portion of said wheel-shaped indicator is illuminated.
13. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of said segments of said wheel-shaped indicator is illuminated.
14. A wheel indicator with bonus apparatus comprising:
a wheel-shaped indicator having a surface displaying a plurality of segments radially extending from an axis of rotation, where at least one of said plurality of segments is associated with a quantitative value including at least one of a number and a multiplier;
a motor coupled to said wheel-shaped indicator to rotate said wheel-shaped indicator around said axis of rotation;
a bonus apparatus; and
a controller providing signals to said motor and to said bonus apparatus, wherein at least one signal provided by said controller to said bonus apparatus is related to a quantitative value of a selected segment of said wheel-shaped indicator.