MOVING INDICATOR
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a moving indicator that is positionable over individual gaming devices in a bank of gaming devices. The moving indicator includes a moveable platform and a moving unit for positioning the moveable platform above the individual gaming devices. The moving indicator includes a display and a plurality of selectable features. The display and selectable features can be selectively activated in response to events on the individual gaming devices.
1 . A moving indicator, comprising:
a moving unit; and
at least one moveable platform coupled to the moving unit, wherein the moving unit is configured to position the moveable platform above a selected gaming device among a bank of gaming devices.
2 . The moving indicator of claim 1 , wherein the moving unit comprises:
at least one track mounted on a wall; and
a motor configured to move the moveable platform along the at least one track.
3 . The moving indicator of claim 1 , wherein the moveable platform comprises:
a display;
a plurality of selectable features; and
a controller configured to control movement of the moveable platform and to activate the selectable features.
4 . The moving indicator of claim 3 , wherein the moveable platform further comprises an extender configured to move at least a portion of the moveable platform in an outward direction.
5 . The moving indicator of claim 3 , wherein the controller comprises a network adapter configured to communicate with at least one of a gaming server and the bank of gaming devices.
6 . The moving indicator of claim 5 , wherein the network adapter comprises a wireless network adapter.
7 . The moving indicator of claim 3 , wherein the selectable features include at least one of a light, a sound, and a moveable element.
8 . The moving indicator of claim 7 , wherein the moveable element is configured to expose a hidden element within the moveable platform.
9 . The moving indicator of claim 1 , wherein the moveable platform is configured to separate into at least two moveable platforms.
10 . A method of operating a selected gaming device among a bank of gaming devices, comprising:
positioning a moving indicator above the selected gaming device, the moving indicator including a moving unit and a moveable platform; and
activating the moveable platform in response to an event associated with the selected gaming device.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein positioning the moving indicator includes moving the moveable platform along at least one track, the track extending above the bank of gaming devices.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein activating the moveable platform includes activating at least one of a display, a light, a sound, and a moveable element.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein activating the moveable platform further includes activating the moveable element so as to expose a hidden element within the moveable platform.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein activating the moveable platform further includes displaying a win amount in the display.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving communications through a network adapter in the moveable platform from at least one of a gaming server and the bank of gaming devices, and wherein positioning the moving indicator includes moving the moveable platform responsive to the communications.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein activating the moveable platform comprises activating the moveable platform responsive to the communications.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein activating the moveable platform comprises activating the moveable platform responsive to a win proximity indication in the communications.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein positioning the moving indicator comprises:
splitting the moveable platform into at least two individual moveable platforms; and
moving each of the individual moveable platforms above a respective one of the gaming devices in the bank of gaming devices.
19 . A method of conducting a game of chance, comprising;
selecting an award;
identifying a player to receive the award; and
positioning a moving indicator disposed above one or more gaming devices to a position above a gaming device associated with the player responsive to the identifying.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing a screen notice on a display of the gaming device associated with the player.
21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising prompting the payer to look at the moving indicator.
22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein positioning the moving indicator comprises moving the moving indicator from a static position.
23 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising moving the moving indicator above the one or more gaming devices prior to identifying the player.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein moving the moving indicator above the one or more gaming devices comprises moving the moving indicator responsive to a game dictated event.
25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein moving the moving indicator above the one or more gaming devices comprises moving the moving indicator responsive to a player dictated event.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the player dictated event comprises at least one of selecting a color, selecting a theme, and selecting a sound.
27 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the award comprises a secondary game award.
28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising initiating a secondary game on the gaming device associated with the player after positioning the moving indicator.
29 . The method of claim 28 , further comprising activating a theme on the moving indicator at the completion of the secondary game.
30 . A gaming system, comprising:
a bank of gaming devices including a plurality of individual gaming devices;
a gaming server;
a moving indicator; and
a network connecting the gaming server to the moving indicator and the bank of gaming devices,
wherein the moving indicator includes a moving unit and a moveable platform and wherein the moving unit is configured to position the moveable platform above at least one of the individual gaming devices.
31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the moving unit comprises:
at least one track mounted on a wall; and
a motor configured to move the moveable platform along the at least one track.
32 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the moveable platform comprises:
a display;
a plurality of selectable features; and
a controller configured to control movement of the moveable platform and to activate the selectable features and the display.
33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the moveable platform further comprises an extender configured to move at least a portion of the moveable platform in an outward direction.
34 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the selectable features include at least one of a light, a sound, and a moveable element.
35 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the moveable element is configured to expose a hidden element within the moveable platform.
36 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the display is configured to display a win amount associated with the at least one of the individual gaming devices.
37 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the moveable platform is configured to separate into at least two individual moveable platforms.
38 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the network comprises a wireless network.
39 . A gaming system, comprising:
a moving indicator configured to identify a win on at least one gaming device associated with the moving indicator; and
a moving unit configured to position the moving indicator above the at least one gaming device responsive to the win.
40 . The gaming system of claim 39 , further comprising a screen on the at least one gaming device configured to provide a screen notice of the win.
41 . The gaming system of claim 40 , wherein the screen notice comprises a prompt to look at the moving indicator.
42 . The gaming system of claim 39 , wherein the moving indicator is further configured to remain static until the win is identified.
43 . The gaming system of claim 39 , wherein the moving unit is further configured to travel during gaming sessions before the win.
44 . The gaming system of claim 39 , wherein the moving unit is further configured to move the moving indicator in response to a game dictated event.
45 . The gaming system of claim 39 , wherein the moving unit is further configured to move the moving indicator in response to a player dictated event.
46 . The gaming system of claim 45 , wherein the player dictated event comprises at least one of selecting an unlockable feature, achieving a pre-determined number of points, selecting a color, selecting a theme, and selecting a sound.