Hybrid slot machine

Abstract

A hybrid slot machine, controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprises a video display and a generally flat panel mounted over the video display. The video display is operable to depict a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with at least one pay line. The flat panel forms one or more transmissive reel windows overlying and revealing the respective reels shown on the video display.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hybrid slot machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: 
 a video display for depicting a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with at least one pay line; and    a generally flat panel mounted over the video display and forming one or more transmissive reel windows overlying and revealing the respective reels.    
     
     
         2 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is imprinted with non-transmissive or low transmissive material encompassing and forming the transmissive reel windows.  
     
     
         3 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a liquid crystal display (LCD).  
     
     
         4 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a suspended particle device (SPD).  
     
     
         5 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the video display depicts a plurality of credit meters, the panel including a plurality of transmissive credit meter windows overlying and revealing the respective credit meters.  
     
     
         6 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the video display depicts a coin denomination corresponding to a minimum value of the wager, the panel including a transmissive coin denomination window overlying and revealing the coin denomination.  
     
     
         7 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the transmissive reel windows are transparent or translucent.  
     
     
         8 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a non-transmissive portion encompassing the transmissive reel windows so as to isolate the reels from each other.  
     
     
         9 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is comprised of glass or plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes graphics showing the at least one pay line.  
     
     
         11 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the transmissive reel windows are respective solid portions of the panel.  
     
     
         12 . The slot machine of  claim 1 , wherein the transmissive reel windows are respective openings in the panel.  
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a hybrid slot machine to be controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: 
 providing a video display for depicting a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with at least one pay line; and    mounting a generally flat panel over the video display, the panel forming one or more transmissive reel windows overlying and revealing the respective reels.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the panel is imprinted with non-transmissive or low transmissive material encompassing and forming the transmissive reel windows.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the panel is a liquid crystal display.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the panel is a suspended particles device (SPD) display.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the video display depicts a plurality of credit meters, the panel including a plurality of transmissive credit meter windows overlying and revealing the respective credit meters.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the video display depicts a coin denomination corresponding to a minimum value of the wager, the panel including a transmissive coin denomination window overlying and revealing the coin denomination.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the transmissive reel windows are transparent or translucent.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the panel includes a non-transmissive portion encompassing the transmissive reel windows so as to isolate the reels from each other.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the panel is comprised of glass or plastic.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the panel includes graphics showing the at least one pay line.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the transmissive reel windows are respective solid portions of the panel.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the transmissive reel windows are respective openings in the panel.