Multiple-state display for a gaming apparatus

Abstract

A gaming apparatus may include a display system, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and value input device. The display system may include a first display unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the first display unit and a light valve disposed between the first and second display units. The second display unit may include an opening. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the display system to generate a game display on the first display unit, cause the light valve to become substantially transparent so that the first display unit is visible through the opening, cause the display system to generate a video display on the second display unit, and determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

1 . A gaming apparatus, comprising: 
 a display system comprising a first display unit, a second video display unit having an opening disposed in front of said first display unit, and a light valve comprising a suspended particle device disposed between said first display unit and said second display unit;    a value input device;    a controller operatively coupled to said display system and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, 
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a player attraction display on said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said suspended particle device to become substantially opaque if said attraction display is generated on said second display so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a game display on said first display unit relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said suspended particle device to become substantially transparent if said game display is generated on said first display unit so that said game display is visible through said opening of said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a bonus game display on said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said suspended particle device to become substantially opaque if said bonus game display is generated on said second display unit so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said suspended particle device to become substantially transparent if a nonzero value payout is determined so that at least a portion of said first display unit is visible through said opening of said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a value payout display on said first display unit if said nonzero value payout is determined.  
   
   
   
       2 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images.  
   
   
       3 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , 
 wherein said first display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel,    wherein said mechanical slot machine reel is positioned relative to said second display unit so that at least a portion of said mechanical slot machine reel is visible through said opening if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       4 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , 
 wherein said first display unit comprises at least one mechanical, motion-capable device,    wherein said mechanical, motion-capable device is positioned relative to said second video display unit so that at least a portion of said mechanical, motion-capable device is visible through said opening if said suspended particle device is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       5 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second display unit comprises a flat-panel video display.  
   
   
       6 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , 
 wherein said second video display unit comprises a display screen,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a video display on said display screen,    wherein said opening of said second video display unit comprises a transparent portion of said display screen.    
   
   
       7 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said controller is programmed to generate said video display on said portion of said display screen.  
   
   
       8 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become translucent.  
   
   
       9 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a game display on said second display unit relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque when said game display is generated on said second display unit.    
   
   
       10 . A gaming apparatus, comprising: 
 a display system comprising a first display unit, a second display unit having an opening and disposed in front of said first display unit, and a light valve disposed between the first and second display units, wherein the second display unit comprises a video display unit;    a value input device;    a controller operatively coupled to said display system and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, 
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a game display on said first display unit relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially transparent if said game display is generated on said first display unit so that said game display is visible through said opening of said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a video display on said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.  
   
   
   
       11 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards to be displayed on said first display unit if said game comprises video poker,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed on said first display unit if said game comprises video slots,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed on said first display unit if said game comprises video blackjack,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to be displayed on said first display unit if said game comprises video keno,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be displayed on said first display unit if said game comprises video bingo.    
   
   
       13 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said first display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel,    wherein said mechanical slot machine reel is positioned relative to said second display unit so that at least a portion of said mechanical slot machine reel is visible through said opening if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       14 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , 
 wherein said mechanical slot machine reel comprises a light element,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light element to illuminate said mechanical slot machine reel if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       15 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , 
 wherein said mechanical slot machine reel comprises a light element,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light element to de-illuminate said mechanical slot machine reel if said light valve is substantially opaque.    
   
   
       16 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said first display unit comprises at least one mechanical, motion-capable device,    wherein said mechanical, motion-capable device is positioned relative to said second display unit so that at least a portion of said mechanical, motion-capable device is visible through said opening if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       17 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said second display unit comprises a flat-panel video display.  
   
   
       18 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said second display unit comprises an electroluminescent display.  
   
   
       19 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said second display unit comprises a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       20 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque so that said game display is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.  
   
   
       21 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become translucent.  
   
   
       22 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a game display on said second display unit relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque when said game display is generated on said second display unit.    
   
   
       23 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a bonus game display on said second display unit,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque if said bonus game display is generated so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       24 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a player attraction display on said second display unit,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque if said player attraction display is generated so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       25 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a first value payout display on said first display unit if said nonzero value payout is determined,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a second value payout display on said second display unit if a nonzero value payout is determined,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially transparent if a nonzero value payout is determined so that said first display unit is visible through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       26 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said video display on said second display unit relates to one of the following: player information, paytable information or game information.  
   
   
       27 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , 
 wherein said second display unit comprises a display screen,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate said video display on said display screen,    wherein said opening of said second display unit comprises a portion of said display screen.    
   
   
       28 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said controller is programmed to generate said video display on said portion of said display screen.  
   
   
       29 . A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in  claim 10 , said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.  
   
   
       30 . A gaming system as defined in  claim 29 , wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.  
   
   
       31 . A gaming apparatus, comprising: 
 a display system comprising a first display unit, a second display unit having an opening and disposed in front of said first display unit, and a light valve disposed between the first and second display units, wherein the second display unit comprises a video display unit;    a value input device;    a controller operatively coupled to said display system and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, 
 said controller being programmed to receive data representing a payline selection made by a player,  
 said controller being programmed to cause a game display to be generated by said display unit, said game display comprising images of a plurality of slot machine symbols each of which is associated with a respective slot machine reel,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially transparent if said game display is generated on said first display so that one or more of said slot machine symbols are visible through said opening of said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to cause said display system to generate a video display on said second display unit,  
 said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a configuration of said slot machine symbols.  
   
   
   
       32 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said first display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images.  
   
   
       33 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed on said first display unit.  
   
   
       34 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said controller is programmed to receive payline data representing a number of paylines selected by the player.  
   
   
       35 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said first display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel,    wherein said mechanical slot machine reel is positioned relative to said second display unit so that at least a portion of said mechanical slot machine reel is visible through said opening if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       36 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 35 , 
 wherein said mechanical slot machine reel comprises a light element,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light element to illuminate said mechanical slot machine reel if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       37 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 35 , 
 wherein said mechanical slot machine reel comprises a light element,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light element to de-illuminate said mechanical slot machine reel if said light valve is substantially opaque.    
   
   
       38 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said first display unit comprises at least one mechanical, motion-capable device,    wherein said mechanical, motion-capable device is positioned relative to said second display unit so that at least a portion of said mechanical, motion-capable device is visible through said opening if said light valve is substantially transparent.    
   
   
       39 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said second display unit comprises a flat-panel video display.  
   
   
       40 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque so that said slot machine symbols are obscured through said opening of said second display unit.  
   
   
       41 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become translucent.  
   
   
       42 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a game display on said second display unit relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque when said game display is generated on said second display unit.    
   
   
       43 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a bonus game display on said second display unit,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque if said bonus game display is generated so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       44 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a player attraction display on said second display unit,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially opaque if said player attraction display is generated so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       45 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a first value payout display on said first display unit if said nonzero value payout is determined,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate a second value payout display on said second display unit if a nonzero value payout is determined,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said light valve to become substantially transparent if a nonzero value payout is determined so that said first display unit is visible through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       46 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said video display on said second display unit relates to one of the following: player information, paytable information or game information.  
   
   
       47 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , 
 wherein said second display unit comprises a display screen,    wherein said controller is programmed to cause said display system to generate said video display on said display screen,    wherein said opening of said second display unit comprises a portion of said display screen.    
   
   
       48 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 47 , wherein said controller is programmed to generate said video display on said portion of said display screen.  
   
   
       49 . A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in  claim 31 , said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.  
   
   
       50 . A gaming method, comprising: 
 causing a game display of one of the following games to be generated on a first display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,    causing a video display to be generated on a second display unit disposed in front of said first display unit, said second display unit comprising an opening,    causing a light valve disposed between said first and second display units to become substantially transparent if said game display is generated on said first display unit so that said game display is visible through said opening of said second display unit, and    determining a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image.    
   
   
       51 . A gaming method as defined in  claim 50 , additionally comprising: 
 causing said light valve to become substantially opaque so that said game display is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       52 . A gaming method as defined in  claim 50 , additionally comprising: 
 causing a game display of one of the following games to be generated on said second display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,    causing said light valve to become substantially opaque when said game display is generated on said second display unit.    
   
   
       53 . A gaming method as defined in  claim 50 , additionally comprising: 
 causing a bonus game display to be generated on said second display unit,    causing said light valve to become substantially opaque if said bonus game display is generated so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       54 . A gaming method as defined in  claim 50 , additionally comprising: 
 causing a player attraction display to be generated on said second display unit,    causing said light valve to become substantially opaque if said player attraction display is generated so that said first display unit is obscured through said opening of said second display unit.    
   
   
       55 . A gaming method as defined in  claim 50 , additionally comprising: 
 causing a first value payout display to be generated on said first display unit if a nonzero value payout is determined,    causing a second value payout display to be generated on said second display unit if a nonzero value payout is determined,    causing said light valve to become substantially transparent if a nonzero value payout is determined so that said first display unit is visible through said opening of said second display unit.