Display and control system for gaming

Abstract

A display device, for use with a gaming apparatus, having a display face, a movable indicator located on the display face and a movement apparatus including an actuator system for providing multi-dimensional movement to the movable indicator via a slidable bracket, is disclosed. Typically, the actuator system generates movement of the movable indicator (ultimately associated with game play outcomes) along a pathway on the display face via a motor coupled to a spring-loaded tube sleeve connected to the slidable bracket. The display device is capable of providing movement of the movable indicator on the display face in a variety of arrangements, for example, in the form of zigzag, curve, spiral, or loop courses as well as tracking over a non-planar surface, such as hilly terrain.

1 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (a) at least one gaming apparatus configured to allow at least one player to place a wager and play at least one game; and    (b) and at least one display device in communication with the gaming apparatus, wherein the display device comprises: 
 (i) at least one display face;  
 (ii) at least one movable indicator; and  
 (iii) at least one movement apparatus comprising at least one actuator system comprising a slidable bracket assembly, wherein the movement apparatus is configured to provide the movable indicator with multi-dimensional movement in relation to the display face.  
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the actuator system further comprises: 
 (a) the slidable bracket assembly comprising: 
 (i) a tube sleeve;  
 (ii) a bracket slidably coupled at a first end to the tube sleeve and further coupled at a second end to the movable indicator; and  
 (iii) a spring mechanism mounted within the tube sleeve and configured to provide slidable movement to the bracket; and  
   (b) at least one propulsion device coupled to the slidable bracket assembly.    
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 2  wherein the propulsion device is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a pulley, a rack and pinion and a moving belt.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one control system which governs at least part of operation of the movement apparatus.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display device further comprises a pathway along which the movable indicator is propelled, the pathway being located proximate to the display face and comprising a slot opening in the display face.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming device of  claim 5  wherein the pathway comprises a shape selected from one or more of the group consisting of a zigzag, a curve, a spiral, a loop and a non-planar surface.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the movement apparatus comprises a plurality of actuator systems acting in concert and configured to provide movement to at least one movable indicator.  
     
     
         8 . A display device in communication with a gaming apparatus, wherein the display device comprises: 
 (a) at least one display face;    (b) at least one movable indicator positioned proximate to the display face;    (c) a display associated with the display face; and    (d) at least one movement apparatus comprising at least one actuator system, wherein: 
 (i) the movement apparatus is configured to provide the movable indicator with multi-dimensional movement in relation to the display face;  
 (ii) the actuator system comprises a slidable bracket assembly coupled to a propulsion device; and  
 (iii) the slidable bracket assembly is further coupled to the movable indicator.  
   
     
     
         9 . The display device of  claim 8  wherein (a) the slidable bracket assembly comprises a tube sleeve with a spring mechanism mounted therein, and a bracket slidably coupled to the tube sleeve, the bracket further coupled to the movable indicator, and (b) the slidable bracket assembly is coupled to the propulsion device via a threaded shaft.  
     
     
         10 . The display device of  claim 8  wherein the propulsion device is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a pulley, a rack and pinion and a moving belt.  
     
     
         11 . The display device of  claim 8  further comprising at least one control system which governs at least part of operation of the movement apparatus.  
     
     
         12 . The display device of  claim 8  further comprising a pathway along which the movable indicator is propelled, the pathway being located proximate to the display face and comprising a slot opening in the display face.  
     
     
         13 . The display device of  claim 12  wherein the pathway comprises a shape selected from one or more of the group consisting of a zigzag, a curve, a spiral, a loop and a non-planar surface.  
     
     
         14 . The display device of  claim 8  wherein the display associated with the display face comprises indicia to communicate a winning outcome as a result of a player playing a game on the gaming apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The display device of  claim 8  wherein the movable indicator comprises a variable display design further comprising a light-emitting-diode meter.  
     
     
         16 . A gaming device actuator system comprising: 
 (a) a bracket slidably coupled at a first end to a tube sleeve, the bracket further coupled at a second end to a movable indicator, and the tube sleeve further coupled to a shaft;    (b) a spring mechanism mounted within the tube sleeve, the spring mechanism configured to provide slidable movement to the bracket; and    (c) at least one propulsion device configured to provide rotational motion, the propulsion device coupled to the shaft, the shaft being configured to transfer rotational motion.    
     
     
         17 . The actuator system of  claim 16  further comprising a controller configured to detect a position of the movable indicator and to control at least a portion of operation of the propulsion device.  
     
     
         18 . The actuator system of  claim 16  wherein the propulsion device is selected from the group consisting of a motor, a pulley, a rack and pinion and a moving belt.