Gaming machine using holographic imaging

Abstract

A gaming machine having a main game and a bonus game playable by a player. The bonus game includes an interactive holographic image with different areas on it. The holographic image, for example, can be that of a video screen and the areas can be different symbols on the screen. To play the bonus game the player selects the desired area or symbol and sticks his/her finger in it.

1 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 a main game playable by a player of the gaming machine; and    generating means for generating an interactive holographic image actuable by the player as part of a bonus game following a successful result or outcome in the play of the main game.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the holographic image includes different holographic symbols selectively actuable by the player by physically interacting with same.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the main game is a video style slot machine.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the main game includes a touch screen monitor.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the main game is selectable by the player on a touch video display screen from a plurality of different games.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising processor means for controlling the main game and the generating means.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the generating means generates an attract-mode holographic image before the player starts playing the main game.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the interactive holographic image includes a display screen with symbols therein.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the generating means includes a holographic unit in a top box of the machine.  
   
   
       10 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 a processor;    a main game controlled by the processor and playable by a player at the gaming machine;    an interactive holographic image projector system controlled by the processor; and    the projector system being adapted to project a holographic image including a plurality of image areas, at least one of the areas being selectable and actuable by the player by physically interacting with same as part of a bonus game after the player has achieved a successful result or outcome in the play of the main game.    
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine of  claim 10  wherein the holographic image includes a video screen, the image areas are symbols on the video screen, and the symbols are actuable by the player putting the player's finger in at least one of them, as desired.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 a main game having a first chance outcome and a second chance outcome when played by a player; and    a holographic image which is interactive with the player of the main game after the first chance outcome, but not after the second chance outcome, as part of a bonus game of the gaming machine.    
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine of  claim 12  wherein the holographic image is projected and visible to the player after the first chance outcome but not after the second chance outcome.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine of  claim 12  wherein the holographic image includes first and second holographic symbols between which the player can select and in which the player can insert the player's finger as part of the play of the bonus game.  
   
   
       15 . A method of playing a gaming machine, comprising: 
 playing a main game of the gaming machine; and    when a winning outcome of the main game is achieved, playing a bonus game associated with the main game by interacting with an interactive holographic image from the gaming machine.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the interactive holographic image includes a plurality of holographic interactive symbols.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the playing the bonus game includes selecting at least one of the symbols and the interacting includes inserting one or more fingers into the at least one selected symbol.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the main game is video poker.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the main game is a video slot machine game.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the playing the main game includes interacting with a video screen of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the playing the main game includes pressing at least one button of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the playing the main game includes pulling a handle of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising before the playing the main game, inserting money or money equivalent into the gaming machine.  
   
   
       24 . A method of conducting a game of chance on a gaming machine, comprising: 
 executing a main game for play by a player on the gaming machine;    executing a bonus game for play by the player in the event a winning outcome results when the player is playing the main game;    the executing the bonus game includes projecting an interactive holographic image; and    determining the gaming outcome of the bonus game after the player interacts with the interactive holographic image.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising before the executing the main game, receiving payment from the player.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising after the determining the outcome, executing the main game for another play thereof by the player.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the interactive holographic image includes an interactive holographic bonus screen.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the interactive holographic bonus screen includes a plurality of symbols, at least one of which the player can interact with the player's hand.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising at least some of the time when the interactive holographic image is not being projected, projecting an attract-mode holographic image associated with the gaming machine.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the projecting the interactive holographic image and the projecting the attract-mode holographic image use the same hologram projector device of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the main game includes a touch screen monitor of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the main game includes user push buttons.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the executing the main and bonus games are via a microprocessor.