Gaming device

Abstract

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a gaming device including a game apparatus that is adapted to allow a player to play a game. The game apparatus includes a display object, a prize object and a positioning mechanism. A controller is in communication with the positioning mechanism. The controller is adapted to show the display object to the player and to hide the display object from the player. The controller is further adapted to show the prize object to the player and award a prize. The objects provide an illusion that they disappear and then reappear into view of the player.

1 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game;    (B) at least one display object;    (C) a positioning mechanism connected to the display object;    (D) a plurality of prize objects, the prize objects being adapted to convey a game outcome;    (E) at least one prize object holder, the prize object holder being adapted to hold the prize object in an individually controllable manner, wherein prize objects in the prize object holder are hidden from the player;    (F) a controller in communication with the game apparatus and the positioning mechanism, the controller being adapted to control the positioning mechanism in order to show the display object to the player and to hide the display object from the player, the controller further being adapted to select at least one prize object from the prize object holder; and    (G) a display holder connected to the display object and communicated with the prize object holder, the display holder being adapted to display the selected prize object to the player, the controller further being adapted to move the prize object from the prize object holder to the display holder.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the prize object holder is a carousel adapted to hold the prize objects.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the positioning mechanism is a turntable.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the positioning mechanism is a trap door.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of non-prize objects, the non-prize objects providing an illusion to the player that the prize objects are one of the non-prize objects.  
     
     
         6 . A gaming method comprising, but not necessarily in the order shown: 
 (A) allowing a player to place a wager and play a game of chance;    (B) determining a game outcome, the game outcome comprising a prize qualifying event;    (C) if the game outcome comprises the prize qualifying event: 
 (a) displaying at least one display object to the player;  
 (b) hiding the display object from the player;  
 (c) selecting a prize object from a plurality of prize objects in a prize object holder;  
 (d) displaying the prize object to the player; and  
 (e) awarding a prize to the player.  
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the prize objects are rotated on a carousel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the display object and prize objects are rotated on a carousel.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the prize objects are rotated on a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising illuminating a meter associated with the prize object.  
     
     
         11 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) gaming means for allowing a player to play a game;    (B) display object means for displaying a display object to the player;    (C) prize object means for displaying a prize object to the player and conveying a game outcome;    (D) prize object holder means for holding the prize object means; and    (E) controller means for causing the display object means to disappear and to cause the prize object means to appear to the player.    
     
     
         12 . The gaming device of  claim 11  wherein the prize object holder means is a carousel.  
     
     
         13 . The gaming device of  claim 11  wherein the prize object holder means is a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         14 . The gaming device of  claim 11  wherein the prize object holder means is a threaded rod.  
     
     
         15 . The gaming device of  claim 11  further comprising meter means mounted to the prize object means.  
     
     
         16 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) a game apparatus, the game apparatus being adapted to allow a player to play a game;    (B) at least one display object;    (C) a display object positioning mechanism connected to the display object;    (D) at least one prize object, the prize object being adapted to convey a game outcome;    (E) a prize object positioning mechanism connected to the prize object;    (F) a controller in communication with the game apparatus, the display object positioning mechanism and the prize object positioning mechanism, the controller being adapted to show the display object to the player and to hide the display object from the player, the controller further being adapted to show the prize object to the player.    
     
     
         17 . The gaming device of  claim 16  further comprising a display holder connected to the display object for displaying the prize object.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming device of  claim 16  further comprising a meter mounted to the prize object.  
     
     
         19 . A gaming method comprising, but not necessarily in the order shown: 
 (A) allowing a player to place a wager and play a game of chance;    (B) determining a game outcome, the game outcome comprising a prize qualifying event, if the game outcome comprises the prize qualifying event then;    (C) displaying at least one display object to the player;    (D) moving the display object such that the display object disappears from view of the player;    (E) selecting a prize object;    (F) moving the prize object such that the prize object reappears into view of the player; and    (G) awarding a prize to the player.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising opening a door on the prize object to reveal a game outcome.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising illuminating a meter on the prize object to reveal a game outcome.