Gaming machine with action unit display

Abstract

A gaming device including a game apparatus enabling a player to play the game, the gaming device having: one or more movable display objects located within a housing; a game surface configured to allow interaction of the display objects with one or more receptacle elements capable of receiving the display objects, where the game surface further includes openings capable of receiving each of the receptacle elements; and a receptacle actuator for controlling the position of the receptacle element relative to the game surface, is disclosed. Typically, the receptacle element or the movable display object may be associated with at least one game-related symbol or image corresponding to the prize to be awarded. In addition, a method of playing a game involving placing a wager using the aforementioned gaming device is disclosed.

1 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) at least one game apparatus configured to allow a player to play a game;    (B) at least one movable display object;    (C) at least one receptacle element configured to receive the movable display object;    (D) a game symbol associated with at least one of the movable display object or the receptacle element, wherein the game symbol communicates game-related information;    (E) a game surface comprising al opening configured to slideably receive the receptacle element; and    (F) an actuator coupled to the receptacle element, the actuator configured to slide the receptacle element within the opening, wherein the receptacle element may be made to: 
 (i) catch and hold the movable display object when the actuator extends the receptacle element to a first position in front of the game surface, and  
 (ii) be unable to hold the movable display object when the actuator retracts the receptacle element to a second position in back of the game surface or at least partially retracted relative to the first position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle element comprises a substantially U-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming device of  claim 2  wherein the opening is substantially U-shaped.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of amotor and a drive mechanism, a motor and a cam, a motor and lever, a motor and a worm gear, and a solenoid and a spring.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the game surface comprises a bottom portion and a top portion, further comprising a display object conveyor configured to transport the movable display object from the bottom portion to the top portion of the game surface.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the game surface is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the game apparatus, the controller being configured to determine a random game outcome and to activate the actuator to cause change in position of the receptacle element in accordance with the random game outcome, thereby displaying the random game outcome to the player by associating the random game outcome with the receptacle element having the movable object constrained therein.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising a housing configured to enclose the at least one movable display object, the at least one receptacle element, and the game surface.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the game-related information comprises a game outcome.  
   
   
       10 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) game apparatus means for allowing a player to play a game;    (B) display object means for communicating a game outcome;    (C) receptacle means for holding the display object means;    (D) symbol means for communicating the game outcome;    (E) surface means for providing interaction of the display object means with the receptacle means; and    (F) actuator means for controlling position of the receptacle means relative to the surface means.    
   
   
       11 . The gaming device of  claim 10  further comprising display object conveyor means for transporting the display object means from a bottom portion to a top portion of the surface means.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming device of  claim 10  wherein the actuator means is selected from one or more of the group consisting of motor means, cam means, lever means, gear means, solenoid means and spring means.  
   
   
       13 . A method of playing a game comprising, but not all necessarily in order shown: 
 (A) releasing at least one movable display object from a top portion of a game surface;    (B) selectively positioning at least one receptacle element to constrain the movable display object within the receptacle element; and    (C) displaying a game outcome to a player by associating the game outcome with the at least one receptacle element or the movable display object constrained therein.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising associating game-related indicia with the at least one receptacle element or the movable display object, wherein the indicia communicate the game outcome.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising transporting the movable display object from a bottom portion to the top portion of the game surface.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising allowing the player to pre-select at least one receptacle element displayed on the game surface via a player input device.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising allowing the player to pre-select at least one movable display object via a player input device.