Spin mechanisms game

Abstract

An exemplary game apparatus includes a plurality of spin mechanisms including at least a first spin mechanism and a second spin mechanism, and a control unit communicatively connected to the spin mechanisms. The control unit is configured to provide a virtual passageway enabling game play to move between the first spin mechanism and the second spin mechanism. In certain implementations, the first spin mechanism includes a plurality of landing zones, one of the landing zones being associated with the virtual passageway. In certain implementations, the control unit is configured to move game play from the first spin mechanism to the second spin mechanism in response to a spin action of the first spin mechanism stopping at the landing zone associated with the virtual passageway.

1 . A game apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of spin mechanisms including at least a first spin mechanism and a second spin mechanism; and   a control unit communicatively connected to said plurality of spin mechanisms, said control unit being configured to provide a virtual passageway enabling game play to move between said first spin mechanism and said second spin mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first spin mechanism includes a plurality of landing zones, one of said landing zones being associated with said virtual passageway. 
   
   
       3 . The game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first spin mechanism is configured to perform a spin action and to stop the spin action at any one of said landing zones. 
   
   
       4 . The game apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said control unit is configured to
 determine when the spin action has stopped on said one of said landing zones associated with said virtual passageway, and   move game play from said first spin mechanism to said second mechanism in response to the determination.   
   
   
       5 . The game apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said second spin mechanism includes a plurality of other landing zones, one of said other landing zones being associated with another virtual passageway. 
   
   
       6 . The game apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said second spin mechanism is configured to perform a spin action and to stop the spin action at any one of said other landing zones. 
   
   
       7 . The game apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said control unit is configured to
 determine when the spin action of said second spin mechanism has stopped on said one of said other landing zones associated with said another virtual passageway, and   move game play from said second spin mechanism to said first mechanism in response to the determination.   
   
   
       8 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one control communicatively connected to said control unit, said at least one control enabling a user of said game apparatus to initiate and stop a spin action of an active one of said spin mechanisms. 
   
   
       9 . The game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one control includes a slow stop spin control and a quick stop spin control. 
   
   
       10 . The game apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said control unit is configured to activate said quick stop spin control when the spin action of said active spin mechanism reaches a predetermined speed. 
   
   
       11 . The game apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said control unit is configured to terminate power to said active spin mechanism in response to the user actuating the slow stop spin control. 
   
   
       12 . The game apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said control unit is configured to terminate power and apply a brake to said active spin mechanism in response to the user actuating the quick stop spin control. 
   
   
       13 . The game apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a cabinet housing said plurality of spin mechanisms, said control unit, and said at least one control. 
   
   
       14 . The game apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said cabinet includes a base unit and an expansion unit removably attached to said base unit, said expansion unit housing one of said spin mechanisms and said base unit housing the remaining said spin mechanisms. 
   
   
       15 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said spin mechanisms includes a plurality of landing zones associated with a set of rewards. 
   
   
       16 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said spin mechanisms is associated with a level of a hierarchy, each said level being associated with a different set of available rewards. 
   
   
       17 . A game apparatus, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a plurality of spin mechanisms housed in said cabinet, each of said spin mechanisms including a plurality of landing zones associated with a set of rewards, each of said spin mechanisms being configured to perform a spin action and to stop the spin action at any one of said landing zones; and   a control unit housed in said cabinet and communicatively connected to said plurality of spin mechanisms, said control unit being configured to communicate with and control each of said spin mechanisms, including   activating game play at one of said spin mechanisms,   initiating the spin action of said spin mechanism,   initiating the stop of the spin action of said spin mechanism,   identifying one of said landing zones of said spin mechanism at which the spin action stopped, and   initiating at least one action associated with said landing zone.   
   
   
       18 . The game apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one action includes moving game play from said spin mechanism to another of said spin mechanisms when said landing zone is associated with a virtual passageway between said spin mechanism and said another spin mechanism. 
   
   
       19 . A method, comprising:
 activating game play at a spin mechanism included in a plurality of spin mechanisms;   initiating a spin action of the spin mechanism;   stopping the spin action;   determining a stop position of the spin action; and   moving game play to another spin mechanism included in said plurality of spin mechanisms when the stop position of the spin action is associated with a virtual passageway between the spin mechanism and the other spin mechanism.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing a reward when the stop position of the spin action is associated with the reward.