Method for providing gaming and a gaming device with electronically modifiable electro-mechanical reel displays

Abstract

A gaming device, such as a slot machine, with electronically modifiable display capabilities, such as electronic paper, on electro-mechanical reels, provides the ability to rapidly, dynamically, and easily change the symbols on the electro-mechanical reels. This in turn provides the ability to easily change the games played on the gaming device, to create more interesting and exciting games, and to be able to change the current odds for that machine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to gaming devices and, more specifically, to electronically modifiable electro-mechanical reel displays oil gaming devices, such as slot machines. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Gaming (or Gambling) has become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States and around the world. In many casinos, the most lucrative gaming for those casinos is the play on gaming devices such as slot machines. [0003] Traditionally, slot machines comprise a handle and multiple, typically three, wheels or “reels”. The reels typically would each have a plurality (typically 25) of different symbols displayed around their circumference. A game player would start play by inserting money, pulling the handle, and the reels would begin spinning. As the reels spin, the different symbols appear and disappear. Then, the reels will eventually slow down and stop, each displaying, in the center of a display, one of the symbols. The combina...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] A gaming device, such as a slot machine, with electronically modifiable display capabilities, such as electronic paper, on electro-mechanical reels, provides the ability to rapidly, dynamically, and easily change the symbols on the electro-mechanical reels. This in turn provides the ability to easily change the games played on the gaming device, to create more interesting and exciting games, and to be able to change the current odds for that machine.

Problems solved by technology

There are a number of problems with the traditional, electro-mechanical, slot machines described above, in particular, from the view of casinos.

First, typically the only way to change a game is to change the reels.

Secondly, it is difficult to change the odds in any given game, and the odds are where casinos make their money.

In the case of slot machines, this often results in simulating the spin of reels on a computer type screen.

Unfortunately, this trend towards totally electronic games (excluding the activation, payin, and payout mechanisms) loses the look and feel of the traditional gaming devices with their electro-mechanical reels.

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