US6517433B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reel spinning slot machine with superimposed video image
Assignee: LNW Gaming Inc
•
Filing: 2001-05-22
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Granted: 2003-02-11
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Expires: 2021-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy C. Loose
- 👤 Wayne H. Rothschild
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:17
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3202; G07F17/3204; G07F17/3211; G07F17/3213; G07F17/34; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/131
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A spinning reel slot machine, comprising: a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels that, in response to a wager, are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area; and a video display providing a video image overlaying the reels, the video image interacting with the symbols on the reels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A spinning reel slot machine, comprising: a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels that, in response to a wager, are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area; and a video display providing a video image overlaying the reels, the video image interacting with the symbols on the reels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The slot machine of claim 1 , wherein the video display is a flat panel transmissive display positioned in front of the reels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The slot machine of claim 2 , wherein the transmissive display is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The slot machine of claim 2 , further including a touch screen mounted to the transmissive display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The slot machine of claim 1 , wherein the video image is a virtual image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The slot machine of claim 5 , further including a partially reflective mirror overlaying one or more of the reels, the video display and the partially reflective mirror being relatively positioned to project the virtual image in front of the reels between the reels and a player.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The slot machine of claim 5 , wherein the virtual image is a three-dimensional image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The slot machine of claim 5 , wherein the virtual image is generally parallel to the display area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The slot machine of claim 6 , wherein the virtual image appears to be suspended in front of the reels and is generally perpendicular to a front surface of the video display, and wherein the partially reflective mirror is generally angled relative to both the virtual image and the front surface of the video display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The slot machine of claim 1 , wherein the video image is interactive with the reels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The slot machine of claim 1 , wherein the video image includes graphics selected from a group consisting of payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The slot machine of claim 1 , wherein the video image includes a bonus game feature triggered by a start-bonus outcome of one or more of the symbols on the stopped reels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The slot machine of claim 1 , wherein the video image is adjustable in terms of opacity, translucency, and transparency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A spinning reel slot machine, comprising: a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels that, in response to a wager, are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area; and a transmissive video display positioned in front of the reels and displaying a video image overlaying the reels, the video image interacting with the symbols on the reels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
A spinning reel slot machine, comprising: a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels that, in response to a wager, are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area; and a transmissive video display positioned in front of the reels and displaying a video image overlaying the reels, the video image interacting with the symbols on the reels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The slot machine of claim 14 , wherein the transmissive video display is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The slot machine of claim 14 , further including a touch screen mounted to the transmissive video display.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The slot machine of claim 14 , wherein the video image is interactive with the reels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The slot machine of claim 14 , wherein the video image includes graphics selected from a group consisting of payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The slot machine of claim 14 , wherein the video image includes a bonus game feature triggered by a start-bonus outcome of one or more of the symbols on the stopped reels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The slot machine of claim 14 , wherein the video image is adjustable in terms of opacity, translucency, and transparency.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of operating a spinning reel slot machine, comprising: receiving a wager; rotating and stopping a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area; and overlaying the reels with a video image provided by a video display, the video image interacting with the symbols on the reels.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of operating a spinning reel slot machine, comprising: receiving a wager; rotating and stopping a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area; and overlaying the reels with a video image provided by a video display, the video image interacting with the symbols on the reels.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the video image is a virtual image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the virtual image is a three-dimensional image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the virtual image is generally parallel to the display area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the video image is interactive with the reels.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the video image includes graphics selected from a group consisting of payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the video image includes a bonus game feature triggered by a start-bonus outcome of one or more of the symbols on the stopped reels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the video image is adjustable in terms of opacity, translucency, and transparency.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-10 | 2006-08-12 | 2007-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | 2011-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-10 | 2014-08-12 | 2015-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |