Abstract:
A slot machine and method of conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The slot machine incorporates a topper having a display unit corresponding to each primary game reel. Depending on its current state, the display units turn on and turn off in response to pre-established game indicia aligning along a payline. A payout is awarded when all the display units are turned on simultaneously after a game play.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic gaming device in the form of a slot machine. More particularly, the embodiments include a slot machine incorporating a topper comprising a display unit corresponding to each reel of the slot machine wherein the display units are activated in response to primary game reel outcomes to determine a bonus award. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic gaming devices, like slot machines, now account for over 60% of gaming revenue in casinos. Accordingly, new slot machine concepts are in increasing demand to satisfy the gaming public. Recent slot machine advances include large progressive jackpots, video graphics and bonus games and all have been successful. 
     In particular, bonus games are now associated with a majority of the slot machines in the marketplace. For example, the Wheel of Fortune slot machine includes a bonus game in the form of a numbered mechanical wheel. The bonus game, namely the wheel, is activated in response to pre-established primary game outcomes. Other bonus games comprise video-implemented games, ball-hoppers and player-selected outcomes. 
     Even though there has been an influx of new slot machines and bonus games, the new concepts and features are of a common theme and do not add to the overall excitement level of play of slot machines. 
     Thus, there is a need for new and exciting slot machine concepts. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of conducting a wagering game comprising accepting a player wager; providing means for a player to activate a series of game reels, said game reels depicting game indicia; providing a display unit corresponding to each game reel; depending on its current state causing said display units to turn on or turn off in response to pre-established game indicia aligning along a payline; and in response to all display units being turned on simultaneously at the conclusion of a game play, paying a player a corresponding award. 
     In one embodiment, each game reel has at least one 7 symbol thereon and the display units each depict a 7 symbol when on and a blank when off. When a 7 symbol aligns along the payline, if it was off, the corresponding display turns on, and if it was on, it turns off. If all display units are on simultaneously at the conclusion of a game play such that all display units show a 7 symbol, the player wins a bonus. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a slot machine of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a slot machine of a first embodiment with bonus display units facilitated by a single elongated piece of topper glass or single video display; 
         FIG. 3  shows a slot machine of a first embodiment with bonus display units facilitated by a series of topper glass members or individual video displays; 
         FIGS. 4   a - c  show the slot machine of  FIG. 1  with primary game outcomes causing the display units of the topper to activate; and 
         FIGS. 5   a - d  show the slot machine of  FIG. 1  with alternative primary game outcomes causing the display units of the topper to activate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The operation of slot machines is controlled by microprocessors which communicate with internal memory devices and the external features of the machines. The microprocessors also incorporate, or communicate with, a random number generator which ensures the randomness of the machines&#39; outcomes. In the embodiments of the present invention, one or more processors, along with memory and related devices, control the new applications disclosed herein. Therefore, the embodiments, along with the corresponding odds, of the present invention may be programmed into the processor or associated software. Since the technology for operating and controlling slot machines is well known to those skilled in the art, the subtle details are not described herein. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.  FIG. 1  illustrates a slot machine for facilitating a first game embodiment of the present invention generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . The slot machine  100  includes three game reels  105 - 1  through  105 - 3 , depicting game indicia  125  and which may be mechanical or video, and a payline  110 . While three game reels  105 - 1  through  105 - 3  are shown, the number may be more or less. The slot machine  100  further includes interface buttons, including a one coin/unit wager button  115 , maximum coins/units button  120 , spin button  130  and cash out button  140 . The machine  100  also includes a coin input  150 , card reader  160 , credit display  170  and a slot arm  180 . Optionally, the machine  100  may incorporate a currency and coupon reader. 
     The slot machine  100  includes a topper  200  with three display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  corresponding to each game reel  105 - 1  through  105 - 3 . The three display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  may either be facilitated by backlit graphics or video means. With backlit graphics, the display units may comprise three symbols (e.g., 7 symbols) depicted on a single elongated piece of topper glass with illumination sources positioned behind the topper glass. With video means, a single video display is sectioned into three areas corresponding to each display unit.  FIG. 2  shows a slot machine  100 ′ including a single topper glass or video display  220 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  may also be facilitated by individual topper glass members or video display units  230 - 1  through  230 - 3 . 
     The display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  are activated in response to pre-determined gaming indicia aligning along the payline  110 . Accordingly, in one embodiment game reels  105 - 1 ,  105 - 2  and  105 - 3  correspond to display units  210 - 1 ,  210 - 2  and  210 - 3 , respectively. Thus, display unit  210 - 1  is controlled by the outcome of game reel  105 - 1 , display unit  210 - 2  is controlled by game reel  105 - 2  and display unit  210 - 3  is controlled by game reel  105 - 3 .  FIGS. 4   a - c  illustrate the operation of the display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3 . In response to a 7 symbol aligning along reel  105 - 1 , the corresponding display unit  210 - 1  turns on or turns off depending on its current state. That is, if the display unit is off, it turns on to show a 7 symbol, if it is on, it turns off such that the 7 symbol is no longer highlighted or visible. In  FIG. 4   a , in response to the 7 symbol  125 - 1  of game reel  105 - 1  aligning along payline  110 , the display unit  210 - 1  turns on (shown in black) since it was previously off. Display units  210 - 2  and  210 - 3  are off (shown in white). In  FIG. 4   b , the primary game outcome shows three 7 symbols  125 - 1  through  125 - 3  depicted on game reels  105 - 1  through  105 - 3  aligned along payline  110 . Accordingly, corresponding display unit  210 - 1  turns off and display units  210 - 2  and  210 - 3  turn on. In  FIG. 4   c , game reel  105 - 1  depicts a 7 symbol  125 - 1  aligned along payline  110  causing corresponding display unit  210 - 1  to turn on. Consequently, all three display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  are turned on resulting in a bonus award. That is, in response to all display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  being on (e.g., illuminated), the player wins a corresponding bonus award. With backlit graphics, the display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  are turned on by being illuminated by a light source behind the single topper glass member or the individual topper glass members. With video displays, the displays may display a 7 symbol when they are on and nothing when they are off. 
     The frequency, timing and order of the 7 symbols aligning along the payline  110  are controlled by the processor of the slot machine  100 . The amount of the bonus award may be fixed (e.g., 10,000 credits) or may be a progressive award that increases until it is won. The progressive award may be based on the single machine, a bank of machines or a network of linked machines from multiple casino properties. To be eligible for the bonus award, the player may be requited to play max coins or units. The embodiments of the present invention may also be facilitated over a computer network, like the Internet. 
     As shown above, game reel  105 - 1 ,  105 - 2  and  105 - 3  corresponds to display units  210 - 1 ,  210 - 2  and  210 - 3 , respectively, such that, display unit  210 - 1  is controlled by the outcome of game reel  105 - 1  and so on. However, it is also conceivable that the different game reels may control different display units. For example, game reel  105 - 3  may control display unit  210 - 1  or the arrangement may be random in nature. 
       FIGS. 5   a - d  illustrate a random embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a wild symbol  250 - 1  depicted on game reel  105 - 1  and aligned along payline  110  causes a randomly selected display unit to turn on or off. In  FIG. 5   a , randomly selected display unit  210 - 2  is shown illuminated in response to wild symbol  250 - 1  aligning along payline  110 . In  FIG. 5   b , randomly selected display unit  210 - 1  is shown illuminated in response to wild symbol  250 - 2  aligning along payline  110 . In  FIG. 5   c , randomly selected display unit  210 - 2  is shown in a turned off position in response to random symbol  250 - 1  aligning along payline  110 . In  FIG. 5   d , randomly selected display units  210 - 2  and  210 - 3  are shown illuminated in response to random symbols  250 - 1  and  250 - 2  aligning along payline  110 . Consequently, all three display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  are turned on resulting in a bonus award. While the display nits  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  appear to be randomly selected, the processor continues to control the frequency and timing with which bonus awards are won. That is, the randomness is for the benefit of the players while the game is specifically programmed to theoretically award bonus awards only so often. 
     The wild symbol may also cause the display units  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  to illuminate in a random, frenzied manner until one display unit  210 - 1  through  210 - 3  illuminates or turns off. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.