Patent ID: 8137182

Claim:
A gaming machine, comprising: a plurality of mechanical reels displayed in a display area, each of the mechanical reels having symbols provided on an outer surface of each of the reel, wherein the display area includes at least top, middle, and bottom display positions for each mechanical reel, a lighting system having at least one light source, the lighting system configured to illuminate at least two selected symbols on at least one spinning mechanical reel, wherein the at least two selected symbols are different but graphically related; a game controller for generating a game outcome and determining a spin duration for each of the plurality of reels; one or more stepper motors operatively coupled to the mechanical reels, wherein the stepper motors independently spin each reel; and a reel control unit in communication with the one or more stepper motors and the game controller, wherein the reel control unit determines the timing of illuminating of the at least two selected symbols while the at least two selected symbols are in motion, wherein a combined effect of illuminating the at least two selected symbols while in motion produces an appearance of animation because the at least two selected symbols are different but graphically related.