Mechanical wheels for game machines

摘要

Electronic gaming machines having mechanical or electro-mechanical wheel devices are described herein. The gaming machines include a cabinet, a display coupled to the cabinet, and a wheel coupled to the cabinet. The wheel includes a plurality of wheel segments positioned axially about a center point of the wheel. The plurality of wheel segments may be configured to rotate about the center point and to transform an appearance of the wheel. The wheel further includes an indicator configured to indicate an indicated wheel segment. The indicator may be configured to rotate about the center point.

主权项

1. An electronic gaming machine comprising:
a cabinet; a display coupled to the cabinet; a wheel coupled to the cabinet, the wheel comprising:
a hub centered on a central axis,a lift track rotatably coupled to the hub, the lift track centered on and orientated around the central axis, the lift track defining a contour,a plurality of wheel segments positioned axially about the hub, each wheel segment having an inner end hingeably connected to the hub, each wheel segment including a follower operatively coupled to the lift track such that relative rotation of the lift track with respect to the followers imparts distal or proximal movement to an outer end of each wheel segment of the plurality of wheel segments in succession in accordance with the contour of the lift track,an indicator coupled to the lift track and configured to rotate relative to the plurality of wheel segments in unison with the lift track, the indicator configured to indicate an indicated wheel segment, wherein the indicated wheel segment is one of the plurality of wheel segments, wherein the indicated wheel segment changes as the indicator rotates about the central axis; a wheel controller configured to control the relative rotation of the lift track and the indicator with respect to the plurality of wheel segments; a processor communicatively coupled to the display and the wheel controller, wherein the processor is configured to provide game play of a wager-based game to a player, display gaming information to the player through the display, detect a trigger event during game play of the wager-based game, and initiate a play of a bonus game by instructing the wheel controller to cause the relative rotation of the indicator and the lift track with respect to the plurality of segments; wherein the outer portion of the indicated wheel segment is moved distally or proximally with respect to the other wheel segments of the plurality of wheel segments; and wherein the presentation of the bonus game includes the indicator rotating relative to the plurality of wheel segments followed by a cessation of the rotation to indicate a winning one of the wheel segments.