(19)
(11) EP 1 498 857 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
11.05.2005 Bulletin 2005/19

(43) Date of publication A2:
19.01.2005 Bulletin 2005/03

(21) Application number: 04016592.0

(22) Date of filing: 14.07.2004
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G07F 17/32
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL HR LT LV MK

(30) Priority: 15.07.2003 US 621152

(71) Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc
Waukegan, IL 60085 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Thomas, Alfred
    Las Vegas Nevada 89123 (US)

(74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät 
Maximilianstrasse 58
80538 München
80538 München (DE)

   


(54) Gaming machine


(57) A method and apparatus for changing an appearance of a displayed mechanical device on a gaming machine is disclosed. The displayed mechanical device may be a plurality of mechanical spinning reels, a mechanical wheel, or mechanical dice. The method includes receiving a wager to play a wagering base game, detecting a first indication to play a special feature game and, in response to detecting the first indication, changing an appearance of the displayed mechanical device. The special feature game may be a bonus game or any other secondary game offered by the gaming machine. The appearance change preferably includes changing a color of the displayed mechanical device using an illumination source. The method further includes detecting a second indication to terminate play of the special feature game, and in response to detecting the second indication, restoring the appearance of the displayed mechanical device.






Search report