Slot machine reels having luminescent display elements

A method of performing a game play on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• determining that a user has initiated said game play;
• spinning a plurality of reels on said gaming machine;
• illuminating a first light element on at least a portion of a symbol on one of said reels to provide an illumination pattern defining a first symbol item;
• illuminating a second light element on at least another portion of said symbol to provide an illumination pattern defining a second symbol item, said first symbol item and said second symbol item being viewable from substantially the same viewing angle relative the respective symbol;
• and
• stopping the reels from spinning such that a combination of symbols is displayed through a display window of said gaming machine, wherein the illuminated light elements are activated on said reel.

A reel strip for use as a display portion of a slot machine reel, said reel strip comprising:

• a flexible substrate;
• a first electrode formed on said substrate;
• one or more electroluminescent elements formed on at least a portion of said first electrode;
• and
• a second electrode formed over at least said electroluminescent elements, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is transparent.

A method of displaying multiple symbols in a single symbol region of a slot machine, the method comprising:

• providing one or more reels, said reel or reels having a plurality of symbol regions thereupon, at least one of said symbol regions being modifiable and having a first countenance and a second countenance, said second countenance being visibly distinct from said first countenance, and said first and second countenances being configured for viewing from substantially the same viewing angle relative the respective symbol region;
• displaying at least one first countenance during a first display period;
• and
• modifying at least one of said modifiable symbol regions into said second countenance during a second display period.

A slot machine comprising:

• an exterior housing, said housing having a viewing region through which one or more internal reels are visible;
• one or more internal reels rotatable about an axis, said reel or reels having a plurality of symbol regions thereupon, at least one of said symbol regions being modifiable and having a first countenance and a second countenance, said second countenance being visibly distinct from said first countenance, and said first and second countenances being configured for viewing from substantially the same viewing angle relative the respective symbol region;
• and
• one or more illuminating devices, said device or devices selectively illuminating one or more of said symbol regions, whereby controlling the one or more illuminating devices controls display of said first and second countenances.

A reel for a slot machine comprising:

• an internal reel portion rotatable about an axis and having an outer circumferential region;
• a reel strip mounted on said outer circumferential region and including
• (i) a plurality of symbol regions for displaying symbols to a player of said slot machine, and
• (ii) one or more light elements in one or more of said symbol regions, which light elements can be illuminated independently of one another;
• and
• a circuit element provided on said reel strip for independently controlling the one or more light elements.

A method of performing a game play on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• determining that a user has initiated said game play;
• spinning a plurality of reels on said gaming machine;
• illuminating an electroluminescent element provided on at least a portion of a symbol on one of said reels through an AC current having a frequency of between about 600 and 900 Hz.;
• and
• stopping the reels from spinning such that a combination of symbols is displayed through a display window of said gaming machine, wherein said illuminated light element is activated on said reel.

A reel for a slot machine comprising:

• an internal reel portion rotatable about an axis and having an outer circumferential region;
• a reel strip mounted on said outer circumferential region and including
• (i) a plurality of symbol regions for displaying symbols to a player of said slot machine, and
• (ii) one or more light elements in one or more of said symbol regions, which light elements can be illuminated independently of one another;
• and
• a high frequency AC switch for controlling at least one of said light elements, wherein said high frequency switch includes a bridge comprising
• (i) a switching transistor which controls delivery of power to at least one of said light elements, and
• (ii) a plurality of rectifying diodes arranged to force current flowing through said switching transistor to flow in a single direction through said switching transistor regardless of which direction the alternating current flows.

A slot machine comprising:

• an exterior housing, said housing having a viewing region through which one or more internal reels are visible;
• one or more internal reels rotatable about an axis, said reel or reels having a plurality of symbol regions thereupon, at least one of said symbol regions being modifiable and having a first countenance and a second countenance, said second countenance being visibly distinct from said first countenance;
• and
• one or more illuminating devices, said device or devices including a light diffuser assembly comprised of terminations of a multiplicity of fiber optic bundles, said bundles coupling the diffuser to a light source for selectively illuminating one or more of said symbol regions, whereby controlling the one or more illuminating devices controls display of said first and second countenances.

A slot machine comprising:

• an exterior housing having a viewing region;
• a plurality of internal reels rotatable about an axis, each having a plurality of symbol regions thereupon wherein at least one of said symbol regions is modifiable and having a first countenance and a second countenance, said second countenance being visibly distinct from said first countenance;
• and
• at least two backlit illuminating devices configured for selective backlit illumination of the one symbol region, wherein controlling the illuminating devices controls display of the symbol region in a manner visibly distinguishing the first countenance and the second countenance.