Gaming machines with directed sound

A gaming apparatus, comprising:

• a display unit that is capable of generating video images;
• a value input device;
• an ultrasonic audio processor programmed to convert audio signals into ultrasonic signals,
• said ultrasonic audio processor being operatively linked to an ultrasonic emitter,
• said ultrasonic emitter capable of emitting ultrasonic signals along a predetermined column of air,
• said ultrasonic signals being demodulated into audible sounds along the column by interaction of said ultrasonic signals with air,
• a controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said value input device and said ultrasonic audio processor,
• said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,
• said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a payline selection,
• said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit and to send an audio signal to the ultrasonic audio processor, said video image comprising a plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols, said audio signal simulating rotating slot machine reels and further comprising instructions and a declaration of the outcome of said slots game,
• said controller being programmed to determine an outcome of said slots game represented by said video image, audio signal and a value payout associated with said outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a configuration of said slot machine symbols.

A gaming method comprising:

• causing a video game image and an audio signal to be generated, said video game image and said audio signal representing a game selected from the group of games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,
• said audio signal comprising game instructions and an indication of an outcome of said game,
• said video game image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,
• said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,
• said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,
• said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and
• said video game image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo;
• determining an outcome of said game represented by said video game images;
• determining a value payout associated with said outcome of said game;
• converting said audio signal to an ultrasonic signal;
• emitting said ultrasonic signal along a predetermined column of air adjacent said video image;
• and
• demodulating said ultrasonic signal in said column with said air to produce audible sounds within said column.