This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/756,225, LeMay et al., entitled “VIRTUAL GLASS FOR A GAMING MACHINE” and filed on Jan. 12, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present invention relates to gaming machines, such as slot machines and video poker machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to configuring and updating reel strips for spinning reels of slot machines.
Gaming in the United States is divided into Class I, Class II and Class III games. Class I gaming includes social games played for minimal prizes, or traditional ceremonial games. Class II gaming includes bingo games, pull tab games if played in the same location as bingo games, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, instant bingo, and other games similar to bingo. Class III gaming includes any game that is not a Class I or Class II game, such as a game of chance typically offered in non-Indian, state-regulated casinos. Many games of chance that are played on gaming machines fall into the Class II and Class III categories of games.
As technology in the gaming industry progresses, the traditional mechanically driven reel slot machines are being updated with electronic components. Some modern electronic gaming machines have video displays based on CRT, LCD or the like. Electronic gaming machines, such as video slot machines and video poker machines, are becoming increasingly popular. Part of the reason for their increased popularity is the nearly endless variety of games that can be implemented on a single gaming machine.
Typically, using a master gaming controller, a gaming machine controls various combinations of devices that allow a player to play a game on the gaming machine and also encourage game play on the gaming machine. For example, a game played on a gaming machine usually requires a player to input money or an indicia of credit into the gaming machine, indicate a wager amount, and initiate game play. These steps require the gaming machine to control input devices, such as bill acceptors/validators and coin acceptors, to accept money into the gaming machine and recognize user inputs from devices, including key pads, button pads, card readers, and ticket readers, to determine the wager amount, and initiate game play.
After game play has been initiated, the gaming machine determines a game outcome, presents the game outcome to the player and may dispense an award of some type depending on the outcome of the game. A game outcome presentation may utilize many different visual and audio components such as flashing lights, music, sounds and graphics. The visual and audio components of the game outcome presentation may be used to draw a player's attention to various game features and to heighten the player's interest in additional game play.
Maintaining a game player's interest in game play, such as on a gaming machine or during other gaming activities, is an important consideration for an operator of a gaming establishment. As technology in the gaming industry progresses, more and more electronic components are being incorporated into gaming machines to maintain player interest. For instance, many gaming machines have entirely replaced mechanical slot reels with video displays to simulate the visual effect of the mechanical reels. Video displays facilitate the play of many different slot games on a single machine. Video displays also provide graphics, which can be combined with music and sounds to stimulate the player.
Another method of gaining and maintaining interest in game play is to provide a gaming machine with a plurality of games. Although conventional mechanical gaming machines have provided only a single game per machine, modern video-based machines permit a player to select from a number of different games on the same machine. However, this multi-game capability has not been implemented on mechanical slot machines incorporating mechanical reels.
As mechanical components of gaming machines are replaced with electronics, many players feel the machines are too controlled. Thus, some players feel their chances of winning might be better with traditional mechanical-driven gaming machines. For this reason and others, such as past experience and comfort level, many players are still attracted by the look and feel of mechanical-driven slot machines.
It is often desirable to change a game theme or add new capabilities or features to a particular mechanical-driven slot machine once that machine has been deployed. However, such changes can be expensive and difficult. The creation and installation of a new mechanical slot game involves manufacturing and printing of new reel strips, and physical replacement and installation of the strips on the mechanical reels every time a new game is deployed. Such retrofitting results in materials, time, labor, and other cost demands for the mechanical design, construction, purchase, and installation of new reel strips or reels in the machine, even when new software and/or other electronic components are not needed. Hence, retrofitting a mechanical reel-based machine to generate and maintain interest in game play can represent a significant expense to a casino.
What is needed is an effective scheme for providing different games on mechanical reel slot machines. Updating and replacing the displayed reel strips on the mechanical reels is desired, without requiring a service technician to manually replace the physical reel strips and/or reels to implement the new game. It would also be desirable to have flexibility, so a limitless variety of symbols, numbers, and other outputs could be displayed on the reel strips. Also, it would be desirable to provide improved apparatuses and methods for updating reel strips with minimal power and space requirements.
Disclosed are gaming machines, including related methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a game of chance.
Aspects of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for electronically altering and replacing reel strips on a gaming machine. The provided apparatus and methods involve the use of bi-stable downloadable reel strips, whereby the displayed symbols on a reel strip can be replaced without having to physically remove and replace the reel strip and/or reel. This is accomplished by providing a streamlined, low power, low cost, low space requirement reel strip constructed of a bi-stable material such as electronic paper to display images on the reels.
In one aspect of the present invention, a bi-stable downloadable reel strip system has at least one host adapted to present image content to a bi-stable reel strip, and at least one host storage unit adapted to store image content accessible to the host. A reel strip controller is in communication with the host. The reel strip controller receives image content from the host, and outputs the image content in the form of stop number and symbol information to the bi-stable reel strip for display.
In one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine has a reel with a configurable surface for controlling information shown on the reel. The gaming machine includes a cabinet, a player input device, a master gaming controller, an output device, a plurality of reels, and a controller. The player input device is capable of receiving a wager for play of a game of chance. The master gaming controller is configured to provide one or more outcomes of the game of chance. The output device is configured to provide an award for one or more of the outcomes. The plurality of reels are mounted in the cabinet. One or more of the reels include an internal supporting member having a curved surface defining an outer circumferential portion, and a reel strip mounted on the outer circumferential portion of the internal supporting member. The reel strip has a plurality of configurable regions of bi-stable material defining the configurable surface. The configurable regions are capable of being configured to display designated symbols for the game of chance. The internal supporting member is rotatable about an axis to display one of the symbols as a part of the one or more outcomes. The controller is coupled to the configurable regions of the reel strip. The controller is configured to output symbol information designating a symbol to be displayed on one or more of the configurable regions during a power on state in which a power supply is coupled to the one or more configurable regions. The configurable regions are capable of displaying the designated symbols during a power off state in which the power supply is de-coupled from the configurable regions.
In one implementation, the bi-stable material is electronic paper, such as color electronic paper. The controller can be implemented as a reel output controller, a master gaming controller, and/or can include one or more processors. In one implementation, communications apparatus is coupled to provide the symbol information to the controller. The communications apparatus can include a slip ring coupled to a brush block, or a wireless receiver capable of receiving the symbol information from a wireless transmitter. A switching mechanism can be provided to control the coupling and de-coupling of the power supply. In one implementation, the symbol information is provided in a plurality of dimensions of data. In one implementation, one of the dimensions of data identifies the reel, another of the dimensions identifies the configurable region, a further one or more of the dimensions provide the designated symbol, and yet another one or more of the dimensions of data provide pixel values of the designated symbol.
In another aspect of the present invention, a configurable reel is adapted to be mounted in a gaming machine cabinet for play of a game of chance. The reel has a configurable surface for controlling information on the reel. The reel includes an internal supporting member and a reel strip. The internal supporting member is rotatable about an axis and has a curved surface defining an outer circumferential portion. The reel strip is mounted on the outer circumferential portion of the internal supporting member. The reel strip has a plurality of configurable regions of bi-stable material defining the configurable surface. The configurable regions are capable of being configured to display designated symbols for the game of chance. At least one of the configurable regions is capable of being coupled to a processor configured to output symbol information designating a symbol to be displayed on the configurable region during a power on state in which a power supply is coupled to the configurable region. The configurable region is capable of displaying the designated symbol during a power off state in which the power supply is de-coupled from the configurable region. In one implementation, the one or more configurable regions include a pattern of pixels.
In another aspect of the present invention, a configurable gaming system has configurable surfaces for controlling information shown for one or more games of chance. The system includes at least one gaming machine and a host device. The gaming machine includes a cabinet, a player input device, a master gaming controller, an output device, a plurality of reels, a controller, and a communications interface. The player input device is capable of receiving a wager for play of the game of chance. The master gaming controller is configured to provide one or more outcomes of the game of chance. The output device is configured to provide an award for a selected one of the outcomes. A plurality of reels are mounted in the cabinet. At least one of the reels includes an internal supporting member and a reel strip. The internal supporting member has a curved surface defining an outer circumferential portion. The reel strip is mounted on the outer circumferential portion of the internal supporting member. The reel strip has a plurality of configurable regions of bi-stable material defining the configurable surface. The configurable regions are capable of being configured to display designated symbols for the game of chance. The internal supporting member is rotatable about an axis to display one of the symbols as a part of the one or more outcomes. The controller is coupled to the configurable regions of the reel strip. The controller is configured to output symbol information designating a symbol to be displayed on one or more of the configurable regions during a power on state in which a power supply is coupled to the one or more configurable regions. The configurable regions are capable of displaying the designated symbols during a power off state in which the power supply is de-coupled from the configurable regions. The communications interface is coupled to a communications line. The host device is in communication with the communications interface of the gaming machine through the communications line. The host device is configured to send the symbol information to the gaming machine through the communications line.
In one implementation, the host device is one of the gaming machines. In another implementation, the host device is a data processing apparatus such as a server, personal computer, a lap top computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, and any combination of such apparatus. The symbol information, in one example, is a component of game theme information.
Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of configuring a gaming machine for controlling information shown on a reel having a configurable surface for providing a game of chance. A reel is mounted in the cabinet. The reel includes an internal supporting member having a curved surface defining an outer circumferential portion. A reel strip is mounted on the outer circumferential portion of the internal supporting member. The reel strip has a plurality of configurable regions of bi-stable material defining the configurable surface. The configurable regions are capable of being configured to display designated symbols for the game of chance. The internal supporting member is rotatable about an axis to display one of the symbols as a part of the one or more outcomes. An update message is received, indicating that one or more configurable regions are to be configured. Responsive to the update message, power is provided to the one or more configurable regions to define a power on state. Symbol information is output, designating a symbol to be displayed on one or more of the configurable regions during the power on state. The configurable regions are capable of displaying the designated symbols during a power off state in which the power is not provided to the configurable regions.
In one implementation, the update message is received from a player input device. In another implementation, the update message is received from a controller in the gaming machine. In yet another implementation, the update message is received from a host device selected from the group consisting of a further gaming machine, a server, a personal computer, a lap top computer, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile phone. In one implementation, a symbol list is retrieved from a memory device. The symbol list provides the symbol information. The memory device can be situated at a remote location with respect to the gaming machine. Alternatively, the memory device can be local, for instance, coupled to the controller. The symbol information can identify reel stops corresponding to the one or more configurable regions.
All of the foregoing methods and apparatus, along with other methods and apparatus of aspects of the present invention, may be implemented in software, firmware, hardware and combinations thereof. For example, the methods of aspects of the present invention may be implemented by computer programs embodied in machine-readable media and other products. Also, aspects of the invention may be implemented by networked gaming machines, game servers and other such devices. These and other features and benefits of aspects of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the associated drawings.
The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are illustrative of specific embodiments of the present invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to some specific embodiments of the invention including the best modes contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, numerous specific details are set forth below in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bi-stable material providing configurable surfaces on a reel of a gaming machine, such as a slot machine. It can be said that the pixels of the material are bi-stable, because the state of each pixel can be maintained without a constant supply of power. The information displayed on the configurable surface can be downloaded from a data source and changed as desired.
Embodiments of the present invention provide for configurable regions defined in the configurable surface. Each region is configurable to display one or more symbols of a game of chance, such as a slot game. Different reel symbols and sets of reel symbols can be electronically downloaded from a gaming server or other gaming machine to the slot machine. A controller in the slot machine is operatively coupled to update the configurable regions to display the downloaded reel symbols. In this way, a game provided on the slot machine can be changed as desired. Because of the bi-stable nature of the configurable surface, the reel strip only needs to have power when the displayed information is updated. Otherwise, the power can be switched off. Because of the electronic download and update capabilities of the bi-stable configurable reels, alteration or replacement of the physical reel strips and reels is not necessary to update or change the game.
Electronic paper is one possible implementation of a bi-stable material used to form reel strips having surfaces with configurable regions, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Electronic paper can be disposed as a reel strip about the outer surface of a reel, as described herein. One suitable electronic paper for use with embodiments of the present invention is electronic paper display technology incorporating electronic ink, manufactured by E Ink Corp.
As known to those skilled in the art, electronic paper possesses a paper-like high contrast appearance, low power consumption, and a thin, light form. Electronic paper gives the viewer the experience of reading from paper, while having the capability of updatable information. Electronic ink in the paper carries a charge enabling it to be updated electronically. Electronic ink is a reflective technology that requires no front or backlight, is viewable under a wide range of lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. Unlike most other display technologies, electronic paper has image memory. In other words, once an image is displayed, no power is required to maintain the image content. The image remains after power is removed.
Electronic paper is flexible and can conform to various shapes. Electronic paper is suitable for mounting on curved surfaces due to its thin form factor and inherent flexibility. Unlike other display technologies such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), an image displayed on electronic paper looks the same from all viewing angles and will not distort when touched or flexed, making electronic ink a preferred display medium for flexible displays.
There are many methods of forming electronic paper. The type that will be described in most detail herein is a form of “electrophoretic” display technology, because it is based on the principles of electrophoresis (the movement of an electrically charged substance under the influence of an electric field). Other technologies being applied to electronic paper include electrochromic displays, modified versions of liquid crystal displays and cholesteric displays.
Turning first to
In
Multi-color electronic paper is preferably implemented to form bi-stable downloadable reel strips for use with embodiments of the present invention. In one example, multiple layers of electronic paper similar to that shown in
To provide control over the information displayed on the electronic paper 100, the electronic paper is laminated to a layer of circuitry. The circuitry includes patterned conductors forming a pattern of pixels that can be controlled by a suitable controller and/or processor to provide the desired resolution for display of reel symbols on the electronic paper.
In the example shown in
A controller operatively coupled to control the output of information on the electronic paper 200 includes a driver chip 210 and display processor 214. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that driver chip 210 and display processor 214 represent one possible implementation of the controller. Driver chip 210 is in communication with conductor 202 via connections 208 and in communication with display processor 214 via connections 212. Here, common ground electrode 211 is also connected to driver 210. In alternative implementations, driver 210 may be implemented as software executed by, e.g., display processor 214. Display processor 214 may communicate with other devices, including memory 235, via connections 216.
In this example, within the area of shape 204 or 206, driver 210 will cause a charge to be applied. Accordingly, all of shape 204 or 206 may be directly driven and separately controlled. When driver 210 causes charges to be applied to shape 206, as explained above, predetermined colors, including black and white for purposes of this discussion, are visible to observer V in area 220. In one implementation, observer V would see the color, or colors, of the dielectric in the remainder of layer 218, often a white or cream color.
When layer 218 is implemented to provide multiple colors, various effects may be created, including a segmented display such as that depicted in
Segmented electronic paper such as electronic paper 200 is simple to control. The instruction set for controlling electronic paper 200 can be basic. As such, it requires only a small amount of memory 235 and an inexpensive display processor 214. Segmented electronic paper may advantageously be used for static features such as symbols, logos and the like. Although these features are static, segmented electronic paper may be used to provide a range of such static features that may be switched on or off. In some implementations, however, such switching could be used to implement simple types of animated displays.
Moreover, segmented electronic paper may be used in combination with electronic paper having greater display flexibility, such as that provided by a more complex patterning in the conductor. An example of one electronic paper 225 will now be described with reference to
Electronic paper 225 is an active matrix type of electronic paper, which is made possible by a finer granularity of the patterning in conductor 202. In this example, conductor 202 has been partitioned into rectangular cells 229, each of which is independently addressable and controllable by processor 214, via driver 210. When driver 210 causes charges to be applied to cells 229a, 229b, 229c and 229d of conductor 202, charged particles and/or dielectric in layer 218, depending on the desired implementation, are visible to observer V in the corresponding cells 231a, 231b, 231c and 231d. As mentioned before, the charged particles maybe a “color” other than white, may be negatively charged, may be differentially charged on opposing sides, etc.
In
In
Returning to
In one embodiment, each bi-stable configurable region 302a-d in the reel strip is independently controllable. Thus, separate lines are provided to one or more of the conductive plates of each configurable region. In one embodiment, each of the configurable regions 302a, 302b, 302c and 302d of electronic paper has a corresponding processor, display driver and memory, as described above with respect to
Depending on the complexity of the overall display and the other devices involved, reel output controller 304 may be implemented as a component of the master gaming controller of the gaming machine. In another implementation, reel output controller 304 is implemented by one or more devices, including but not limited to a CPU, a PC or a similar device, a switch, a server, etc. Reel output controller 304 may act independently or according to instructions from another device, such as a server, a gaming machine, another reel output controller 304, etc.
As described below, some implementations of the invention provide reel output controllers that control speakers, light projectors and other devices for creating additional features of desired effects. Reel output controller 304 may cooperate with other such devices to provide an engaging and readily changeable game theme. Some such implementations may provide various group gaming features, including but not limited to group bonus events.
Reel output controller 304 may be implemented, for example, in a bank of gaming machines of a gaming establishment. In this implementation, a group of gaming machines are connected to reel output controller 304. Reel output controller 304 controls the various gaming machines to output similar or related sets of output symbols as desired to provide a common theme on all of the gaming machines in the bank. Game themes and/or output symbols may be configured according to “pull” or “bottom up” approaches as well as “push” or “top down” approaches. In a peer-to-peer configuration, the reel output controller 304 in one gaming machine is in communication with and controls the output symbols on other gaming machines in the peer-to-peer system.
Reel output controller 304 may provide instructions to a gaming machine and/or other devices. For example, reel output controller 304 may provide instructions to one or more gaming machines to change configurable surfaces or particular configurable regions within the surfaces. This change may reflect a new game theme, a group game and/or team configuration, etc., or may simply indicate a player's desire to have a different configurable surface displayed. A gaming establishment server may provide instructions to the reel output controller 304 to change not only a game theme, but also a corresponding environment for an entire bank of gaming machines, a section of a casino, etc.
In one implementation, a player may make a request (e.g., from a user input device of a gaming machine) to have different output symbols displayed, sometimes as part of a different game theme, to start playing a different game and/or to form a group for group play. In response, a server may instruct reel output controller 304 to display appropriate reel symbols and/or sets of reel symbols for one or more gaming machines. A command to change a single gaming machine's configurable surface to replace one or more symbols could be issued by reel output controller 304 to a plurality of gaming machines to make the same changes. This arrangement could simplify the hardware and/or software required by each individual gaming machine.
In
In one embodiment, the reel output controller 304, and/or one or more of the individual controllers of the separate configurable regions, can be implemented in circuitry provided on configurable surface 300 of reel strip 502, such as integrated circuits 504 on reel strip 502. In another embodiment, the circuitry is provided on a printed circuit board 508 mounted on the interior of reel 502, as shown in
In
One benefit of using bi-stable configurable material to form the configurable regions of the reel strips is that the control and power signals provided to the brush block 524 can be intermittent. That is, power and data signals only need to be provided when one or more configurable regions on the reel strip are updated. When the symbols have been displayed, for instance, when the reels are spinning during game play, there is no need to continue powering the individual configurable regions, nor is there a need to continue providing data to these regions. The displayed information on the region remains, regardless of whether power or data signals are provided. Thus, a switching mechanism can be operatively coupled at a desired location along the signal and power path to switch off the data signal and power between updates. In one embodiment, the switching mechanism is implemented to time the switching on of power with the sending of data in the data signal and outputting of the information for display on the configurable regions of the reel strip. Thus, in the embodiment described above, when the reels are not rotating, the slip ring drum 518 and printed circuit board 508 can be powered on for a length of time necessary to update the configurable regions, and then powered off when the update is complete.
In yet another alternative embodiment, power is generated using a photovoltaic cell located on the reel or reel strip. A light source is located on the motor 516 or other suitable location on the reel assembly, and positioned to energize the photovoltaic cell. As with the embodiment of
Returning to
In one implementation, wireless transmitters can be portable and coupled to portable handheld devices such as PDAs, cell phones, laptop computers, and other data processing apparatus and devices. In this way, the wireless transmitters can be carried about the gaming environment by IGT technicians or other authorized individuals. Preferably, a suitable authentication process is performed before enabling communications between the transmitter and receiver. Secure communications protocols, for instance, using conventional encryption techniques, are preferably applied to pass the information. In one embodiment, transceiver apparatus including the transmitter and receiver described above are disabled during game play to prevent tampering and cheating.
In one implementation, a bank of slot machines is desirably updated to have the same or similar symbol information displayed on the reels of all the machines in the group. For instance, a plurality of machines may be located in a particular area of a gaming environment, in which the environment can be changed to reflect certain themes. When the theme changes, it can be desirable to update the graphics and information displayed on the various gaming machines in the bank. In one embodiment, the same symbol information is passed to part or all of the machines for updating the reels on the machines to show the same information. In another embodiment, a further communications line identifies particular machines to be updated. Symbol update information is routed to the appropriate machines, for instance, all or part of the machines in a bank. Wired or wireless communications techniques including those described herein can provide the transmission of data to the reels.
In an embodiment employing wireless data communications, the wireless transmitter and receiver are desirably powered on for a period of time to transmit and receive the symbol display information, and then powered off. Preferably, symbol update information is passed when the reels are stopped to avoid data corruption from noise generated by friction of mechanical parts during rotation of the reels.
In
In one embodiment, using the electronic paper of
When the electronic paper embodiment of
Further dimensions of symbol update information can be provided, as desired for the particular implementation. In one embodiment, an additional communications line has data identifying a particular reel in a machine to be updated. Each reel can be addressable with its own address. In another embodiment, a further communications line can identify particular gaming machines to receive an update, for instance, all of the gaming machines in a bank of machines and/or certain location in a casino. Thus, in some embodiments, there are often 4or 5dimensions of symbol update information. In one example, the variable “x” provides a machine ID designating a particular machine to receive an update. The “y” variable provides reel ID information identifying reels within the machine to receive updates. The “z” variable identifies particular configurable regions corresponding to stops on the reel to receive symbol information. Each identified configurable region is provided with 1, 2, 3, or more dimensions of symbol information. For instance, when using 2 dimensions, an N×M (rows×columns) matrix of pixel values can be provided to the configurable region for update. Separate communications lines can be used to pass the data for each of the variables or dimensions of information. The information is desirably multiplexed using conventional techniques for efficient handling and processing.
Methods of updating reel symbols on configurable surfaces of reels strips constructed of bi-stable material, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, are described with respect to
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In the embodiment of
In the system of
In the embodiment of
In one embodiment, a microprocessor component (“MC”) 1008 of the master gaming controller 1006 or other like logic device first receives the symbol information issued by the host 1002, and in turn stores the data on an associated storage device or memory unit, such as flash RAM 1010. A controller, which may be implemented as a part of MC 1008, then reads the file or symbol data set stored in flash RAM 147 and forwards the information contained therein to reel output controller 304 for handling until the reel output controller 304 is given another set of display data or otherwise instructed to stop displaying information on the reel strips. Alternatively, the reel output controller 304 may be integrated with the MC 1008 or otherwise provided in the master gaming controller 1006 or other like logic device. Such an arrangement may be desirable due to design preferences, cost considerations, availability of off-the-shelf parts and other factors.
In one embodiment, one or more additional electronic components (“ECs”) 1012 within the master gaming controller 1006 may be desired. Such an additional EC could be, for example, a separate controller, an added processor, a programmable logic device (“PLD”), a field programmable gate array or an added flash RAM or dynamic RAM unit capable of storing one or more added symbol information files or data sets, among others. In one implementation, EC 148 is an additional flash RAM unit, such that gaming machine 10 is capable of temporarily storing related video files or data sets. In one example involving a separate and independent video display implemented on the gaming machine, a Mega Jackpot amount or other pertinent information can be displayed on the video display.
In
In
In a particular example of symbol image files or data sets being sent to one or more gaming machines from host 1002, a player may select one from a variety of game choices on a given multi-game machine, whereupon the host 1002 sends to the master gaming controller 1006 a file or data set of symbol information reflective of that particular player selected game. Because the master gaming controller 1006 outputs the symbol information just once and is then no longer involved with driving or monitoring each reel strip during game play, machine resources and MC activity are saved, with such resources and MGC activity then being available for other processes or enhance primary game features.
A new set of symbol information can be sent to each master gaming controller 1006 in a given machine, and output to reel output controller 304 responsive to any number of events. A player may choose to select a different game, for example, whereupon the host can then send files or data sets for symbol information images reflective of that newly selected game to the reel strips, as described above. Alternatively, if game play should stop for a given period of time, the master gaming controller 1006 may be programmed to send a separate set of image files or data sets to the reel output controller 304 on its own. In this manner, a multi-game machine can be programmed to automatically rotate complete sets of symbol information for many or all of the various possible games and themes available on that machine during a player attract phase or other similar down time.
Communication means and protocols for both internal and remote apparatus as described herein can vary widely as desired, with one exemplary use and description for standard peripheral communications within a gaming machine being disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,014 to Stockdale, et al., entitled “Standard Peripheral Communication,” which patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. Communications can be made both internally within a single machine, or alternatively over a network of machines and/or servers, such as a WAN or LAN, for example. Hard-wired types of communications and protocols that can run between machines, devices and servers can include, for example, those involving Universal Serial Bus (“USB”), Firewire and proprietary cables and bus technologies.
Alternatively, any practicable wireless technology may also be implemented for communications between a host and gaming machine, including, for example, a Bluetooth® Wireless system utilizing an IEEE 802.1×standard, an alternative wireless system utilizing a similar wireless fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) standard, and any other system having standard wireless communication means and protocols. Exemplary systems and methods of providing and receiving wireless communications between various devices within and associated with a gaming machine are disclosed in commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/661,404, by Silva, et al., filed Sep. 11, 2003, and entitled “Wireless Input/Output and Peripheral Devices on a Gaming Machine,” which application is also incorporated herein in its entirety and for all purposes.
In
In
Returning to
Once the master gaming controller 1006 recognizes that the user has deposited value, the master gaming controller may then determine the symbols to be displayed on each reel, as described above. The reel output controller 304 maybe programmed to output an infinite variety of symbols and furthermore, the criteria for determining the particular symbols to be displayed on the configurable regions may be based upon any criteria. For example, game play symbols may be themed to a particular casino, gaming machine, gaming area, and/or game show. Furthermore, the controller 304 may be programmed to dynamically change the chosen indicia before or after game play to offer the user a unique game play experience.
Once the symbols to be output or updated on the configurable regions is determined, the controller 304 may instruct the processors 214 and display drivers 210 to display the game play indicia on the configurable surfaces of the reels. The user may then place a wager and begin a game play, for example, either by pulling an arm or by depressing a spin button, either of which causes the slot machine 10 to spin the reels for a period of time.
The master gaming controller 1006 may determine the outcome of the game and determine the reel stop positions. The controller 1006 may then stop the reels from spinning according to the determined outcome of the game. As the reels are stopped, indicia representative of the game outcome may be displayed to the user on the configurable regions aligned with the pay lines on each of the associated reels. The controller 1006 may examine the indicia displayed to the user and determine the payout afforded the user based upon gaming instructions and pay tables stored within the controller 1006. For example, the gaming machine may be programmed to pay a scheduled amount if three sevens are displayed to the user. The slot machine 10 may either dispense or remove value based upon the outcome. For example, a “winning” combination of indicia pays out by dispensing value to the user, while a “losing” combination removes the value wagered by the user.
Those skilled in the art should appreciate that electronic ink is a fluid material and, therefore, can be affected by forces imposed on it. Because the electronic paper described in embodiments above is mounted in a gaming machine on rotatable reels, there will be gravitational and centrifugal forces imposed on it when the gaming machine is in operation. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the amount of charge applied to the conductive layers in the electronic paper should be sufficient to overcome the gravitational, and even a reasonable amount of centrifugal force imposed on the reels when the configurable regions are updated during rotation. By the same token, care should be taken when setting the speed at which the motor spins the reels to ensure that the corresponding amount of centrifugal force imposed on the configurable regions does not cause the electronic ink to arbitrarily spread and distort the displayed symbol information. Those skilled in the art should keep in mind, when power is de-coupled, there is often no electrical charge to counteract gravitational and centrifugal forces imposed on the electronic paper after the configurable regions are updated, and the reels are spun for game play.
One benefit of constructing reel strips from bi-stable material, according to embodiments of the present invention, is the greater assurance of maintaining integrity of the displayed symbol information in the event of an error such as power failure. For instance, the power supply could be suspended due to an outage, or degradation of the slip rings in the embodiment described above with reference to
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in the form and details of the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For instance, the gaming network may be connected to other devices including other servers or gaming devices over the Internet or through other wired and wireless systems. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may be employed with a variety of network protocols and architectures. Thus, the examples described herein are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims will be interpreted to include all variations, equivalents, changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1488889 | Lollis | Apr 1924 | A |
3864024 | Olson | Feb 1975 | A |
4127849 | Okor | Nov 1978 | A |
4448419 | Telnaes | May 1984 | A |
4614342 | Takashima | Sep 1986 | A |
4711452 | Dickinson et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4712799 | Fraley | Dec 1987 | A |
4838552 | Hagiwara | Jun 1989 | A |
4856787 | Itkis | Aug 1989 | A |
4932147 | David | Jun 1990 | A |
5026152 | Sharkey | Jun 1991 | A |
5135224 | Yamamoto et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5162696 | Goodrich | Nov 1992 | A |
5239227 | Kikinis | Aug 1993 | A |
5342047 | Heidel et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5413357 | Schulze et al. | May 1995 | A |
5524888 | Heidel | Jun 1996 | A |
5580055 | Hagiwara | Dec 1996 | A |
5634080 | Kikinis et al. | May 1997 | A |
5680160 | LaPointe | Oct 1997 | A |
5688551 | Littman et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5752881 | Inoue | May 1998 | A |
5770533 | Franchi | Jun 1998 | A |
5770914 | Pease et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5788573 | Baerlocher et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5803453 | Stephan et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5807172 | Piechowiak | Sep 1998 | A |
5816918 | Kelly et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5839957 | Schneider et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5839960 | Parra et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5911419 | Delaney et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5924926 | Brown | Jul 1999 | A |
5929474 | Huang et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5934672 | Sines et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5947820 | Morro et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5951397 | Dickinson | Sep 1999 | A |
5965907 | Huang et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5971271 | Wynn et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5977704 | Shi et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6002206 | Harrison et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6008784 | Acres et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6016176 | Kim et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6027115 | Griswold et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6033307 | Vancura | Mar 2000 | A |
6068552 | Walker et al. | May 2000 | A |
6075316 | Shi et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6082887 | Feuer et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6086066 | Takeuchi et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6135884 | Hedrick et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6155925 | Giobbi et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6162121 | Morro et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6166496 | Lys et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6205690 | Heropoulos et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6229505 | Fujii | May 2001 | B1 |
6251014 | Stockdale et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6254481 | Jaffe et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6264561 | Saffari et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6287202 | Pascal et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6315666 | Mastera et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6366016 | Sakaguchi et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6368216 | Hedrick et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6406371 | Baba et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6454649 | Mattice et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6464581 | Yoseloff et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6485884 | Wolk et al. | Nov 2002 | B2 |
6502758 | Cottrell | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6503147 | Stockdale et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6517433 | Loose et al. | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6523824 | Colapinto et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6530165 | Griesemer et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6609968 | Okada et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6638165 | Uchiyama et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6659866 | Frost et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6722987 | Orr et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6743094 | Johnson | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6743102 | Fiechter et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6773345 | Walker et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6786818 | Rothschild et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6798148 | Inukai | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6817946 | Motegi et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6893345 | Motegi et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6908387 | Hendrick et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6911781 | Yamazaki et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6923720 | Loose | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6939226 | Joshi | Sep 2005 | B1 |
7008324 | Johnson et al. | Mar 2006 | B1 |
7048629 | Sines et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7053890 | Inukai | May 2006 | B2 |
7121945 | Suganuma et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7169048 | Nozaki et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7204753 | Ozaki et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7335101 | Luciano, Jr. | Feb 2008 | B1 |
7344442 | Inoue | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7542198 | Kothari | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7682249 | Winans et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7811170 | Winans et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7887408 | Walker et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
8002624 | Paulsen et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8016670 | LeMay et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8092305 | Seelig et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8096878 | Durham et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8137176 | Bernard et al. | Mar 2012 | B2 |
20020012898 | Shechter et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020082083 | Ito et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020142846 | Paulsen | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020173354 | Winans et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020175466 | Loose et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020187831 | Arikawa et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030032479 | LeMay et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030045343 | Luccesi et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030060269 | Paulsen et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030064784 | Wells et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030195045 | Kaminkow et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030220134 | Walker et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030220139 | Peterson | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030232651 | Huard et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040082385 | Silva et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040102245 | Escalera et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040142745 | Hosaka | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040166940 | Rothschild | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040219978 | Teramoto et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040266518 | Gauselmann et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050054423 | Wadleigh | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050054440 | Anderson et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050101387 | Wolf | May 2005 | A1 |
20050153776 | LeMay et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050170736 | Cok | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050170890 | Rowe et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050272505 | Okamura | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060014580 | Hawthorn | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060100013 | Enzminger | May 2006 | A1 |
20060100019 | Hornik | May 2006 | A1 |
20060128467 | Thomas | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060281529 | Seelig et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070004510 | Underdahl et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070052660 | Montbach et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070093290 | Winans et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070283265 | Portano | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20070293299 | Aida | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080020827 | Underdahl et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080096624 | Rydberg | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080200233 | Aida | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080214277 | Kishi | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20090104969 | Paulsen et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0 134 979 | Mar 1985 | EP |
0 246 021 | Nov 1987 | EP |
0 288 152 | Oct 1988 | EP |
0 896 308 | Feb 1999 | EP |
1 082 980 | Mar 2001 | EP |
1 291 829 | Mar 2003 | EP |
1 422 673 | May 2004 | EP |
1 550 987 | Jul 2005 | EP |
2092795 | Aug 1982 | GB |
2116345 | Sep 1983 | GB |
2253299 | Sep 1992 | GB |
2447481 | Sep 2008 | GB |
2002-360908 | Dec 2002 | JP |
2004-081826 | Mar 2004 | JP |
2004-089689 | Mar 2004 | JP |
WO 9803962 | Jan 1998 | WO |
WO 9850804 | Nov 1998 | WO |
WO 0055879 | Sep 2000 | WO |
WO 0060669 | Oct 2000 | WO |
WO 0217613 | Feb 2002 | WO |
WO 02091319 | Nov 2002 | WO |
WO 2005071628 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO 2005114600 | Dec 2005 | WO |
WO 2008030781 | Mar 2008 | WO |
WO 2008057929 | May 2008 | WO |
WO 2010042328 | Apr 2010 | WO |
Entry |
---|
U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,844, filed Oct. 8, 2008, Paulsen et al. |
International Search Report dated Jun. 6, 2005 issued in PCT/US2005/000387. |
Written Opinion dated Jun. 6, 2005 issued in PCT/US2005/000387. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Jul. 27, 2006 issued in PCT/US2005/000387. |
International Search Report dated Apr. 16, 2008 issued in PCT/US2007/083315. |
Written Opinion dated Apr. 16, 2008 issued in PCT/US2007/083315. |
International Search Report mailed Apr. 9, 2008 issued in PCT/US2007/077453. |
Written Opinion dated Apr. 9, 2008 issued in PCT/US2007/077453. |
Russian Office Action dated Dec. 15, 2006 issued in 2006124191/20 (026231). |
US Office Action dated Jul. 12, 2007 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Final Office Action dated Jan. 8, 2008 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Office Action dated Jun. 26, 2008 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Sep. 22, 1999 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/047,889. |
US Office Action dated Mar. 30, 1999 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/047,889. |
US Office Action dated Mar. 24, 2003 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action dated Oct. 7, 2003 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Final Office Action dated Apr. 26, 2004 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action dated May 2, 2006 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action (Interview Summary) dated Jul. 10, 2006 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Final Office Action dated Dec. 7, 2006 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action dated Sep. 20, 2007 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action dated Aug. 8, 2008 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
AV Video: Announce World's First Video-Capable Flexible Plastic LCD Display: Jun. 2001, http://www.avvideo.com/2001/06—jun/news/plastic—video.htm. |
Brochure describing “Electroluminescent Display” available from Planar Corporation, prior to Jan. 1997 (3 pages). |
Del Conte, Natali T., “Philips Demos Digital Game Board” downloaded from internet at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2009874.asp, Article date: Aug. 29, 2006, 2 pages. |
Display of “High Rollers Triple Diamond” Gaming Machine at a casino in Nevada in about 1995 (photograph of similar machine). |
“Display Panels with Electronic Ink”, Fraunhofer Magazin, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Muenchen, DE 2:38-39, XP002344237. |
“First Generation Electronic Paper Display From Philips, Sony and E Ink to be Used in New Electronic Reading Device”, (Mar. 24, 2004) [online] [retrieved on Sep. 8, 2005] URL:http://www.eink.com/news/releases/pr70.html. |
“Foled Flexible Organic Light Emitting Device,” Universal Display Corporation Online: http://www.universaldisplay.com/foled.php, pp. 1-2, printed Apr. 26, 2001. |
Kavoossi B, (Dec. 12, 2001) “Printed microsystems on paper”, [Retrieved on Sep. 9, 2005] URL:http://www.tekes.fi/julkaisut/Active—imaging.pdf. |
Lieberman, David, “Push is on to Replace Glass with Plastic in LCDs,” EETimes.com: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG19990615S0031, pp. 1-4, dated Jun. 15, 1999, printed Sep. 6, 2000. |
“The Tube.” Businessweek Online:http://www/bisomessweel/cp,:/2000—10/design3.htm?scriptFramed, pp. 1-2, dated Mar. 6, 2000, printed Dec. 20, 2001. |
US Final Office Action dated Feb. 2, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Advisory Action dated Apr. 21, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Office Action dated Jul. 7, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Office Action dated Jun. 23, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/517,861. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Sep. 18, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/517,861. |
US Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/517,861. |
US Office Action dated Jun. 25, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/880,937. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Sep. 18, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/880,937. |
US Office Action Final dated Jan. 21, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/880,937. |
US Final Office Action dated Apr. 21, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action dated Jul. 6, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action Final dated Mar. 16, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action Final dated Aug. 16, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2005 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action Final dated Mar. 16, 2006 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action dated Jul. 6, 2006 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action Final dated Jan. 5, 2007 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Advisory Action dated Apr. 4, 2007 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Apr. 26, 2007 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action dated Jun. 4, 2007 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action Final dated Feb. 21, 2008 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action dated Aug. 20, 2008 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action dated Jan. 30, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Aug. 13, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Sep. 14, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 2, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/139,801. |
US Office Action dated Oct. 31, 2008 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/546,659. |
US Office Action dated May 12, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/546,659. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Aug. 12, 2009 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/546,659. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 20, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/546,659. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 26, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/546,659. |
AU Examiner's First Report dated Nov. 13, 2009 issued in 2005207295. |
AU Notice of Acceptance dated Aug. 25, 2010 issued in 2005207295. |
Chinese First Office Action dated Nov. 28, 2008 issued in 200580002282.8. |
Chinese Second Office Action dated Mar. 1, 2010 issued in 200580002282.8. |
European Office Action dated Apr. 24, 2009 issued in 05 705 161.7-1238. |
Mexican Office Action dated May 12, 2009 issued in 06/07949. |
Russian Office Action dated Dec. 8, 2008 issued in 2006124191/09 (026231). |
European Examination Report dated Oct. 30, 2009 issued in 07 863 774.1-2221. |
European Examination Report dated Jun. 4, 2010 issued in 07 863 774.1-2221. |
PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jan. 21, 2010 issued in PCT/US2009/058261. |
PCT International Search Report dated Aug. 14, 2003 issued in PCT/US02/13863. |
PCT Written Opinion dated Sep. 24, 2003 issued in PCT/US02/13863. |
PCT International Preliminary Examination Report dated Nov. 24, 2003 issued in PCT/US02/13863. |
Patent Abstracts of Japan vol. 2000, No. 09, Oct. 13, 2000 & JP 2000 172444 A (Semiconductor Energy Lab Co LTD), Jun. 23, 2000 abstract. |
Patent Abstracts of Japan vol. 2000, No. 20, Jul. 10, 2001 & JP 2001 076886 A (Futaba Corp), Mar. 23, 2001 abstract. |
Australian Examiner's First Report dated Feb. 16, 2007 issued in AU 2002256429. |
Australian Examiner's First Report dated Jan. 15, 2009 issued in AU 2007216701. |
EP Examination Report dated Dec. 9, 2005 issued in EP 02 725 894.6-2218. |
EP Examination Report dated Jan. 12, 2007 issued in EP 02 725 894.6-2218. |
EP Examiner's Report dated Jul. 20, 2009 issued in EP 02 725 894.6-2218. |
IBM, Organic Light Emitting Diodes Project, Apr. 16, 2002, http://www.almaden.ibm.com/st/projects/oleds/. |
Kodak, What It Is Apr. 25, 2002 http://www.kodak.corn/US/en/corp/display/overview.jhtml. |
Rolltronics, By Dr. James Sheats, Introduction to Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), Apr. 16, 2002, http://www.rolltronics.com/intro oled.htp. |
Universal Display Corporation, “From Passive to Active Matrix”, Apr. 25, 2002, <http://www.universaldisplay.com/matrix.php>. |
Universal Display Corporation, FOLED Flexible Organic Light Emitting Device, Apr. 25, 2002, http://www.universaldisplay.com/foled.php. |
US Office Action dated Apr. 28, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated May 10, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 24, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 18, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/756,225. |
US Office Action dated Jul. 28, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/517,861. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Office Action dated Sep. 26, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/517,861. |
US Final Office Action dated Nov. 2, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/517,861. |
US Office Action dated Dec. 21, 2010 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Examiner Interview Summary dated Mar. 10, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 1, 2011 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,962. |
Canadian Office Action dated Apr. 12, 2011 issued in CA 2,552,400. |
Chinese Third Office Action dated Feb. 16, 2011 issued in 200580002282.8. |
Chinese Fourth Office Action dated Sep. 15, 2011 issued in 200580002282.8. |
AU Examiner's first report dated Aug. 5, 2011 issued in AU 2007317424. |
AU First Office Action dated Aug. 24, 2011 issued in AU 2007317424. |
PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion dated Apr. 21, 2010 issued in PCT/US2009/058261. |
US Office Action dated Mar. 27, 2012 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,844. |
US Applicant Initiated Interview Summary dated May 16, 2012 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,844. |
US Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 16, 2012 issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,844. |
US Allowed Claims dated Jul. 16, 2012 for U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,844. |
Canadian Second Office Action dated Mar. 28, 2012 issued in CA 2,552,400. |
Chinese Fifth Office Action dated Dec. 23, 2011 issued in 200580002282.8. |
AU Examiner's report No. 2 dated Dec. 20, 2011 issued in AU 2007317424. |
European Communication Report dated Feb. 3, 2011 issued in 07 863 774.1-2221. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070054730 A1 | Mar 2007 | US |