A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having a game with a functional refractive light display.
Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment, entertainment and excitement as possible. Providing interesting and exciting primary games and secondary games in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits is one way to enhance player enjoyment and excitement. Another way to enhance a player's enjoyment, entertainment and excitement with a gaming device is by including lights, sounds or other visual or audio or audio-visual effects in the gaming machines.
Known gaming devices use certain lighting effects to enhance the overall look of the machines to players and which are used in primary games or secondary games. Known gaming machines use lighting effects such as light-emitting diodes commonly referred to as LED's. LED's in various sizes and colors have been used to illuminate displays, signs and inputs in gaming devices.
Certain known gaming machines also use LED's to illuminate pieces of glass to create visual effects in signs associated with gaming devices. This lighting effect, commonly known as edge-lit glass, is used to enhance the visual appearance of signs or toppers on or associated with gaming devices. For instance, edge-lit glass is currently used to illuminate signs that describe the theme or name of a gaming device. Edge-lit glass is therefore used to attract players to gaming devices by enhancing the visual appearance of the gaming device.
Edge-lit glass has not been used or employed in the functional aspects of a gaming device, and specifically has not been used functionally in primary or secondary games in gaming devices to make the games more interesting, exciting, entertaining or enjoyable. Additionally, the edge-lit glass and light sources for the displays or signs have not been controlled by a processor to work in conjunction with a game. The light source for edge-lit glass previously employed in displays, signs or inputs was directly powered by a power source without the control of a processor.
The present invention includes a gaming device having a game with a functional refractive light display. The functional refractive light display may be employed in a primary or secondary game. In one embodiment, the refractive light display is employed in conjunction with one or more symbols or symbol displays. The refractive light display and the symbol display co-act to provide a portion of the game to the player.
In one embodiment, as further discussed below, the refractive light display is positioned adjacent to or in front of a wheel having one or more symbols, one or more reels, or one or more other symbol displays having one or more symbols. The wheel, reel(s) or other symbol display and the refractive light display co-act to indicate or highlight one or more of the symbols on the wheel, reel(s) or other light display to the player in a primary game or secondary game.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a housing, a refractive light display mounted in the housing, a light source including a plurality of lights connected to the housing and positioned adjacent to the refractive light display, a symbol display connected to the housing and mounted adjacent to or relative to the refractive light display, a sub-processor that controls the light source to illuminate the refractive light display and a processor which controls the symbol display in communication with the sub-processor. The refractive light display includes a substantially transparent or translucent material such as acrylic, plexi-glass or glass, which has at least one refractive surface. The light source is preferably mounted adjacent to the refractive light display and controls the plurality of lights which direct light into one or more edges of the material. The light travels through the material and is directed outwardly from the refractive surface or surfaces. The light refracted from the surface(s) interacts with the symbols on the symbol display to indicate one or more symbols to the player. In one embodiment, the refractive light display includes a plurality of refractive surfaces that form one or more patterns, images or designs in the refractive light display to indicate one or more symbols on the symbol display or indicate a game state or game mode such as an attract mode, an idle mode, a normal mode, a game play mode, a bonus mode, a cashout mode, a credit roll-up mode, a jackpot mode or other hand pay modes or player tracking modes.
In one embodiment, the refractive light display is mounted adjacent to an award display or indicator such as an award wheel and indicates award symbols on the award indicator. The refractive light display may indicate an award symbol by highlighting a particular section of the award indicator. For example, a colored light may be used to highlight a section of the award wheel.
In one embodiment, the refractive light display is fixed or stationary and the symbol display is also stationary. In an alternative embodiment, the symbol display moves or rotates while the refractive light display remains stationary. In another embodiment, the refractive light display and the symbol display both move or rotate. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, the refractive light display and the symbol display may move in the same direction or in different or opposite directions. In another embodiment, the symbol display is stationary or fixed and the refractive light display moves or rotates.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the refractive light display is positioned adjacent to at least one or a plurality of reels. The refractive light display provides one or more refractive surfaces which function as one or more paylines associated with the reels. The refractive surfaces on the refractive light display indicate the winning positions for the symbols on the reels. In this embodiment, as well as in the other embodiments, one or more light sources may be used to illuminate the refractive surfaces. The light sources may be of the same or different color lights. The paylines may thus be the same color, different colors or any combination thereof. Also, the paylines may sequentially have different colors.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the functional refractive light display is used to provide the symbols to the player. In particular, the functional refractive surfaces are used to form one or more patterns, images or symbols in a primary game or a secondary game. For instance, the functional refractive light display may include a plurality of refractive surfaces which provide the bonus symbols in a bonus game.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide gaming device with a functional refractive light display.
A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device having a functional refractive light display that indicates symbols on a symbol display.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device having a functional refractive light display that provides symbols in a game of a gaming device.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.
Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
The gaming device can incorporate any base or primary game such as slot, poker, blackjack or keno, any of the bonus triggering events and any of the bonus round games. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device may be in mechanical, electrical, electronic or video form.
As illustrated in
As shown in
At any time during the game, a player may “cash out” and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player “cashes out,” the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.
The embodiment shown in
The gaming device shown in
Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device. Furthermore, gaming device preferably includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming device unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 is generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.”
With reference to
In addition to winning credits in this manner, in one embodiment the gaming device also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type of gaming device will include a program which will generally automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on a display device. The gaming device may uses a video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus round. In the slot embodiment, preferably, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in
One embodiment of the present invention includes a functional refractive light display that is mounted in the gaming device for interacting with a game. In one embodiment, the functional refractive light display includes a sheet or layer of material (referred to herein as edge-lit material) having one or more refractive surfaces. The refractive surfaces are etched or otherwise suitably formed in the surface of the edge-lit material using a conventional etching device or other cutting tool. The edge-lit material is preferably acrylic; however, it should be appreciated that the edge-lit material of the refractive light display may be any other suitable transparent or translucent materials such as glass. It should also be appreciated that the edge-lit material may be molded, extruded or otherwise suitably formed with the refractive surfaces (and with reflective surfaces, areas or portions as discussed below).
In one embodiment, the light source is controlled by a sub-processor and includes a plurality of lights such as LED's mounted around the edge of the edge-lit material to direct light into the edge-lit material. It should be appreciated that any type of suitable light source may be used to direct light into the edge-lit material. The light emitted from the lights travels through the edge-lit material and is refracted from or directed out of the edge-lit material. One or more different patterns, images or designs may be formed in the edge-lit material by the refractive surfaces to interact with the game functionality or provide additional game functionality. The light refracted from the surfaces interacts or co-acts with the symbols on the symbol display to indicate one or more symbols or awards on the display, or indicate the game state or game mode to the player such as an attract mode, an idle mode, a normal mode, a game play mode, a bonus mode, cashout mode, a credit roll-up mode, a jackpot mode or other hand pay modes, or player tracking modes.
Referring now to
In one embodiment illustrated in
A cylindrical support bracket 74 is mounted on the outer surface of the housing 65. The light source including a plurality of lights is attached to light panels 76 which are attached or secured to the support bracket 74. Each light panel 76 includes a plurality of electric circuits 77 that are embedded in the light panels. Each embedded electrical circuit controls one or more lights such as LED's 78. The LED's 78 extend through the housing 65 and are positioned along the outer edge of the refractive light display 60. The light panel 76, embedded electric circuits 77 and LED's 78 are powered by a suitable electrical power source (not shown). The power source provides power through the associated circuits 77 to the LED's 78. The LED's 78 illuminate and direct light into the edge of the edge-lit material 62 of the refractive light display 60 as described above. The light panels 76 are connected by suitable wires and are adapted to be controlled in one embodiment by a sub-processor (shown in FIG. 2). The sub-processor 61 controls the light source and lights which activate at a given time or during a given time period in a game. The sub-processor does this in coordination with the function of the game controlled by the processor 38.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Furthermore, different color lights can be used to generate different pattern colors. The different color light sources enable a game implementor to highlight or focus a player's attention to a particular section or area in a game, or to a particular game state or mode as described above. It should be appreciated that any color light and any combination of colors (displayed simultaneously, sequentially or alternately) may be used to illuminate the edge-lit material 62.
In another embodiment of the present invention, different color lights in the light sources are used to make a refractive light display appear as if it is rotating or moving in front of a player. The light sources direct the light into the refractive light display to create a visual movement effect. This effect is created by alternately illuminating different color lights adjacent to the display. The light source and the individual lights are controlled by a sub-processor of the gaming device in accordance with the play of the primary game or secondary game.
Referring to
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the functional refractive light display 60 remains stationary while the award wheel 64 rotates in a clockwise direction as shown by arrow 98. In another embodiment, the functional refractive light display 60 moves or rotates while the award wheel 64 remains stationary. It should be appreciated that the functional refractive light display 60 may rotate, the award wheel 64 may rotate, or both the refractive light display and award wheel may rotate simultaneously. It should also be appreciated that the functional refractive light display 60 and the award wheel 64 may rotate in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction or alternately rotate where the award wheel and the refractive light display rotate in the same direction or in opposite directions. It should also be appreciated that the color of light used to light the edge-lit material may change as the light source or retractive light display moves or rotates. In this embodiment, the functional refractive light display 60 is used in a game or bonus game to highlight or indicate an award on the award wheel 64. The award wheel 64 is rotated by a player or the gaming device. As the award wheel 64 rotates, the functional refractive light display 60 is illuminated in a particular color as desired by the game implementor. Once the award wheel 64 stops spinning, the removed section 96 of the functional refractive light display 60 indicates the award obtained by the player. In this example, the player obtained an award of two hundred fifty. The award of two hundred fifty is transferred to the total award display 100 as indicated.
In another embodiment, a symbol on the award wheel 64 is indicated by illuminating a single section on the award wheel. A single section can be illuminated by positioning one light source along one part of the award wheel. Therefore, the light source only directs light into the particular section that passes or rotates past the light source and only that section is illuminated on the award wheel. The award associated with the award symbol indicated or highlighted by the illuminated section when the award wheel stops spinning is the award that is provided to the player. It should be appreciated that the light source may be positioned adjacent to any section on the award wheel. It should also be appreciated that one or more sections may be illuminated at one time or that one or more colors of light may be used to illuminate one or more sections on the award wheel at a time.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the refractive light display has refractive surfaces that form the selections 101 as illustrated in FIG. 11. The award symbols 102 are displayed by the display device 30 or 32. In a game or bonus game using this embodiment, the gaming device illuminates the selections 101 and the total award display 100 with light from one or more light sources (not shown) positioned adjacent to the edge-lit material 62 in the refractive light display 60. The selections 101 and the total award display 100 may be illuminated with the same color light, different color lights or any combination desired by the game implementor. Preferably, the award symbols 102 are masked or hidden at the start of the game. The player is prompted to pick a selection 101 from the plurality of selections. After the player picks a selection 101, the gaming device illuminates that selection with a different color to indicate that the selection was picked by the player.
The player can be prompted by flashing the light or lights directed into the refractive light display so that the selections flash in front of the player. A message such as “Pick a Selection” may be formed with refractive surfaces and illuminated on a refractive light display. Furthermore, a message may be displayed on a display device 30 or 32 to prompt a player to pick a selection. Any of these methods of prompting a player to pick a selection or any combination of these methods may be used in a game or bonus game to prompt a player.
The picked selection may be illuminated with a different color by displaying a different color in the background of the picked selection, which is on the display device 30 or 32. The picked selection may also be illuminated or highlighted by including a reflective material as further discussed below. The different color light from the light used to illuminate the other selections is directed towards the surfaces having the reflective coating and is reflected into the picked selection to illuminate only that selection. It should be appreciated that one selection, a plurality of selections or all of the selections may be illuminated as described.
In a further embodiment, the award symbols 102 are letters or other symbols that are associated with an award. The selections 101 and associated award symbols 102 are formed with refractive surfaces in a refractive light display 60. Light is directed into the edge-lit material 62 of the refractive light display 60 and illuminates the refractive surfaces that form the selections 101 and award symbols 102. The selections 101 and award symbols 102 may be illuminated with the same color of light or different colors of light as desired by the game implementor. In this embodiment, a player picks a selection 101 associated with an award symbol 102 and receives the award associated with the picked award symbol. In one embodiment, the player uses a mechanical selector for picking the selections. A different color light is used to indicate that the player selected a particular selection and award symbol in a game or bonus game.
Furthermore, the award symbol 102 associated with the picked selection is revealed to the player. In one embodiment, the display device 30 or 32 displays the award symbol 102 associated with the picked selection. In another embodiment, the award symbols 102 are formed from refractive surfaces and are revealed by illuminating the refractive surfaces that form the award symbol associated with a picked selection. The award symbol 102 associated with the picked selection may be illuminated with the same color light or with a different color light. In one embodiment, the selections 101 and the award symbols 102 are formed from refractive surfaces in one refractive light display 60. The selections 101 and the award symbols 102 are refractive surfaces having a reflective material such as a reflective coating that reflects light into the selections such that one or more selections and associated award symbols may be illuminated at a particular time in a game. In another embodiment, the selections 101 are formed with refractive surfaces in one refractive light display and the award symbols 102 are formed with refractive surfaces in another adjacent refractive light display. It should be appreciated that a single refractive light display having multiple layers of edge-lit material, as illustrated in
After a player picks a selection 101 and obtains the associated award symbol 102, the award indicated by the award symbol is transferred to the total award display 100. The total award display 100 and associated total award 103 may be formed from refractive surfaces in a refractive light display or displayed on a display device 30 or 32. In one embodiment, the total award display 100 is formed with refractive surfaces and the total award 103 is displayed on a display device. In another embodiment, the total award display 100 is displayed on a display device and the total award 102 is formed with refractive surfaces. In other embodiments, any combination of refractive surfaces in a refractive light display or images displayed on a display device may be used to show the total award display and associated total award. It should be appreciated that any type of display associated with a game or bonus game such as a spin display or an award display may be formed with refractive surfaces in a refractive light display.
Referring now to
A light source 78 directs light 79 into an edge 84 of a piece of edge-lit material 62. The light travels through the edge-lit material and refracts from refractive surface 67a. The reflective layer 94 formed on refractive surface 67b reflects the light 79 that is traveling through the edge-lit material 62 instead of refracting it. Therefore, the light enters one or more sections 92 and remains in a particular section because the reflective material or coating of the reflective layer 94 reflects the light back into each section as shown in FIG. 12. The light does not pass through the reflective coating. Thus, a particular section or sections may be illuminated by refracting the same color or different color light out of each section. A single section may also be illuminated to highlight a particular part of a game or particular game mode in a gaming device. It should be appreciated that the reflective material or coating may be used to separate any type of areas, sections, segments or other components of a refractive light display having various sizes and shapes as desired by the game implementor. It should also be appreciated that a refractive light display may include two refractive surfaces where one of the surfaces is coated with a layer of reflective material as illustrated in FIG. 13. The light directed into the edge-lit material refracts out of the surface towards a player. Also, some of the refracted light refracts towards the reflective layer which reflects the light towards the player.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The reflective layers 94 can be used to separate and illuminate different areas or specific refractive surfaces on a refractive light display 60. In
In this example, the gaming device 10 illuminates a refractive square section 104 and corresponding refractive award value or award 106 during a game or bonus game. The gaming device illuminates a particular award or awards 106 by directing light into the edge-lit material that is adjacent to the section and award. The light reflects from any reflective layers 94 and illuminates the section and corresponding award. One side of a section, a plurality of sides in a section or any combination of side may include a reflective layer 94. In another embodiment, the sections 104 are selections that illuminate after a player selects a particular section. The different sections 104 may also be illuminated with different colors of light to highlight a particular section or award, or a particular game mode or function.
In another embodiment, a channeling effect is displayed to a player where the sections are alternately illuminated so that a section having an award appears as if it is moving across the display. By alternately illuminating each of the square sections 104 and corresponding awards 106, the gaming device creates the channeling effect where the numbers and squares alternately illuminate across the screen. The reflective layers 94 reflect the light and prevent the light from entering other sections or areas of the refractive light display 60. Thus, a single section or a plurality of sections 104 may be illuminated at a particular time or times in a game.
For example, the gaming device alternately illuminates the square sections 104 and awards 106 until stopping on a particular award. The award that remains illuminated when the channeling effect stops is the award provided to the player. It should be appreciated that the awards may also be displayed on the video display device 102 as well as on the square sections 104 are formed in the functional refractive light display 60. It should also be appreciated that the awards may be formed in the functional refractive light display 60 and the sections 104 alternately illuminated on the video display device 102. Other shapes and display devices may be used as desired by the game implementor.
It should be appreciated that although the present invention is described in relation to particular types of games and bonus games, the refractive light display 60 described above may be used in any type of games and bonus games including but not limited to, award wheel games, games with selection displays, games with symbol displays, offer and acceptance games, dice games and other types of base games or bonus games on gaming devices.
While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030064799 A1 | Apr 2003 | US |