Patent Application
20200118383
The present invention relates to electronic gaming devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to gaming devices configurable in a sawtooth or ‘Z’-shaped geometric arrangement.
Traditional gaming devices are commonly designed and deployed for use in parallel (e.g., side-by-side or back to back) or standalone configurations. Such known configurations poorly utilize space in an area where the gaming devices are located and/or provide for uncomfortable or cramped operating conditions for users and others walking through the area. Conventional gaming devices and configurations also provide limited display presentation capabilities of visual content presented on the devices electronic display screen—often times requiring a person to be directly in front of the gaming machine(s) in order to fully see such visual content. Traditional gaming machines and machine configurations also tend to result in the formation of generic grid-type arrangements across a floor of a gaming venue with such formations being characterized by long linear rows or aisles. Such standard arrangements can create an institutional and uninviting atmosphere to gaming patrons and can further be difficult to traverse and/or locate games of potential interest.
Since gaming machines are usually made available for play on a revenue generating basis for a gaming establishment or operator it is generally desirable to develop and provide features or capabilities which will encourage and promote play. Accordingly, designers of gaming machines continually strive to develop variations and improvements of gaming technology which can provide a more comfortable and engaging atmosphere for players so that players will be motivated to play the games, continue playing the games and/or want to return to play certain games again in the future. In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improved systems and methods for providing new and innovative configurations of gaming machines to sustain player interest and create an innovative gaming atmosphere.
While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.
According to embodiments presented herein, the main display screens 26 can be positionable parallel to one another as shown in
It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the orientation of the main display screens 26 relative the secondary display screen 24 and/or control console 30 can be varied in any number of respects. For example, such configurations and orientations can include, but are not limited to, one or both of the main display screens 26 and/or the secondary display screen 24 being provided in either a portrait or landscape orientation. Additionally, the secondary display screen 24 according to embodiments presented herein can be narrower than the main display screens 26 by having a width that is less than the width of the main display screens 26. It will be further understood that the length (or height) of the main display screens 26 can be substantially the same as secondary display screen 24 or be alternatively sized (either larger/smaller) as desired. It will be further understood, that although
According to embodiments presented herein, control console 30 can include a control array to enable a plater to initiate and control game content displayed on the main display screen 26. For example, the control console 30 can receive user input to initiate display of the game content on the main display screen 26 of an associated one or more gaming machines or devices 22, and additional visual content can be displayed on the secondary display screen 24 alongside the main display 26. According to embodiments presented herein, the secondary display screen 24 can be electronically isolated from the gaming machines and main display screens 26 with visual content on the secondary display screen 24 being controlled separately from the gaming machines such as to visually present information or content from the gaming venue or advertising/promotional material. Alternatively, secondary display 24 can be electronically integrated or coupled to the gaming devices and configured to display visual content associated with games being played on the devices 22.
Additional configurations of gaming system 20A having additional gaming machines or device 22 are contemplated. For example,
Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows described above do not require the particular order described or sequential order to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/666,853 filed Oct. 16, 2018 entitled “CONFIGURATION OF ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SCREENS FOR GAMING MACHINES,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference as if set forth fully herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29666853 | Oct 2018 | US |
| Child | 16243339 | US |
