U.S. patent application number 11/361066 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for rotatable video display and display method for a gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Multimedia Games, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph R. Enzminger.
Application Number | 20060142080 11/361066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36316997 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060142080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Enzminger; Joseph R. |
June 29, 2006 |
Rotatable video display and display method for a gaming machine
Abstract
An apparatus includes a support structure mounted for rotation
within a gaming machine cabinet. A display device is mounted on the
support structure. The support structure may, for example, comprise
a support structure for a reel of a reel-type gaming machine, and
the display device may be mounted so that the device makes up at
least a portion of the reel peripheral curved surface. In this
position, the video display may display one or more of the reel
symbols for the reel. A processing device is mounted in the gaming
machine cabinet separate from the support structure, so that the
processing device does not rotate with the support structure as the
support structure rotates in the gaming machine cabinet. A
communication path is provided between the processing device and
the display device so that data and/or control instructions, that
is, display operation information, may be communicated for use in
controlling the operation of the display device. A wireless
communication link is included in the communication path between
the processing device and the display device.
Inventors: |
Enzminger; Joseph R.;
(Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CULBERTSON GROUP, P.C.
1114 LOST CREEK BLVD.
SUITE 420
AUSTIN
TX
78746
US
|
Assignee: |
Multimedia Games, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36316997 |
Appl. No.: |
11/361066 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10985362 |
Nov 10, 2004 |
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11361066 |
Feb 23, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G07F 17/3213 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/030 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. An apparatus including: (a) a first support structure mounted
for rotation within a gaming machine cabinet; (b) a first display
device mounted on the first support structure; (c) a processing
device mounted in the gaming machine cabinet separate from the
first support structure; and (d) a first wireless communication
link in a communication path between the processing device and the
first display device for communicating first display operation
information for use in controlling graphics produced by the first
display device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a first video
processor mounted on the first support structure for receiving the
first display operation information and for producing video input
signals for the first display device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wireless
communication link is a radio frequency communication link.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first wireless
communication link also communicates addressing information
specific to the first display device and wherein the first display
operation information is associated with the addressing information
specific to the first display device.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first display operation
information is communicated in the form of a TCP/IP communication
across the first wireless communication link.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 further including: (a) a second support
structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet;
(b) a second display device mounted on the second support
structure; and (c) a second wireless communication link in a
communication path between the processing device and the second
display device for communicating second display operation
information for use in controlling graphics produced by the second
display device.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second display operation
information is communicated in the form of a TCP/IP communication
across the second wireless communication link.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first wireless
communication path is between a first wireless receiver mounted on
the first support structure and a wireless transmitter, and wherein
the second wireless communication path is between a second wireless
receiver mounted on the second support structure and the wireless
transmitter.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an additional display
device mounted on the first support structure, and wherein the
first wireless communication link also communicates additional
display operation information for use in controlling graphics
produced by the additional display device.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication
link is an optical communication link.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the optical communication
link includes a light path aligned with an axis of rotation of the
first support structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 further including: (a) a second
support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine
cabinet; (b) a second display device mounted on the second support
structure; and (c) a second wireless communication link in a
communication path between the processing device and the second
display device for communicating second display operation
information for use in controlling graphics produced by the second
display device.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: (a) the first wireless
communication link includes a first wireless transmitter mounted in
a first fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet for
transmitting to a first wireless receiver mounted on the first
support structure; and (b) the second wireless communication link
includes a second wireless transmitter mounted in a second fixed
position in the gaming machine cabinet for transmitting to a second
wireless receiver mounted on the second support structure.
14. An apparatus including: (a) a first support structure mounted
for rotation within a gaming machine cabinet; (b) a first display
device mounted on the first support structure; (c) a first wireless
transmitter mounted in a first fixed position in the gaming machine
cabinet; (d) a processing device mounted in the gaming machine
cabinet and operatively connected to the first wireless transmitter
to control the transmission of first display operation information
from the first wireless transmitter, the first display operation
information for use in controlling graphics produced by the first
display device; and (e) a first wireless receiver mounted on the
first support structure for receiving the first display operation
information transmitted from the first wireless transmitter and
directing the first display operation information for use in
controlling the graphics produced by the first display device.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further including: (a) a second
support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine
cabinet; (b) a second display device mounted on the second support
structure; and (c) a second wireless receiver mounted on the second
support structure for receiving second display operation
information transmitted from the first wireless transmitter and
directing the second display operation information on for use in
controlling the graphics produced by the second display device, and
(d) wherein the processing device also controls the transmission of
the second display operation information from the first wireless
transmitter.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 further including: (a) a second
support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine
cabinet; (b) a second display device mounted on the second support
structure; (c) a second wireless transmitter mounted in a second
fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet; and (d) a second
wireless receiver mounted on the second support structure for
receiving second display operation information transmitted from the
second wireless transmitter and directing the second display
operation information on for use in controlling the graphics
produced by the second display device, and (e) wherein the
processing device is also operatively connected to the second
wireless transmitter to control the transmission of the second
display operation information from the second wireless
transmitter.
17. A method including: (a) generating first display operation
information, the first display operation information for use in
controlling graphics produced by a first display device; (b)
transmitting the first display operation information over a first
wireless transmission path from a first transmission point within a
gaming machine cabinet; and (c) receiving the first display
operation information at a first receiving point within the gaming
machine cabinet separated from the first transmission point along
the first wireless transmission path.
18. The method of claim 17 further including: (a) generating second
display operation information, the second display operation
information for use in controlling graphics produced by a second
display device; (b) transmitting the second display operation
information over a second wireless transmission path from the first
transmission point within a gaming machine cabinet; and (c)
receiving the second display operation information at a second
receiving point within the gaming machine cabinet separated from
the first transmission point along the second wireless transmission
path.
19. The method of claim 17 further including: (a) generating second
display operation information, the second display operation
information for use in controlling graphics produced by a second
display device; (b) transmitting the second display operation
information over a second wireless transmission path from a second
transmission point within the gaming machine cabinet, the second
transmission point being spaced apart from the first transmission
point; and (c) receiving the second display operation information
at a second receiving point within the gaming machine cabinet
separated from the second transmission point along the second
wireless transmission path.
20. The method of claim 17 further including moving the first
receiving device about a first rotational axis while the first
display operation information is being received at the first
receiving device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/985,362, filed Nov. 10, 2004, and entitled
"Curved Surface Display for a Gaming Machine." This application is
also related to PCT International Application PCT/US05/40770, filed
Nov. 10, 2005, of the same title. The inventor claims priority from
both of these prior applications under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120. The
entire content of each of these applications is incorporated herein
by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to gaming machine displays. More
particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus and methods
for games in which a player may view images being displayed on a
rotatable structure such as, for example, a rotatable reel in a
reel-type gaming machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traditional mechanical slot machines include three or more
reels rotatably mounted on a common axis. Each reel has a number of
symbols spaced apart around its periphery. The symbols may be
pictures of bells, bars, fruit, or any number of other symbols to
suit a particular theme for the slot machine. When the reels are at
rest, they define a matrix of reel symbol locations. For example, a
traditional three-reel, reel-type gaming machine may display a
three-by-three matrix of symbol locations when the three reels are
at rest, each reel showing a column of three symbols each.
Mechanical reel gaming machines may also include a separate reel
for each symbol location. For example, a common reel arrangement
includes nine separate reels, one reel for each symbol location in
a three-by-three matrix of symbol locations with each reel oriented
to rotate about an axis lying in a plane in common with the axis of
each other reel.
[0004] Regardless of how the matrix of symbol locations is produced
in a mechanical reel gaming machine, one or more lines of symbol
locations are defined through the matrix of symbol locations. These
lines of symbol locations are commonly referred to as "paylines."
For example, a payline in the three-reel gaming machine mentioned
above may have five different paylines, one line for each
horizontal row of symbol locations in the three-by-three matrix of
symbol locations, and one line for each diagonal through the symbol
locations. In the play of one of these reel-type gaming machines, a
player makes a wager for a given payline, and then pulls a handle
or actuates some other control on the gaming machine to cause the
reels to rotate. The reel symbols that line up along the respective
payline when the reels stop rotating represent a result for that
payline. Typically, a number of combinations of symbols along a
payline are defined as winning combinations, and any other
combination of symbols along a payline represents a losing
combination. Each gaming machine usually provides a pay table that
illustrates the various winning combinations of reel symbols and
indicates the prize associated with each winning combination.
[0005] Early mechanical reel gaming machines relied on the
randomness resulting from rotating and then stopping the reels to
determine the results for a given play at the gaming machine. In
more recent mechanical reel gaming machines, a result for a given
play of the game is generated by a random result generator
associated with the gaming machine and each reel may be forced to
stop rotating at the appropriate position to show the proper set of
reel symbols along the payline for that result. A result for a
given play in a mechanical reel gaming machine may also be
identified from a lottery record selected at the gaming machine or
at another device in communication with the gaming machine, and the
reels may be caused to stop so as to show reel symbols along a
given payline that are consistent with the lottery result. A result
to be displayed in a mechanical reel-type gaming machine may also
be obtained from a bingo game, or from some other result generating
arrangement.
[0006] The reels in a typical mechanical reel gaming machine are
located in a cabinet behind a glass plate with the reel symbols on
the periphery of the reels facing the player position in front of
the gaming machine. The glass plate defines one or more windows
through which the various reel symbol positions are visible to the
player. The mechanical structure that allows the reels to rotate
and the control structure for driving and stopping the reels are
usually hidden within the gaming machine cabinet.
[0007] Mechanical reel gaming machines present a number of
problems. For example, a mechanical reel gaming machine is prone to
break down due to the mechanical nature of the device. In addition,
mechanical reel-type machines do not offer an easy way to change
the appearance of the gaming machine. For these reasons and others,
gaming machine manufacturers have developed video reel-type gaming
machines in which a video display device such as a CRT device is
operated to display a representation of rotating reels. These
electronic versions of reel-type gaming machines offer flexibility
in modifying reel indicia and reduce the number of mechanical
components in the mechanical reel-type gaming machines. However,
among other problems, prior video gaming machines that imitate
mechanical reel-type gaming machines may not look realistic
depending upon the quality of the video display and the graphics
processing arrangement associated with the gaming machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides apparatus and methods for
displaying results in a gaming machine in which at least a portion
of a result is shown with a device that rotates with respect to the
gaming machine cabinet, such as a reel in a reel-type gaming
machine, for example. In particular, the present invention provides
apparatus and methods for producing realistic mechanical reel
presentations while achieving the flexibility of video reel-type
presentations.
[0009] One preferred apparatus embodying principles of the
invention includes a support structure mounted for rotation within
a gaming machine cabinet. A display device is mounted on the
support structure. The support structure may, for example, comprise
a support structure for a reel of a reel-type gaming machine, and
the display device may be mounted so that the device makes up at
least a portion of the reel peripheral surface. In this position,
the video display may display one or more of the reel symbols for
the reel. A processing device is mounted in the gaming machine
cabinet separate from the support structure, so that the processing
device does not rotate with the support structure as the support
structure rotates in the gaming machine cabinet. A communication
path is provided between the processing device and the display
device so that data and/or control instructions, that is, display
operation information, may be communicated for use in controlling
the operation of the display device. According to the invention, a
wireless communication link is included in the communication path
between the processing device and the display device. By employing
the wireless communication link to transmit the display operation
information to the rotatable display device, the display device may
be controlled to change graphic images and produce animations while
the support structure is rotating within the gaming machine
cabinet, and without having to rely on a mechanical slip ring
arrangement for communicating data/control instructions for the
display device.
[0010] The wireless communication link employed according to the
invention may use any suitable type of wireless technology. For
example, the wireless communication link may utilize radio
frequency (RF) transmissions. Alternatively, the wireless
communication link may utilize transmissions by visible or
non-visible light (optical transmissions), such as infrared light
transmissions for example.
[0011] Certain elements may be described as "stationary" or "fixed"
in the present disclosure and accompanying claims. For example, a
processing device or transmitter/receiver may be described as being
stationary or fixed. The terms "stationary" and "fixed" in this
sense means that the respective element is not adapted to rotate
with a rotatable support structure supporting a display device.
Various communications links or transmission paths may also be
referenced in describing the present invention. As used below and
in the accompanying claims, a "wireless communication link" refers
to a wireless communication arrangement that facilitates the
wireless transmission of information (data and/or instructions)
from a transmitting device to a receiving device. A "communication
path" refers to an arrangement which facilitates the communication
of data and/or instructions from a first device to a second device,
and may include one or more path segments. The data and/or
instructions may change forms one or more times over a given
communication path, or may result in a sequence of communications
that ultimately affects the operation of the second device. Also, a
"wireless transmission path" refers to a path in which
transmissions travel from a wireless transmitter to a wireless
receiver.
[0012] One preferred method embodying the principles of the present
invention includes generating display operation information to be
used in controlling graphics produced by a display device. This
display operation information is transmitted over a wireless
transmission path from a transmission point within a gaming machine
cabinet. This method also includes receiving the display operation
information at a receiving point within the gaming machine cabinet.
The receiving point is separated from the transmission point along
the wireless transmission path so that the devices used to transmit
the display operation information and the device used to receive
the information may be mounted on separate structures in the gaming
machine cabinet. In particular, the transmitter may be mounted in a
fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet and the receiver may
be mounted on a structure that is adapted to rotate with respect to
the gaming machine cabinet, such as a gaming machine reel structure
or wheel structure.
[0013] These and other advantages and features of the invention
will be apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a representation of portions of a reel-type gaming
machine according to one form of the present invention, the gaming
machine including three rotatable reels.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another type of
rotatable reel for a reel-type gaming machine embodying principles
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet another type of reel for
a reel-type gaming machine within the scope of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a gaming method that
may be employed according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing
display control information according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of one preferred
arrangement for a wireless communication link to the reel-mounted
display devices.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a mostly diagrammatic side view of a rotatable
reel according to one form of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternate
preferred arrangement for the wireless communication links employed
in the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic front view of a rotatable reel and
infrared wireless communications link that may be used in
embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows rotatable three reels 100 for a reel-type
gaming machine according to principles of the present invention.
Each of the three reels 100 is shown with a display device 102 such
as a flexible liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic
light-emitting diode (OLED) display mounted so as to serve as a
portion of the curved surface 104 making up the periphery of the
respective reel. Each of the displays 102 is illustrated displaying
a symbol. A first one of the displays 102 shows the symbol "X," a
second one of the displays shows the symbol "Y," and a third one of
the displays shows the symbol "Z." It should be appreciated that
the displays 102 may display symbols other than the illustrated
symbols. For example, the symbols displayed by the display devices
102 may be symbols such as bells, cherries, bars, or any other
images suitable for use as reel symbols in reel-type gaming
machines. Although not shown in FIG. 1 to simplify the drawing, it
will be appreciated that in addition to displays 102, various
static symbols are portrayed at different locations along the
peripheral curved surface 104 of each respective reel 100. These
static symbols, together with the respective display 102, form a
generally continuous set of symbol locations along the respective
peripheral surface 104. In addition to reels 100, FIG. 1 also shows
a processing (CPU) 110 for the reel-type gaming machine in which
reels 100 are included. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 also
includes a dedicated graphics processor 112 interposed between CPU
110 and displays 102 for producing the instructions and signals
necessary to cause displays 102 to produce the desired
graphics.
[0024] Those familiar with reel-type gaming machines will
appreciate that reels 100, the structure supporting the reels for
rotation and related elements, CPU 110, graphics processing device
112, and other components of the gaming machine are mounted in a
gaming machine cabinet. The precise form of the gaming machine
cabinet is not necessary for an understanding of the present
invention and thus the gaming machine cabinet itself is omitted
from the drawings.
[0025] Each reel 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a support structure
which ultimately functions to support the elements making up
peripheral surface 104. The support structure of each reel is
mounted for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet and allows
the peripheral surface 104 to rotate about the rotational axis of
the reel. The invention is not limited to any particular rotatable
support structure or arrangement for supporting the support
structure for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet. As will
be described further below in connection with FIG. 6, one preferred
support structure includes an axle or hub with a number of spokes
which support a backing or frame. This backing or frame in turn
supports either a reel film which provides static graphics for the
reel, or one or more display devices such as display device
102.
[0026] When a player activates a gaming machine in which reels 100
are included, either by pulling a lever, pushing a "PLAY" button,
or operating some other activating device (not shown in the
figures), reels 100 are caused to rotate about their common axis A
in FIG. 1. There are many alternate arrangements that may be used
in a gaming machine to cause reels such as reels 100 to rotate, and
then ultimately stop so that various symbols shown on the
peripheral surface 104 of each reel align along one or more
paylines defined for the gaming machine. These reel driving and
control arrangements form no part of the present invention, and are
thus not described here in detail. However, it will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art of reel-type gaming machines that a
suitable reel driving arrangement may include a mechanical linkage
(not shown) between a player actuating lever and the reels.
Alternatively, reels may be caused to rotate by one or more motors
(not shown) preferably operated under the control of a CPU 110 or
some other suitable controller. Any suitable arrangement may be
used to cause the rotating reels to stop and thereby show the
results of a play of the gaming machine by the reel symbols aligned
along one or more paylines through the displayed reel symbol
locations.
[0027] According to the present invention, one or more processing
devices such as CPU 110, or the CPU combined with one or more
dedicated graphics processors such as processor 112 drive each of
the displays 102. In one preferred embodiment, a main processing
device such as CPU 110 cooperates with a separate graphics
processor 112 for each display 102 or for each of a number of
groups of displays 102. Such a separate graphics processor may be
located externally to the respective rotatable reel 100, or
internally to the respective reel. That is, the graphics processor
that controls the graphics produced by a respective display 102 may
be mounted on the rotatable reel 100 on which the respective
display is mounted, or may be mounted in a stationary position in
the gaming machine cabinet. Regardless of whether the images
displayed on displays 102 are controlled through a single main
processing device such as CPU 110 or the CPU in cooperation with
one or more dedicated graphics processors, the image or symbol
displayed at each display 102 may include continuous or
intermittent animations or may change or remain constant during the
course of a play at the gaming machine including reels 100.
[0028] It will be appreciated from the above description that
display operation information must ultimately be communicated to
the reel-mounted displays 102 from a device mounted in a stationary
position in the gaming machine cabinet, that is, a device mounted
separately from rotatable reels 100. In order to accommodate the
communication of display operation information to a respective
reel-mounted display 102, the present invention includes a wireless
communication link in a communication path to the respective
reel-mounted display. Examples of preferred wireless communication
links will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.
This wireless communication of display operation information for
the reel-mounted displays 102 eliminates the need for a mechanical
arrangement such as a slip ring for communicating display operation
information to the reel-mounted displays. However, a slip ring or
other suitable mechanical arrangement may still be included in an
apparatus according to the invention to enable operating power to
be supplied to displays 102 and other electrical components mounted
on the rotatable reels.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a single display 102 on each reel 100, with the
display spanning only a single reel symbol location. Other forms of
the invention may include a display that is sufficiently long to
span two or more adjacent symbol locations about the peripheral
surface of the respective reel. Each such location on a longer
single display may be driven to show a separate symbol, or a single
symbol may span two or more symbol locations.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, an alternate arrangement according to
the invention may include a rotatable reel 200 having multiple
distinct displays 202. Although two adjacent displays 202 are shown
in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the multiple distinct
displays 202 may be spaced apart at different locations around the
peripheral surface of reel 200. As with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 omits the
standard static graphic symbols located at locations of the reel
peripheral surface not occupied by displays 202. Also, as described
above in connection with displays 102, displays 202 are driven or
controlled through a suitable processing arrangement to display
various animated or non-animated symbols, and to change the
displayed symbols in any way desired during the course of a game
play or over the course of multiple game plays at a gaming machine
including reel 200.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows yet another type of reel 300 according to the
invention for use in a reel-type gaming machine. In the embodiment
of FIG. 3, reel 300 includes a curved display 302 extending around
the entire peripheral, cylindrical reel surface. It will be
appreciated that in this form of the invention, display 302 must be
driven or controlled to provide or show the desired symbol (if any)
at each symbol location on the peripheral surface of reel 300. As
in the embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 1, curved
display 302 on reel 300 may be driven or controlled by any suitable
processing device or combination of processing devices to display
the desired graphics in the course of a play in reel-type game, or
between game plays. As with the previously described displays 102
and 202, display operation information for use in controlling the
operation of display 302 is communicated to the display through a
wireless communication link.
[0032] It should be noted that displays 102, 202, and 302 shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, are shown with a certain
thickness. This display thickness is exaggerated for purposes of
illustration and clarity in the drawings. It will be appreciated
that an actual display device that may be employed according to the
invention may have a lesser or greater thickness relative to the
size of the respective reel. Displays 102, 202, and 302, are also
each shown as curved displays in which the display surface actually
matches the curvature of the peripheral surface of the reel, or
actually forms the entire peripheral surface in the case of display
302. Although these curved displays are preferred in order to
better match the traditional appearance of a reel-type gaming
machine, the invention is not limited to use with curved display
devices. Rather, a display for use on a reel of a reel-type gaming
machine according to the present invention may be a flat display.
For example, each symbol location on a reel may comprise a flat
surface so that the entire peripheral surface of the reel forms a
polygon in side view. Also, it should be noted that the wireless
communication arrangement according to the invention is not limited
to reel-type gaming machines, but has application to any gaming
machine in which a display device is mounted on a structure that is
adapted to rotate with respect to the gaming machine cabinet. For
example, a display may be mounted on a wheel which is adapted to be
rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the
display surface. In this example, a wireless communication link
according to the invention may be used to communicate display
operation information for use in controlling the operation of the
wheel-mounted display device.
[0033] The flow diagram of FIG. 4 illustrates a gaming method
embodying principles according to the present invention that may be
performed in a gaming machine using any of the reels shown in FIGS.
1 through 3. At process block 402 a player enters a wager via a
suitable interface at the gaming machine and initiates a play at
the gaming machine by pulling a handle associated with the machine,
or pressing a button, or activating some other input device at the
gaming machine. At process block 406, the gaming machine may
control the display or displays 102, 202, or 302 to show or produce
the desired symbol at the reel symbol location or locations
encompassed by the respective display. Ultimately, the gaming
machine displays a result for the game play as indicated at process
block 407. The result in a reel-type game for example is displayed
through a series of symbols arranged along a payline of the gaming
machine. This series of symbols correlates to a result for the
play. A symbol shown on a rotatable display according to the
invention may be included on a payline for the gaming machine and
thus help show a result to the player. After the gaming machine
displays the result of the game play as indicated at process block
407 the process loops back to process block 402 for the next game
cycle. The sequence of steps shown in FIG. 4 repeats for each game
cycle.
[0034] It will be noted that displays 102, 202, and 302 each
provide an opportunity for producing interesting effects and/or
interesting game characteristics at a gaming machine using such
displays. As one example, the symbol presented or shown by one of
the displays at any given reel location may be animated, rather
than static. Also, it is possible for the symbol to be changed
during the course of play. For example, a non-winning series of
symbols may initially be displayed as a game result, and then one
or more symbols along a payline may change to show a winning series
of symbols for the play result.
[0035] The step of controlling the display device or devices shown
at process block 406 in FIG. 4 may be performed in a number of
fashions within the scope of the present invention. The flow
diagram of FIG. 5 may be used to describe one process for
controlling a display device mounted on rotatable structure within
a gaming machine. As indicated at process block 501, the display
operation information is first generated by a suitable device
mounted in a stationary position in the gaming machine cabinet,
separate from the reel on which the respective display device is
mounted. As indicated at process block 502, this display operation
information is then transmitted over a wireless transmission path
by a suitable transmitting device. Example transmitting devices
will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9. The
transmitted display operation information is received as indicated
at process block 503. This reception is performed by a suitable
receiving device such as the receiving devices described below in
connection with FIGS. 6 through 9. Finally, the display operation
information is used to cause the display device or devices to
produce the desired graphics as shown at process block 504.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows one preferred arrangement for wireless
transmission of display operation information from fixed devices
mounted in a gaming machine cabinet to video display control
devices mounted on rotatable reels associated with the gaming
machine. The stationary components shown in FIG. 6 include a CPU
601 which corresponds to the gaming machine CPU 110 shown in FIG. 1
and described above. A radio frequency transmitter/receiver (RF
TX/RX) 603 is also mounted in a stationary fashion within the
gaming machine cabinet along with an interface 602 between the CPU
and radio frequency transmitter/receiver. CPU 601 communicates with
interface 602 across a suitable transmission line or bus 604 and
interface 602 communicates with RF transmitter/receiver 603 across
a suitable transmission line 605. CPU 601 is thus operatively
connected to RF transmitter/receiver 603 to control the
transmission of display operation information from that RF
transmitter/receiver.
[0037] FIG. 6 assumes that there are three rotatable reels
associated with the gaming machine, although the reels themselves
and the gaming machine are not shown due to the block format of the
figure. Each of the rotatable reels includes one or more video
displays such as the displays described above in connection with
FIGS. 1 through 3. Each rotatable reel includes a respective reel
graphics controller which receives display operation information
via wireless communication from radio RF transmitter/receiver 603,
and ultimately uses that information to drive the respective
display or displays mounted on that particular reel. In particular,
a first reel graphics controller 606 is associated with the first
rotatable reel on the gaming machine, a second reel graphics
controller 607 is associated with a second rotatable reel, and the
third reel graphics controller 608 is associated with the third
rotatable reel associated with the gaming machine. In this
preferred implementation, all of the reel graphics controllers are
identical, each including a video processor 610, random access
memory 611 and 612, a transmitter/receiver interface 614, and RF
transmitter/receiver 615. In each respective reel graphics
controller 606, 607, and 608, the respective video processor 610
ultimately operates to produce video input signals for driving a
respective video display device such as display device 102 shown in
FIG. 1, display device 202 shown in FIG. 2, or display device 302
shown in FIG. 3. Each respective RF transmitter/receiver 615
operates to direct the respective display operation information to
the respective video processor 610 for use in controlling the
operation of the respective display device.
[0038] It will be noted that in the arrangement shown in FIG. 6,
only power for the reel mounted electronic components is supplied
through a mechanical arrangement. That is, although display
operation information is communicated to the reel-mounted
components via the wireless communication link provided by RF
transmitter/receiver 603 and RF transmitter/receiver 615, a
mechanical arrangement such as suitable slip ring allows operating
power to be supplied to the reel-mounted electronic devices on the
respective reel as the reels rotate with respect to the gaming
machine cabinet. Although not shown in FIG. 6, it will be
appreciated that various power supply filters or conditioning
electronics may be included with the reel graphics controllers to
eliminate any power fluctuations occasioned by the slip ring
arrangement.
[0039] The invention is not limited to any particular type of bus
or transmission line 604 or communication connection 605 between
interface 602 and RF transmitter/receiver 603. One convenient
implementation employs an ethernet adapter as the interface 602
which communicates with CPU 601 across a suitable bus such as a PCI
bus. Communications between interface 602 and RF
transmitter/receiver 603 may comprise ethernet communications. In
this arrangement, RF transmitter/receiver 603 may comprise a
wireless ethernet hub or switch that may communicate to the various
reel mounted electronic devices through a suitable communications
protocol such as TCP/IP. This communications arrangement allows the
single RF transmitter/receiver 603 to communicate respective
display operation information to reel-mounted electronics on each
of the reels. Display operation information for a particular one of
the reel graphics controllers, for example controller 606, may be
addressed to that controller through the communications protocol
while display operation information for another one of the reel
graphics controllers 607 or 608 may be addressed to that respective
controller through the communications protocol. For example, each
reel graphics controller may be assigned a respective static or
dynamic IP address to facilitate addressing the respective
controllers. Any suitable wireless communications protocol may be
employed for the RF communications across the wireless transmission
path between RF transmitter/receiver 603 and the respective RF
transmitter/receiver 615. For example, the wireless communications
may be provided in accordance with IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, or
802.11g.
[0040] As with the stationery cabinet-mounted electronics, any
suitable connections may be used between the reel mounted RF
transmitter/receiver 615, its respective interface 614, and
respective video processor 610. One convenient implementation
integrates the interface 614 and RF transmitter/receiver 615
similarly to a PC card or PCI card wireless network adapter, and a
PC bus or PCI bus is provided for communications with video
processor 610.
[0041] Each reel graphics controller 606, 607, and 608 preferably
includes sufficient random access memory 611 and 612 to provide a
suitable frame buffer and also to store video image related data at
the respective reel graphics controller. It will be appreciated
that video image related data may be stored in other types of
memory rather than random access memory 611 and 612. For example
rather than random access memory 611 and 612, or in addition to
this random access memory, a respective reel graphics controller
may include a flash memory device or other nonvolatile memory for
storing video image related data.
[0042] Despite the addressing arrangements that may be used to
allow the single RF transmitter/receiver 603 to communicate with
each of the reel graphics controllers 606, 607, and 608 shown in
FIG. 6, additional steps may be required in order to prevent
crosstalk, interference, or inadvertent communications from the RF
transmitter/receiver 603 to reel graphics controllers that may be
located in adjacent gaming machines. Various arrangements may be
employed to prevent such crosstalk or interference. One preferred
arrangement for reducing the possibility of interference from RF
transmitter/receiver 603 to reel graphics controllers in adjacent
gaming machines utilizes a directional transmission arrangement.
The directional transmission and reception range for RF
transmitter/receiver 603 may be limited so that the device does not
transmit signals at significant power levels in the direction of an
adjacent gaming machine. For example, RF transmitter/receiver 603
may be mounted in the gaming machine cabinet above and in back of
the reel structures, with the antenna associated with the
transmitter/receiver pointing directly toward the three reels of
the gaming machine and limited to a transmission and reception
range of approximately 120 degrees about a centerline for the
gaming machine. In addition to limiting RF transmitter/receiver 603
to directional transmissions aimed at the three reels for the
respective gaming machine, the transmission power may be limited to
help avoid the possibility of receiving the transmissions at
another gaming machine. Also, shielding may be employed in the
gaming machine cabinet to help block RF transmissions from
transmitter/receiver 603.
[0043] It should be noted in the example of FIG. 6 that the path
that extends from CPU 601 ultimately to a respective video display
comprises a "communication path" as used in this disclosure and the
accompanying claims. The combination of RF transmitter/receiver 603
and a respective RF transmitter/receiver 615 provide a "wireless
communication link" as used herein, and the transmission path from
RF transmitter/receiver 603 and a respective RF
transmitter/receiver 615 represents a "wireless transmission
path."
[0044] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of a rotatable
reel 701 that may support one or more curved video displays
according to the present invention. Although not shown in FIG. 7,
the curved video displays would be supported about a peripheral
backing/frame portion 704 of reel 701. The illustrated reel 701
includes a support structure that includes a hub or axle 702 and
support members (spokes) 703 which extend from the axle or hub to
the peripheral backing/frame 704. A reel graphics controller 705
which may correspond to one of the graphics controllers 606, 607,
or 608 shown in FIG. 6 may be mounted conveniently on one of the
support members 703. It may be necessary to add a counter balance
706 on another one of the support members 703 in order to balance
the reel for rotation on the axle 702. It will be appreciated that
some rotatable reels according to the invention may have a
sufficient number of video displays to require one or more
additional reel graphics controllers 705. Any additional reel
graphics controller 705 may be supported in any suitable fashion,
such as on a respective reel support member 703. Additional
counterbalancing may be required in order to balance reel 701.
Although not shown in FIG. 7, electrical connections are required
from reel graphics controller 705 to the display device or devices
(not shown) mounted on the peripheral backing/frame 704. Also, a
slip ring (not shown) associated with axle or hub 702 facilitates
the transfer of operating power for reel graphics controller 705,
and this power must be communicated from the axle or hub to the
controller 705 through a suitable power connection. The slip ring
and power connections to reel graphics controller 705 are omitted
from FIG. 7 in order to simplify the drawing.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows an alternate arrangement for wireless
communications from fixed components in the gaming machine cabinet
to reel-mounted electronics according to the present invention. As
with FIG. 6, FIG. 8 omits the reels themselves and structural
elements of the gaming machine. The alternate arrangement shown in
FIG. 8 employs infrared (IR) transmissions rather than RF
transmissions as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6. The stationery,
cabinet-mounted components for this alternate arrangement shown in
FIG. 8 include the CPU 800 which may correspond to CPU 110 shown in
FIG. 1. CPU 800 communicates instructions to three separate
arrangements of an interface 802 and IR transmitter/receiver 803,
one interface and transmitter/receiver pair for each of the three
reels included in the gaming machine. Each respective IR
transmitter/receiver 803 is adapted to communicate with a
particular one of three reel graphics controllers shown in FIG. 8,
namely reel graphics controllers 806, 807, or 808.
[0046] The reel-mounted components for the embodiment shown FIG. 8
are similar to those for the reel-mounted components shown in FIG.
6. However, rather than a RF transmitter/receiver, each reel
graphics controller shown FIG. 8 includes an IR
transmitter/receiver 815. An interface 814 provides an interface
between transmitter/receiver 815 and video processor 810, and
random access memory 811 and 812 provide memory for the operation
of the video processor and perhaps for long-term storage of video
image related data. As in the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, only the
power for operating the reel-mounted devices is provided through a
slip ring associated with the respective reel. All display
operation information is preferably transmitted in a wireless
fashion using the IR transmitters/receivers 803 and 815.
[0047] Numerous different types of buses 801 may be used for
communications between CPU 800 and the interfaces 802. One
convenient implementation employs a suitable standard such as PCI
bus for bus 801. Each interface 802 provides an interface between
this bus and IR transmitter/receiver 803. Similarly to the
arrangement shown in FIG. 6, any suitable communications standards
and protocols may be employed for communications between the
respective IR transmitter/receiver 803 and IR transmitter/receiver
815, and between IR transmitter/receiver 815, interface 814, and
video processor 810.
[0048] FIG. 9 provides a diagrammatic representation of a reel 900
and a preferred arrangement for facilitating the infrared
communications described in connection with FIG. 8 for the center
reel, that is, the reel sandwiched between other reels. First real
900 is mounted on an axle 902 that is supported within the gaming
machine cabinet. The respective IR transmitter/receiver 815 is
associated with axle 902 with the transmitting and receiving
elements 903 mounted concentrically within axle 902 and facing
outwardly. IR transmitter/receiver 803 is mounted to transmit along
a line that is perpendicular to axle 902 and that intersects the
longitudinal axis of the axle. A mirror 904 allows infrared signals
communicated from IR transmitter/receiver 803 to be directed to the
receiving elements associated with 903. Rather than the arrangement
shown in FIG. 9, the outer reels may, of course, include the IR
transmitter/receiver 803 in line with the particular reel axis.
[0049] It will be noted that the arrangements shown in FIGS. 6 and
8 allow communications to and from the reel-mounted components.
However, other forms of the invention may only allow one-way
communications from the gaming machine main processor (701, 801) to
the reel-mounted graphics controllers.
[0050] The present invention encompasses numerous variations on the
specific example structures described above in connection with
FIGS. 6 through 9. For example, although the RF wireless
communication arrangement shown in FIG. 6 operates in a broadcast
mode in which a single RF transmitter/receiver 603 transmits to
several different reel-mounted transmitter/receivers 615, a
respective stationary transmitter/receiver may be included for
transmissions to a respective reel-mounted transmitter/receiver.
Also, although each reel-mounted transmitter/receiver 615 and 815
is shown incorporated with the respective reel graphics controller,
these transmitters/receivers along with their respective interface
may be separate from the respective reel graphics controller.
Furthermore, optical communication links are not limited to
infrared links, but may use any suitable wavelength(s) of
light.
[0051] As used herein, whether in the above description or the
following claims, the terms "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing,""involving," and the like are to be
understood to be open-ended, that is, to mean including but not
limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and
"consisting essentially of," respectively, shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, as set forth, with respect to
claims, in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent
Examining Procedures (Eighth Edition, August 2001 as revised May
2004), Section 2111.03.
[0052] Use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third,"
etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself
connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element
over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are
performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim
element having a certain name from another element having a same
name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim
elements.
[0053] The above described preferred embodiments are intended to
illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the
scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications
to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *