U.S. patent application number 12/065750 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for wagering game system with waveguide projection display.
This patent application is currently assigned to WMS GAMING INC.. Invention is credited to James M. Rasmussen.
Application Number | 20080248852 12/065750 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37836554 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080248852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rasmussen; James M. |
October 9, 2008 |
Wagering Game System with Waveguide Projection Display
Abstract
A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module
comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to
conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and
a wedge waveguide display assembly. In one embodiment, the wedge
waveguide display assembly comprises a projector operable to
project an image and a wedge waveguide assembly operable to reflect
the projected image at least twice before the projected image
becomes visible on an image screen region of the wedge waveguide
display assembly.
Inventors: |
Rasmussen; James M.;
(Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/WMS GAMING
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
WMS GAMING INC.
|
Family ID: |
37836554 |
Appl. No.: |
12/065750 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
September 11, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US06/35185 |
371 Date: |
March 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60715521 |
Sep 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 ; 463/20;
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 ; 463/25;
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A computerized wagering game system, comprising: a gaming module
comprising gaming code which is operable when executed to present a
wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and a wedge
waveguide display assembly, comprising a projector operable to
project an image and a wedge waveguide operable to reflect the
projected image at least twice before the projected image becomes
visible on a image screen region of the wedge waveguide display
assembly.
2. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the
projector comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display
projector, a digital micromirror device projector, a laser
projector, or a liquid crystal on silicon projector.
3. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the
wedge waveguide comprises two mirrors.
4. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the
wedge waveguide comprises a wedge-shaped element made of optically
transparent material.
5. The computerized wagering game system of claim 4, wherein the
optically transparent material has an index of refraction greater
than the index of refraction of air.
6. The computerized wagering game system of claim 5, wherein wedge
waveguide is operable to project an image onto the image screen
region of the folded projection display assembly by internally
reflecting the projected image such that the projected image
strikes the image screen portion of the wedge waveguide at an angle
greater than the critical angle of the wedge waveguide.
7. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the
image screen region is a curved section configured to simulate a
mechanical reel.
8. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the
wedge waveguide display comprises at least one of a main display, a
top box display, and a supplemental media display.
9. A method of operating a computerized wagering game system,
comprising: presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value
can be wagered; and projecting an image via a projector through a
wedge waveguide display assembly operable to reflect the projected
image at least twice in a wedge waveguide element before the image
becomes visible on a image screen region of the wedge waveguide
display assembly.
10. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 1, wherein the projector comprises at least one of a liquid
crystal display projector, a digital micromirror device projector,
a laser projector, or a liquid crystal on silicon projector.
11. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 1, wherein the wedge waveguide comprises two mirrors.
12. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 1, wherein the wedge waveguide comprises a wedge-shaped
element made of optically transparent material.
13. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 12, wherein the optically transparent material has an index
of refraction greater than the index of refraction of air.
14. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 13, wherein wedge waveguide is operable to project an image
onto the image screen region of the folded projection display
assembly by internally reflecting the projected image such that the
projected image strikes the image screen portion of the wedge
waveguide at an angle greater than the critical angle of the wedge
waveguide.
15. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 1, wherein the image screen region is a curved section
configured to simulate a mechanical reel.
16. The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of
claim 1, wherein the wedge waveguide display comprises at least one
of a main display, a top box display, and a supplemental media
display.
17. A computerized wagering game machine, comprising: a wedge
waveguide projector display assembly configured to present a
wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered by
internally reflecting a projected image in a wedge waveguide
element having an index of refraction greater than the index of
refraction of air, such that the projected image strikes an image
screen portion of the wedge waveguide at an angle greater than the
critical angle of the wedge waveguide and becomes visible to a
wagering game player.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/715,521, filed Sep. 9, 2005,
the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material to which the claim of copyright protection is made. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
any person of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office file or records,
but reserves all other rights whatsoever. Copyright 2005, 2006 WMS
Gaming, Inc.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates generally to computerized wagering
game machines, and more specifically to computerized wagering game
machines employing waveguide projection displays.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Computerized wagering games have largely replaced
traditional mechanical wagering game machines such as slot
machines, and are rapidly being adopted to implement computerized
versions of games that are traditionally played live such as poker
and blackjack. These computerized games provide many benefits to
the game owner and to the gambler, including greater reliability
than can be achieved with a mechanical game or human dealer, more
variety, sound, and animation in presentation of a game, and a
lower overall cost of production and management.
[0005] The elements of computerized wagering game systems are in
many ways the same as the elements in the mechanical and table game
counterparts in that they must be fair, they must provide
sufficient feedback to the game player to make the game fun to
play, and they must meet a variety of gaming regulations to ensure
that both the machine owner and gamer are honest and fairly treated
in implementing the game. Further, they must provide a gaming
experience that is at least as attractive as the older mechanical
gaming machine experience to the gamer, to ensure success in a
competitive gaming market.
[0006] Computerized wagering games do not rely on the dealer or
other game players to facilitate game play and to provide an
entertaining game playing environment, but rely upon the
presentation of the game and environment generated by the wagering
game machine itself. Incorporation of audio and video features into
wagering games to present the wagering game, to provide help, and
to enhance the environment presented are therefore important
elements in the attractiveness and commercial success of a
computerized wagering game system. It is not uncommon for audio
voices to provide instruction and help, and to provide commentary
on the wagering game being played. Music and environmental effects
are also played through speakers in some wagering game systems to
enhance or complement a theme of the wagering game. These sounds
typically accompany video presentation of the wagering game on a
screen, which itself often includes animation, video, and
three-dimensional graphics as part of presentation of the wagering
game.
[0007] The displays were traditionally cathode ray tubes, or CRTs
much like those used in standard televisions. But recently, CRT
displays have given way to liquid crystal displays as the most
common type of display used in new wagering game machines. While
CRTs provided very good brightness and color fidelity, they were
relatively large, heavy, fragile, and consumed a relatively large
amount of power. LCD displays have limited brightness and contrast
capabilities, and backlighting a large LCD display evenly and
achieving accurate color fidelity are difficult. Other options
include plasma displays, which have the color fidelity of CRTs and
a small size similar to LCDs, but the contrast ratio, power
consumed, and production cost are all inferior to other display
technologies. These traditional display technologies are also not
easily integrated with mechanical elements such as reels on a
mechanical reel slot machine, limiting practical application to
traditional rectangular opaque displays. Further, the complicated
processes used to produce these displays results displays that
become very expensive as size increases from several inches to
several feet diagonal.
[0008] It is therefore desired to incorporate display technology
into a wagering game system addressing the shortcomings of existing
displays.
SUMMARY
[0009] One example embodiment of the invention comprises a
computerized wagering game system including a gaming module
comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to
present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and
a wedge waveguide display assembly. In one embodiment, the wedge
waveguide display assembly comprises a projector operable to
project an image and a wedge waveguide assembly operable to reflect
the projected image at least twice before the projected image
becomes visible on an image screen region of the wedge waveguide
display assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a computerized wagering game machine, as may be
used to practice some example embodiments of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows projected light rays in a waveguide, consistent
with some example embodiments of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a projector and a wedge waveguide, consistent
with some example embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a wedge waveguide assembly having a collimating
lens, consistent with some example embodiments of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a folded wedge waveguide assembly using a
curved waveguide, consistent with some example embodiments of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a folded wedge waveguide assembly using prisms
mounted in a wagering game cabinet, consistent with some example
embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the following detailed description of example embodiments
of the invention, reference is made to specific examples by way of
drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and serve to illustrate how the invention may be
applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments of
the invention exist and are within the scope of the invention, and
logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made
without departing from the subject or scope of the present
invention.
[0017] Features or limitations of various embodiments of the
invention described herein, however essential to the example
embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the
invention as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its
elements, operation, and application do not limit the invention as
a whole but serve only to define these example embodiments. The
following detailed description does not, therefore, limit the scope
of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims.
[0018] The invention in one example embodiment comprises a
computerized wagering game system including a gaming module
comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to
present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and
a wedge waveguide display assembly. In one embodiment, the display
comprises a projector operable to project an image and a wedge
waveguide operable to reflect the projected image at least twice
before the projected image becomes visible on an image screen
region of the wedge waveguide display assembly.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a computerized wagering game machine
system, as may be used to practice various embodiments of the
present invention. The computerized gaming system shown generally
at 100 is a video wagering game system, which displays information
for at least one wagering game upon which monetary value can be
wagered on video display 101. Video display 101 is in various
embodiments a CRT display, a plasma display, an LCD display, a
field emission display, or any other type of display suitable for
displaying electronically provided display information. Further
embodiments include alternate or additional displays, such as a
second display located above the primary display, or other displays
coupled to the wagering game system. Alternate embodiments of the
invention will have other game indicators, such as mechanical reels
instead of the video graphics reels shown at 102 that comprise a
part of a video slot machine wagering game.
[0020] A wagering game is implemented using software within the
system, such as through instructions stored on a machine-readable
medium such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory. In some
further example embodiments, some or all of the software stored in
the wagering game machine is encrypted or is verified using a hash
algorithm or encryption algorithm to ensure its authenticity and to
verify that it has not been altered. The game of chance implemented
via the loaded software takes various forms in different wagering
game machines, including such well-known wagering games as reel
slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, or hold 'em games.
The wagering game is played and controlled with inputs such as
various buttons 103 or via a touchscreen overlay to video screen
101. In some alternate examples, other devices such as pull arm 104
used to initiate reel spin in this reel slot machine example are
employed to provide other input interfaces to the game player.
[0021] Monetary value is typically wagered on the outcome of the
games, such as with tokens, coins, bills, or cards that hold
monetary value. The wagered value is conveyed to the machine
through a changer 105 or a secure user identification module
interface 106, and winnings are returned via the returned value
card or through the coin tray 107. Sound is also provided through
speakers 108, typically including audio indicators of game play,
such as reel spins, credit bang-ups, and environmental or other
sound effects or music to provide entertainment consistent with a
theme of the computerized wagering game. In some further
embodiments, the wagering game machine is coupled to a network, and
is operable to use its network connection to receive wagering game
data, track players and monetary value associated with a player,
and to perform other such functions. In some such embodiments, the
wagering game machine serves to present a wagering game implemented
or conducted on another computer, such as where the wagering game
system is a handheld terminal or is a device such as a PDA or cell
phone provided by the game player. In other examples, the wagering
game system is operable to download wagering games from the
wagering game system, or the wagering game system is operable to
coordinate community gaming among multiple wagering game
machines.
[0022] The display 101 is in one embodiment a wedge waveguide
projection display, utilizing an image projector and a wedge
waveguide utilizing internal reflection to reflect the image onto
an image portion of the wedge waveguide element. The wedge
waveguide in some embodiments comprises mirrors or other reflective
material, but in alternate embodiments uses a waveguide material
having an index of refraction greater than that of air, and the
principle of internal reflection for light hitting a surface of
such a material at an angle greater than a critical angle combined
with a wedge-shaped waveguide contour to reflect a projected image
until the critical angle is passed and the image projects from an
image screen portion of the waveguide.
[0023] This principle of internal reflection is illustrated more
fully in FIG. 2, which shows an optical waveguide medium 201 in
air, where the optical waveguide has an index of refraction greater
than the index of refraction of air. The index of refraction is the
amount by which light is slowed relative to the speed of light in a
vacuum, although the speed if light in air is nearly as fast,
yielding an index of refraction of 1.0003. Common transparent
materials have higher indices of refraction, such as glass, which
typically has an index of refraction of 1.5-1.9, meaning light
travels through glass at a speed 1.5-1.9 times slower than through
a vacuum.
[0024] When light travels from a material having a higher index of
refraction to a material having a lower index of refraction, the
light changes direction such that the angle between the light's
direction and a line perpendicular to the interface between the two
materials is increased. This is shown by the light ray 202, which
shows both how a light ray leaving the high index of refraction
material 201 into a medium with a lower index of refraction such as
air changes direction such that it is at a greater angle to a line
perpendicular to the interface between material 201 and the air,
and how a light ray traveling the opposite direction from the air
into the high index of refraction material 201 changes direction
such that the light is refracted to a path having a smaller angle
with a line perpendicular to the interface between materials.
[0025] The angle at which the light is refracted can be calculated
using Snell's law, which simply states that for two materials 1 and
2 having indexes of refraction n1 and n2, the angle of refraction
of light traveling through the interface can be calculated by the
formula:
n1*sin(a1)=n2*sin(a2)
[0026] where the angles a1 and a2 are the angles of the light's
path in the respective mediums 1 and 2 relative to the line
perpendicular to the interface between the two materials. If one
angle is known and the indices of refraction of the two materials
are known, the angle of the light's travel in the other medium can
be calculated using the Snell's Law formula.
[0027] When the angle of the light beam 202 traveling through the
high index of refraction material 201 hits the interface with a
material having a lower index of refraction, the light ray doesn't
leave the high index material 201 but is completely internally
reflected as shown at 203 when the light strikes the interface at
the critical angle ac shown at 204 or at an angle greater than the
critical angle. The critical angle is based on the index of
refraction of the two materials, and can be calculated using the
formula:
sin(ac)=n2/n1
[0028] where n1 is the index of refraction of the material 201 and
n2 is the index of refraction of the lower index material such as
air. The light is reflected off the interface between materials at
the same angle at which it strikes the interface, which enables
technologies such as fiber optic cables to internally reflect light
repeatedly over very long distances in materials having good
optical transparency.
[0029] This principle is also used in some embodiments of the wedge
waveguide to repeatedly internally reflect a projected image, until
the wedge shape of the waveguide causes the image to eventually
strike an image portion of the wedge waveguide at an angle smaller
than the critical angle and leave the wedge waveguide. This is
illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows a simple version of a wedge
waveguide display as can be used in some example wagering game
system embodiments.
[0030] A projector 301 projects an image such as the details of a
wagering game being presented in a wagering game device containing
a wedge waveguide projection display. The image is projected into
the wider end of the wedge-shaped waveguide 302, such that the
image reflects between the wedge waveguide's edge as shown at 303
at an angle from perpendicular that is greater than the critical
angle, resulting in complete internal reflection of the projected
image. But, because the waveguide is wedge-shaped, the angle of
incidence with the waveguide edges does not remain constant from
reflection to reflection, but becomes progressively smaller as is
shown by the image ray shown at 303.
[0031] As the angle of the reflected image becomes smaller relative
to the lines perpendicular to the sides of the wedge-shaped
waveguide, the reflected image eventually hits a waveguide edge at
an anger lower than the critical angle, and is projected from the
waveguide. In the wedge waveguide projection display shown in FIG.
3, this occurs in the screen or image portion of the waveguide 304,
which results in the projected image becoming visible through that
portion of the wedge waveguide.
[0032] In a further embodiment, a projection screen as shown at 304
is attached to the waveguide at the image screen portion of the
waveguide. The projection screen is in some such embodiments
configured to receive the light ray 303 projected from the wedge
waveguide at the angle shown in FIG. 3, and to disperse or re-focus
the light so that it is visible over a broader range of angles or
at an angle different than that shown by the image light ray 303
exiting the wedge waveguide. Examples of such projection screens
include diffraction gratings, Fresnel lenses, and frosted or
rough-surfaced screens such as are commonly used for rear
projection.
[0033] In a further embodiment, the wedge waveguide is interrupted
by one or more lenses, as is shown in FIG. 3. The projector 401
projects an image through the first waveguide portion 402 and into
image screen portion 403, but the waveguide portions 402 and 403
are separated by a collimating lens 404. The projected image
spreads wider as it projects farther from the projector, as shown
at 405. To prevent the image from continuing to spread wider across
the face of the image screen portion 403 of the wedge waveguide
display assembly, a collimating lens 404 is used once the image has
spread to the appropriate width for the image screen portion 403 to
collimate the image, or to refocus the projected image so that it
doesn't continue to spread wider as it progresses further away from
the projector.
[0034] This lens is in some embodiments therefore designed in
conjunction with the specific lens characteristics of the projector
401, so that the rate of image spreading from the projector can be
properly compensated in the collimating lens 404 to ensure that the
image projected from the collimating lens doesn't converge or
diverge. The collimating lens is in various embodiments located
between parts of the wedge waveguide or incorporated into the wedge
waveguide. The collimating lens is in some embodiments incorporated
into the wedge display assembly with no air gap between the first
waveguide portion 402 and the image screen portion 403, such as by
using a collimating lens having a significantly higher index of
refraction than the wedge waveguide material.
[0035] The various elements shown, including the wedge waveguide,
the image screen, the collimating lens, the projector, and other
such elements can be configured in a variety of combinations and
physical configurations in various embodiments. For example, FIG. 5
shows a curved wedge waveguide projection display assembly,
illustrating one example of a change in physical configuration of
the components in a wedge waveguide projection display. The
projector 501 projects an image into the wide end of the folded
wedge waveguide 502, which receives the image and reflects it
internally much like the flat wedge waveguide 302 of FIG. 3, except
that the waveguide is curved and the reflected image's path curves
along with the wedge waveguide before becoming a visible image
projected from image screen area 503 of the folded wedge
waveguide.
[0036] Another embodiment uses folded prisms having mirrored
external surfaces to replace the fold portion of the folded wedge
waveguide 502 of FIG. 5, resulting in an even flatter "folded"
wedge waveguide configuration. Such a wedge waveguide is shown in
FIG. 6, which also shows how such a display can be incorporated
into a wagering game cabinet such as that of FIG. 1. The wagering
game cabinet 601 contains a projector 602 and a folded wedge
waveguide 603. The waveguide 604 is folded, and uses prisms 604 to
reflect the image around the corner and toward the image screen
portion 605 of the waveguide.
[0037] The folded wedge waveguide is in some embodiments fixed in
place using mechanical means, such as brackets, adhesive, bolts or
other fasteners, or other such means. The image screen portion 605
is configured to be visible from the exterior of the wagering game
cabinet 601, in a position designed for the wagering game player to
easily view the presented images. Other embodiments include use of
a folded wedge display in other positions within the wagering game
cabinet, such as in a secondary display configuration, in a side
display or other display configuration, or in a separate enclosure
such as a top-box coupled to the wagering game cabinet.
[0038] The examples presented here show how a waveguide having at
least a portion shaped as a wedge can be used in wagering game
systems to display information such as to present a wagering game,
to present video or multimedia, or to produce other visible images
from a projector. The projector need not be located a great
distance from the image screen or configured to project an image
directly perpendicular to an image screen, as is the case with
traditional image projection technology.
[0039] Although specific embodiments of such wagering game systems
and methods of use have been illustrated and described herein, it
will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any
arrangement or method which is calculated to achieve the same
purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments described.
This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations
of the example embodiments of the invention described herein, and
it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims
and the full scope of equivalents thereof.
* * * * *