Programmable computer controlled external visual indicator for gaming machine

• US 20060121967A1
• Filed: 12/06/2001
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Game Technology
• Original Assignee: International Game Technology
• Inventors: Paulsen, Craig A., Crozier, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,390,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects

Abstract

An improved external visual indicator such as a candle is provided for a gaming machine having lights such as LEDs which are programmable via a processor of the gaming machine. The reprogrammability of the illumination sequence and colors of the candle may provide for the promotion of bonusing and to aid in the servicing of gaming machines. Any assortment of colors of LEDs and combinations thereof may be provided and programmed via the processor of the gaming machine.

Claims

1-59. -59. (canceled)

73. (canceled)

74. A method of operating a gaming machine, which comprises:

providing a processor to control selected machine operations;

providing a candle mounted on the gaming machine and having at least a first stage;

said candle not requiring removable colored plastic inserts for changing the color that is displayed;

providing a plurality of first colored LEDs within said first stage;

programming the processor to operate one or more of the colored LEDs within said stage to provide a selected color illumination pattern upon occurrence of a selected event of the gaming machine;

connecting the processor to the candle to enable the processor to trigger one or more of the colored LEDs within said stage to provide a selected color illumination pattern upon occurrence of said selected event;

whereby triggering one or more of the colored LEDs within said stage provides color change of the candle stage, without requiring the use or removal or insertion of a colored plastic insert within the candle stage for changing the color that is displayed.

60. The method of claim 74 wherein the illumination pattern is multi-colored.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the multi-colored illumination pattern is produced by a single LED.

62. The method of claim 74 wherein at least two stages have colored LEDs that are triggered to provide a multi-colored illumination pattern.

63. The method of claim 74 further comprising a second event and a second illumination pattern and upon occurrence of the second event, triggering the LEDs of at least one stage to provide the second illumination pattern.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of:

triggering the LEDs of a first stage upon occurrence of the first event and triggering the LEDs of a second stage upon occurrence of the second event.

65. The method of claim 62 further comprising the steps of:

programming an operation sequence including the first and second events; and

triggering the operation sequence in order to display the first illumination pattern upon occurrence of the first event and the second illumination pattern upon occurrence of the second event.

66. The method of claim 74 further comprising the steps of:

programming the processor to trigger a color illumination upon the occurrence of a second event; and

triggering the LEDs of at least one stage to provide the color illumination.

67. The method of claim 74 wherein the triggering occurs automatically upon occurrence of the first event.

68. The method of claim 74 wherein the LEDs include at least one of a red, yellow or green colored LED.

69. The method of claim 74 further comprising the steps of:

controlling the processor via a network or computer system that is coupled to multiple gaming machines.

70. The method of claim 74 wherein the first event includes one of a jackpot, bonus round, currency needed or special player present situation.

71. The method of claim 74 further comprising the steps of:

coordinating the processor with the gaming machine play functions in order to sense the first event;

signaling an I/O interface;

signaling a coding buffer system;

signaling a pulse width modulator; and

controlling a current driver in order to control the LEDs according to the multi-colored illumination pattern.

72. The method of claim 74 wherein a user input panel is provided by the gaming machine and the method further comprising the steps of:

selecting the illumination pattern via the user input panel; and

selecting the first event to trigger the illumination pattern, via the user input panel.

75. A method of operating a gaming machine, which comprises:

providing a processor to control selected machine operations;

providing a candle mounted on the gaming machine and having at least a first stage and a second stage;

said candle not requiring removable colored plastic inserts for changing the color that is displayed;

providing a plurality of first colored LEDs within said first stage;

providing a plurality of second colored LEDs within said second stage;

programming the processor to operate one or more of the colored LEDs within at least one said stage to provide a selected color illumination pattern upon occurrence of a selected event of the gaming machine;

connecting the processor to the candle to enable the processor to trigger one or more of the colored LEDs within at least one said stage to provide a selected color illumination pattern upon occurrence of said selected event;

whereby triggering one or more of the colored LEDs within said at least one stage provides color change of the candle stage, without requiring the use or removal or insertion of a colored plastic insert within the candle stage for changing the color that is displayed.

76. A gaming machine which comprises:

a processor for controlling selected machine operations;

a candle mounted on said gaming machine and having at least a first stage;

said candle being adapted for displaying various colors;

said candle not requiring removable color plastic inserts for changing the color that is displayed;

a plurality of first colored LEDs within said first stage;

said processor being operable to trigger one or more of the colored LEDs within said stage to provide a selected color illumination pattern upon occurrence of a selected event; and

whereby triggering one or more of the colored LEDs within said stage provides color change of the candle stage, without requiring the use or removal or insertion of a colored plastic insert within a candle stage for changing the color that is displayed.

77. A gaming machine as defined in claim 76, in which said candle includes a second stage, a plurality of second colored LEDs within said second stage, with the processor being operable to trigger one or more of the colored LEDs within at least said first or second stage to provide a selected color illumination pattern upon occurrence of a selected event.