Modular Visual Output Component

• US 20080242408A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Inventors: Hwang, John Shi Feng
• Granted Patent: US 8,075,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• 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

In a first aspect there is provided a modular visual output component for a gaming machine, including a housing, at least one visual output device, an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device, and an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector. The input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration with the modular visual output components abutting one another, whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source.

Claims

1. A modular visual output component for a gaming machine, comprising:

a housing;

at least one visual output device;

an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device; and

an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector, the input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration with the modular visual output components abutting one another, whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source.

2. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input and output connectors are at opposite surfaces of the housing.

3. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the input and output connectors is a plug and the other is a socket.

4. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 1, further arranged to be part of a vertical stack of modular visual output components.

5. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 4, wherein each at least one visual output device comprises a light source.

6. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is controllable and the input connector is adapted to receive a control signal for the light source.

7. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 6, wherein the input and output connectors are coupled such that a control signal for the light source of a further modular visual output component can be passed from the input to the output connector.

8. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 6, wherein the light source is operable to output at least two colours of light.

9. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control signal specifies at least the colour to be output.

10. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one visual output device comprises a display.

11. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first visual output device in the form of a display and a second visual output device in the form of at least one light source.

12. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 10, the input connector is adapted to receive a control signal for the display.

13. A modular visual output component as claimed in claim 10, the input and output connectors are coupled such that a control signal for a display of a further modular visual output component can be passed from the input to the output connector.

14. A visual output apparatus for a gaming machine comprising:

at least one modular visual output component, each comprising;

a housing;

at least one visual output device;

an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device; and

an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector, the input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source; and

a controller arranged to supply control signals for each at least one visual output device to an input connector of one modular visual output component.

15. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 14, comprising a plurality of modular visual output components connected to one another in abutting relation.

16. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 14, comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components.

17. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a base unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modular visual output components.

18. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 14, comprising an intermediate trim component between each adjoining modular visual output component.

19. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 14, comprising a cover member for covering at least the output connector of a modular visual output component furthest from the base unit.

20. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the controller is programmable to specify the number of modular visual output components connected to the controller.

21. A visual output kit for a gaming machine comprising:

at least one modular visual output component each comprising;

a housing;

at least one visual output device;

an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device; and

an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector, the input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source; and

a controller adapted to supply control signals for each at least one visual output device to an input connector of one modular visual output component.

22. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 21, comprising a plurality of modular visual output components adapted to be connected to one another in abutting relation.

23. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 21, comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components.

24. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a base unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modular visual output components.

25. A visual output kit as claimed in 21, comprising one or more intermediate trim components adapted to be placed between each adjoining modular visual output component.

26. A visual output component for a gaming machine comprising:

a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion through which light may emitted from the housing;

a display; and

a light source positioned within the housing at a position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through at least part of the at least one light transmissive portion.

27. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, wherein the display is a reflective display and the light source is positioned to illuminate a front of the display.

28. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, wherein the display is a transmissive display and the light source is positioned to illuminate a rear of the display.

29. A visual output component as claimed in claim 28, wherein the light source is positioned between the display and a reflector located within the housing, such that light emitted from the light source is reflected from the reflector to at least partially illuminate the display.

30. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, wherein the display is mounted within a recess in the housing.

31. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, wherein the housing has a substantially circular section except where the display is mounted.

32. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical and comprises circular upper and lower support members with the light transmissive portion mounted therebetween.

33. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, wherein the at least one light transmissive portion comprises a lens.

34. A visual output component as claimed in claim 26, comprising an input connector accessible in the region of the lower support member and an output connector accessible in the region of the upper support member.

35. A visual output component as claimed in claim 34, comprising a transverse circuit board is mounted within the housing and the connectors are mounted to the transverse circuit board.

36. A visual output component as claimed in claim 35, wherein the transverse circuit board is arranged to carry at least some control signals from the input connector to the output connector.

37. A visual output apparatus for a gaming machine comprising:

at least one visual output component, each visual output component comprising;

a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion through which light may emitted from the housing;

a display; and

a light source positioned within the housing at a position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through at least part of emitted through the at least one light transmissive portion;

a controller adapted to supply control signals for each display and each light source to an input connector of one modular visual output component.

38. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 37 comprising a plurality of modular visual output components connected to one another in abutting relation.

39. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 37, comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components.

40. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 37, further comprising a base unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modular visual output components.

41. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 37, comprising an intermediate trim component between each adjoining modular visual output component.

42. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 37, comprising a cover member for covering at least the output connector of a modular visual output component furthest from the base unit.

43. A visual output apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the controller is programmable to specify the number of modular visual output components connected to the controller.

44. A visual output kit for a gaming machine comprising:

at least one visual output component, each visual output component comprising;

a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion through which light may emitted from the housing;

a display; and

a light source positioned within the housing at a position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through at least part of emitted through the at least one light transmissive portion; and

a controller adapted to supply control signals for each display and each light source to an input connector of one modular visual output component.

45. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 44, comprising a plurality of modular visual output components connected to one another in abutting relation.

46. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 44, comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components.

47. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 44, further comprising a base unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modular visual output components.

48. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 44, comprising one or more intermediate trim components adapted to be placed between each adjoining modular visual output component.

49. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 44, comprising a cover member for covering at least the output connector of a modular visual output component furthest from the base unit.

50. A visual output kit as claimed in claim 44, wherein the controller is programmable to specify the number of modular visual output components connected to the controller.