SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED TRANSMISSIVITY OF LCD PANEL

• US 20100081502A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: RASMUSSEN, JAMES M., Chudek, Chris W., Lesley, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,502,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133538 with spatial distribution of the polarisation direction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

A gaming system includes a first display configured to display the random outcome of the wagering game, and a second display disposed to overlay at least a portion of the first display. The second display includes a transmissive liquid crystal display defining a transmissive window behind which a corresponding portion of the first display is positioned. The liquid crystal display further includes a polarizing film having a plurality of patterned features generally aligned with the transmissive window. The polarizing film is at least partially removed in the area of the patterned features to enhance transmissivity of the liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a first display configured to display the random outcome of the wagering game; and

a second display disposed to overlay at least a portion of the first display, the second display comprising a transmissive liquid crystal display defining a transmissive window behind which a corresponding portion of the first display is positioned, the liquid crystal display further comprising a polarizing film having a plurality of patterned features generally aligned with the transmissive window, the polarizing film being at least partially removed in the area of the patterned features to enhance transmissivity of the liquid crystal display.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the polarizing film is at least substantially removed in the area of the patterned features.

3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of patterned features form a halftone pattern across at least a portion of the transmissive window.

4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the halftone pattern comprises a checkerboard pattern of square patterned features, rectangular patterned features, or both square patterned features and rectangular patterned features.

5. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the patterned features comprise a one sub-pixel patterned feature or a two sub-pixel patterned feature.

6. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the patterned features comprise a patterned feature corresponding to a sub-pixel from a first pixel and an adjacent sub-pixel from a second pixel.

7. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein a plurality of the patterned features comprise an area smaller than a sub-pixel.

8. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the patterned features span a plurality of contiguous pixels.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the patterned features spanning the plurality of contiguous pixels form a shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or a rectangle.

10. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein a spacing between the patterned features is a multiple of a dimension of the patterned features.

11. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the patterned features comprise an area and position corresponding to an array of pixels.

12. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system comprising:

receiving a wager;

generating a random outcome for the wagering game;

displaying the random outcome on a first display;

displaying a video image on a transmissive window of a transmissive liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal display overlaying the first display; and

transmitting light through patterned features in a polarization film of the transmissive window irrespective of a state of a liquid crystal in the liquid crystal display.

13. A liquid crystal display comprising:

a first substrate bearing a first polarizing film;

a second substrate bearing a second polarizing film;

a liquid crystal disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and

a backlight disposed behind the first polarizing film, the backlight having an opening therein defining a transmissive window;

wherein at least one of the first polarizing film and the second polarizing film comprises a plurality of patterned features formed in an area corresponding to the transmissive window, the polarizing film being removed in at least a portion of the area of the patterned feature to enhance transmissivity of the liquid crystal display in the transmissive window.

14. The liquid crystal display of claim 13, wherein the plurality of patterned features form a halftone pattern across at least a portion of the transmissive window.

15. The liquid crystal display of claim 14, wherein the halftone pattern comprises a checkerboard pattern of square patterned features, rectangular patterned features, or both square patterned features and rectangular patterned features.

16. The liquid crystal display of claim 13, wherein at least some of the patterned features comprise a one sub-pixel patterned feature or a two sub-pixel patterned feature.

17. The liquid crystal display of claim 13, wherein at least some of the patterned features comprise a patterned feature corresponding to a sub-pixel from a first pixel and an adjacent sub-pixel from a second pixel.

18. The liquid crystal display of claim 13, wherein a plurality of the patterned features comprise an area smaller than a sub-pixel.

19. The liquid crystal display of claim 13, wherein at least some of the patterned features span a plurality of contiguous pixels.

20. The liquid crystal display of claim 14, wherein the patterned features spanning the plurality of contiguous pixels form a shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or a rectangle.

21. A gaming system comprising:

a first display configured to display the random outcome of the wagering game; and

a second display overlaying at least a portion of the first display, the second display comprising a transmissive liquid crystal display defining at least one transmissive window behind which a corresponding portion of the first display is positioned, the second display including a first surface area having a first degree of transmissivity and a second surface area having a second degree of transmissivity different from the first degree of transmissivity, the first area being different from the second area.

22. The gaming system of claim 21, wherein the first surface area has a glossy finish and the second surface area has a matte finish.

23. The gaming system of claim 22, wherein the first surface area corresponds to and is aligned with the area of the at least one transmissive window.

24. The gaming system of claim 21, wherein the first surface area comprises a pixel arrangement different than a pixel arrangement of the second area.

25. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the first surface area corresponds to and is aligned with the area of the at least one transmissive window.