METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITHIN A GAMING MACHINE

• US 20100117544A1
• Filed: 11/12/2008
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Powell, Gene Elvin, Woodard, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,506,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/152
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light

Abstract

A gaming machine includes a main door coupled to a main cabinet and a controller positioned within the main cabinet, wherein the controller includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit wireless control signals. The gaming machine also includes a display board coupled to the main door, wherein the display board includes a plurality of light devices and a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless transmitter, and wherein the wireless signals are representative of control commands for the plurality of light devices.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a main door coupled to a main cabinet;

a controller positioned within said main cabinet, said controller comprising a wireless transmitter configured to transmit wireless control signals; and

a display board coupled to said main door, said display board comprising a plurality of light devices and a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signals from said wireless transmitter, wherein the wireless signals are representative of control commands for said plurality of light devices.

2. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to emit IR signals representative of control commands for said plurality of light devices.

3. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein said wireless receiver comprises an IR receiver configured to receive IR signals emitted by said IR transmitter.

4. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display board further comprises a processor coupled to said wireless receiver and to said plurality of light devices, said processor controls said plurality of light devices based on wireless signals received by said wireless receiver.

5. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 4, wherein said controller is configured to encode wireless signals, said wireless transmitter is configured to transmit encoded wireless signals, said wireless receiver is configured to receive encoded wireless signals and transmit encoded wireless signals to said processor, said processor is configured to decode encoded wireless signals.

6. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wireless signals include at least one of on/off pulses for activating said plurality of light devices, a color combination for display to a player of said gaming machine by said plurality of light devices, and a pattern for display to the player by said plurality of light devices.

7. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of light devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED).

8. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display board is configured to receive power through a hinge that couples said main door to said main cabinet.

9. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of lighting devices are configured to power off due to lack of communication with said controller when said main door is opened.

10. A method of operating a gaming machine display, said method comprising:

transmitting a control signal from a wireless transmitter coupled to a gaming machine controller to a wireless receiver coupled to a display board, wherein the display board is coupled to a main door of the gaming machine; and

controlling operation of a plurality of light devices of the display board based on the control signal received by the wireless receiver.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the wireless transmitter is an infrared (IR) transmitter, and wherein transmitting a control signal comprises transmitting an IR control signal from the IR transmitter.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the wireless receiver is an IR receiver, said method further comprising receiving the IR control signal by the IR receiver.

13. A method in accordance claim 10, further comprising encoding the control signal by the gaming machine controller and transmitting the encoded signal from the gaming machine controller to the wireless transmitter.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the display board includes a processor coupled to the wireless receiver and the plurality of light devices, said method further comprising:

receiving the encoded control signal;

transmitting the control signal from the wireless receiver to the processor; and

decoding the control signal.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein controlling operation of the plurality of light devices comprises at least one of activating the plurality of light devices, deactivating the plurality of light devices, displaying a color combination to a player of the gaming machine via the plurality of light devices, and displaying a pattern to the player via the plurality of light devices.

16. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising powering off the plurality of light devices due to a loss of communication between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver when the main door is opened.

17. A wireless communication system for use with a gaming machine, said system comprising:

a controller comprising a wireless transmitter configured to transmit control signals using a wireless protocol;

a display board coupled to a main door of the gaming machine, said display board comprising a plurality of light devices, a wireless receiver configured to receive control signals, and a processor coupled to said plurality of light devices and said wireless receiver, wherein said processor is configured to control said plurality of light devices based on the control signals.

18. A wireless communication system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said plurality of light devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED).

19. A wireless communication system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to transmit control signals using IR light.

20. A wireless communication system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said wireless receiver comprises an IR receiver.