Multi-Layer Wagering Game Display

• US 20120270648A1
• Filed: 04/05/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Rasmussen, James M., Loose, Timothy C., Burica, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,851,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

In one aspect, a wagering game system includes a display device including a projector, a rear switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector, a front switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to receive light output through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel. The front switchable liquid crystal panel and/or the rear switchable liquid crystal panel are configured to provide one or more regions controlled by the controller that may be independently maintained in a different state than other regions of the respective one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel. The projector is configured to output light to the liquid crystal panel through the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to provide a backlight for the liquid crystal panel.

Claims

1. A multi-layer display for a wagering game device comprising:

a front liquid crystal panel assembly;

a light guide frame disposed behind the front liquid crystal panel assembly, the light guide frame having external lateral dimensions substantially similar to that of the corresponding external lateral dimensions of the front liquid crystal panel assembly and the light guide frame defining an opening having internal lateral dimensions;

at least one light source configured to provide lighting to the front light guide frame;

a rear liquid crystal panel assembly disposed at least partially behind, or co-planar with, the light guide frame;

a rear light guide panel disposed behind the rear liquid crystal display; and

at least one light source configured to provide lighting to the rear light guide panel,

wherein the external lateral dimensions of the rear liquid crystal panel assembly are less than corresponding external lateral dimensions of the front liquid crystal panel assembly, and

wherein the multi-layer display is configured to provide a first video layer on the front liquid crystal panel assembly and to provide a second video layer on the rear liquid crystal panel assembly.

2. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein the rear liquid crystal panel has external lateral dimensions equal to that of corresponding interior lateral dimensions of the light guide frame.

3. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 2, wherein the rear liquid crystal panel is disposed within and substantially co-planar with the opening of the light guide frame.

4. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein the rear liquid crystal panel has external lateral dimensions larger than that of corresponding interior lateral dimensions of the light guide frame.

5. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source configured to provide lighting to the front light guide frame comprises opposing edge light sources.

6. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 5, wherein the opposing edge light sources comprise CCFLs.

7. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rear source configured to provide lighting to the rear light guide panel comprises opposing CCFL edge light sources.

8. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rear source configured to provide lighting to the rear light guide panel comprises light emitting diodes.

9. A display system for a wagering game device, comprising:

a projector;

a rear projection screen positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector;

an optically transparent spacer disposed in front of the rear projection screen; and

a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the optically transparent spacer;

wherein the projector is configured to output white light to the rear projection screen to provide a backlight to the liquid crystal panel assembly and emphasize a front image output by the liquid crystal panel or to output images to the rear projection screen to provide, in combination with a state wherein the liquid crystal panel does not emit light, a rear image on the rear projection screen.

10. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 9, wherein the optically transparent spacer is set apart from the rear projection screen by an air gap.

11. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 10, wherein the optically transparent spacer is attached to a rear of the liquid crystal display assembly.

12. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 10, wherein the liquid crystal panel does not comprise a rear polarizer, and wherein the projector comprises an LCoS-based solid state lighting system.

18. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 12, wherein the rear switchable liquid crystal panel is curved.

13. A display system for a wagering game device, comprising:

a projector;

a rear switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector;

a front switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to receive light output through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel;

a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel;

wherein the projector is configured to output white light incident to the rear switchable liquid crystal panel,

wherein at least one portion of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel is switchable and is configured to assume a translucent state when switched off and to assume a transparent state when switched on,

wherein at least one portion of the front switchable liquid crystal panel is switchable and is configured to assume a translucent state when switched off and to assume a transparent state when switched on, and

wherein at least one switchable portion of the front switchable liquid crystal panel is disposed over a corresponding at least one switchable portion of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel.

14. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 13, further comprising:

an optically transparent spacer disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel,

wherein the optically transparent spacer is set apart from the rear projection screen by an air gap.

15. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 13, further comprising:

an optically transparent spacer disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel,

wherein the optically transparent spacer is attached to a rear of the liquid crystal panel assembly.

16. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 13, wherein the projector comprises an LCoS-based solid state lighting system, and wherein the liquid crystal panel does not comprise a rear polarizer.

17. The display system for the wagering game device of claim 16, wherein said at least one switchable portion of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel is configured to assume a translucent state when switched off to thereby provide a backlight for said at least one portion of the front switchable liquid crystal panel.

19. A wagering game system comprising:

a wager input device;

a user input device;

a controller configured to execute a wagering game responsive to a wager input into the wager input device and an instruction to execute the wagering game responsive to an input into the user input device; and

a display device, the display device comprising a projector, a rear switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector, a front switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to receive light output through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel,

wherein at least one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel is configured to provide one or more regions controlled by the controller that may be independently maintained in a different state than other regions of the respective one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel,

wherein the projector is configured to output light to the liquid crystal panel through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel and the front switchable liquid crystal panel to provide a backlight for the liquid crystal panel, and

wherein image data may be selectively portrayed on a respective one or more regions of one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel or the rear switchable liquid crystal panel when such respective one or more regions are in a translucent state.

20. The wagering game system of claim 19, further comprising an optically transparent spacer disposed behind the liquid crystal panel and being set apart from the rear projection screen by an air gap.

21. The wagering game system of claim 19, further comprising an optically transparent spacer attached to a rear of the liquid crystal panel assembly.

22. The wagering game system of claim 19, wherein the display device projector comprises an LCoS-based solid state lighting system, and wherein the liquid crystal panel does not comprise a rear polarizer.

23. The wagering game system of claim 19, wherein the rear switchable liquid crystal panel is curved.

24. The wagering game system of claim 19,

wherein the display device projector is configured to selectively output video to select areas of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel and white light to other areas of the front switchable liquid crystal panel to provide a backlight to the front switchable liquid crystal panel when the display system is in a first state, and

wherein the display device projector is configured to output white light to the front switchable liquid crystal panel to provide a backlight to the liquid crystal panel when the display system is in a second state.