Multi-layer wagering game display

• US 8,851,985 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2012
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rasmussen, James M., Burica, John, Loose, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PIERCE, DAMON JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US13/440,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20120270648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/30, 362/97.1, 362/601, 362/613, 349/62
• 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 front light guide frame disposed behind the front liquid crystal panel assembly, the front light guide frame having external lateral dimensions substantially similar to that of corresponding external lateral dimensions of the front liquid crystal panel assembly and the front 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 front light guide frame;

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

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

wherein 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 front 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 front 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 front 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 cold-cathode fluorescent lamps.

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 cold-cathode fluorescent lamps edge light sources.

8. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein a luminosity of the rear light guide panel and light source combination is greater than a luminosity of the front light guide frame and light source combination.

9. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein a single layer video image displayed on the front liquid crystal panel assembly is backlit, in combination, by the rear light guide panel and light source combination and the front light guide frame and light source combination.

10. 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 rear light guide panel comprises LEDs.

11. The multi-layer display for the wagering game device according to claim 1, wherein the front light guide frame has external vertical dimensions substantially similar to that of corresponding external vertical dimensions of the front liquid crystal panel assembly and the front light guide frame defining an opening having internal vertical dimensions and wherein external vertical dimensions of the rear liquid crystal panel assembly are less than corresponding external vertical dimensions of the front liquid crystal panel assembly.

12. A method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device comprising the acts of:

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

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

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

disposing a rear light guide panel behind the rear liquid crystal display;

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

securing at least the front light guide frame, front liquid crystal panel assembly, the rear liquid crystal panel assembly, and the rear light guide panel in a fixed relation relative to one another in a housing,

wherein 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.

13. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 12, wherein the rear liquid crystal panel has external lateral dimensions equal to that of corresponding interior lateral dimensions of the front light guide frame.

14. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 13, wherein the rear liquid crystal panel is disposed within and substantially co-planar with the opening of the front light guide frame.

15. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 12, wherein the rear liquid crystal panel has external lateral dimensions larger than that of corresponding interior lateral dimensions of the front light guide frame.

16. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one light source configured to provide lighting to the front light guide frame comprises opposing edge light sources.

17. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source configured to provide lighting to the front light guide panel comprises at least one of cold-cathode fluorescent lamps, or light emitting diodes.

18. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one rear source configured to provide lighting to the rear light guide panel comprises at least one of cold-cathode fluorescent lamps edge light sources, or light emitting diodes.

19. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 12, wherein a luminosity of the rear light guide panel and light source combination is greater than a luminosity of the front light guide frame and light source combination.

20. The method of assembling a multi-layer display for a wagering game device according to claim 12, wherein a single layer video image displayed on the front liquid crystal panel assembly is backlit, in combination, by the rear light guide panel and light source combination and the front light guide frame and light source combination.