Acousto-optic modulator for multi-layer display

• US 9,030,726 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Griswold, Chauncey W., Thoeni, Stewart, Johnson, Charles W., LeGras, Jean Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): TRA, TUYEN Q
• Application Number:
  US13/480,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20130316814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 359/285, 359/240, 359/238, 359/237, 359/305, 359/445, 359/579, 359/901, 359/311, 359/312, 359/900, 29/253.5, 463/20, 463/30, 463/31, 463/32
• US Class Current: 359/285
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/113 Circuit or control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133394 Piezoelectric elements associated with the cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/33 Acousto-optical deflection devices circuit or control arrangements therefor G02F1/113
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/20 with electrical input and mechanical output, e.g. functioning as actuators or vibrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making

Abstract

A gaming system including an electronic gaming machine (EGM) having a multi-layer display is described. In particular, the EGM can be configured with a display that provides a 3D-like image. An acousto-optical modulator interstitial component can be positioned between two liquid crystal displays to mitigate moiré interference. A piezoelectric transducer can be attached to a glass interstitial component or to a display panel of a multi-layer display in order to control the moiré interference.

Claims

1. A multi-layer display assembly for providing a 3D-like image on an electronic gaming machine for a wager-based game, the display assembly comprising:

a plurality of layers including;

a first display panel;

a second display panel substantially parallel to and behind the first display panel; and

an interstitial component, wherein the interstitial component is positioned between the first and second display panels, and is substantially parallel to each of the first and second display panels;

an acousto-optical modulator comprising a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the interstitial component for mitigating moire interference; and

an acoustic absorber coupled to the interstitial component opposite from the piezoelectric transducer.

2. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the interstitial component is at least semi-transparent.

3. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is configured to convert electrical energy into acoustic energy.

4. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is configured to vibrate and create sound waves in the component to which it is attached.

5. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the display panels are liquid crystal display panels.

6. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the display assembly is a backlit display assembly.

7. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the acousto-optical modulator is a first acousto-optical modulator, the multi-layer display assembly further comprising:

a second acousto-optical modulator coupled to at least one of the plurality of layers for mitigating moire interference.

8. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein vibrations produced by the piezoelectric transducer can be adjusted.

9. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 2, wherein the interstitial component is glass.

10. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 3, wherein the glass is fully transparent.

11. The multi-layer display assembly of claim 1, wherein the interstitial component has substantially a same length and width as the first display panel.

12. A method of making a multi-layer display assembly useable in an electronic gaming machine for a wager-based game, the method comprising:

providing a first display panel, a second display panel, and an interstitial component, wherein the first display panel is positioned in front of and substantially parallel to the second display panel, the first and second display panels are spaced apart from one another, and the interstitial component is positioned between the first and second display panels, and is substantially parallel to each of the first and second display panels;

attaching an acousto-optical modulator for mitigating moiré

interference onto an edge of the interstitial component, the acousto-optical modulator comprising a piezoelectric transducer, and

attaching an acoustic absorber onto an edge of the interstitial component opposite from the piezoelectric transducer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the interstitial component is at least semi-transparent.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting the piezoelectric transducer to mitigate moiré

interference.

15. A method of adjusting a multi-layer display assembly in an electronic gaming machine for a wager-based game, the method comprising:

providing the electronic gaming machine with the multi-layer display assembly, wherein the multi-layer display assembly includes an acousto-optical modulator attached to a first edge of an interstitial component, an acoustic absorber attached to a second edge of the interstitial component, the second edge being opposite the first edge, wherein the interstitial component is positioned between the first and second display panels, and is substantially parallel to each of the first and second display panels;

turning on the multi-layer display;

determining whether a moiré

pattern can be detected after the display assembly is turned on; and

adjusting the acousto-optical modulator if a moiré

pattern is detected.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the acousto-optical modulator comprises a piezoelectric transducer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the interstitial component is at least semi-transparent.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the interstitial component is glass.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the display panels are liquid crystal display panels.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting the acousto-optical modulator includes adjusting a vibration of the piezoelectric transducer.