Patent ID: 8075408
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A modular visual output component for use with a gaming machine, the modular visual output component being interconnectable with another modular visual output component, the gaming machine having a processing unit for generating electrical control signals which (1) specify either said modular visual output component or the another modular visual output component and (2) specify a color of light or a particular visual text, the another modular visual component including a housing having a bottom surface, the modular visual output component comprising: a housing, said housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface being arranged in a spaced apart relationship to said bottom surface; a first visual output device comprising (1) a first light source operable to emit one of a plurality of colors of light and (2) a text display operable to display visual text; a microcontroller configured (1) to receive the electrical control signals generated by the processing unit of the gaming machine, and (2) to interpret said electrical control signals to separately operate said first light source to emit a color of light or operate said text display to display a particular visual text; a first input connector located on said bottom surface of said housing of the modular visual output component, said first input connector electrically coupled to said microcontroller and configured to receive the electrical control signals generated by the processing unit of the gaming machine to control the output color of said first light source; and a first output connector located on said top surface of said housing of the modular visual output component and being electrically coupled to said first input connector, said first output connector configured to connect to a second input connector located on the bottom surface of the another modular visual output component to provide the electrical control signals generated by the processing unit of the gaming machine to the second input connector of the another modular visual output component so as to control the output color of a second light source of the another visual output component.