Abstract:
An indicator light includes at least one segment. Each segment includes a housing forming an interior and an exterior surface with a light source within. A light filter comprises a transparent or translucent stretchable elastomeric ring processed to pass a desired color and dimensioned to fit on the exterior surface of the housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to indicator devices for gaming machines and, in particular, indicator devices which use colored light for signaling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming machines are often arranged in large numbers in a room. In such an environment, it can be difficult to tell if a particular gaming machine or its player needs assistance. An indicator light (sometimes referred to as a top light, tower light, light tower or candle) located on top of the gaming machine is easier to see, and is typically used to indicate that the gaming machine, or its player, needs assistance. 
     The indicator light typically comprises two or three differently colored segments. Each segment is optically separated from adjacent segments. When a particular segment of this indicator light is illuminated, it indicates to nearby personnel that some form of attendance is required at the location of the illuminated indicator light. The light color produced by the respective segments may provide information the gaming machine and/or about what assistance is required. For example, the color of some segments may indicate the denomination of the slot machine. The colors of other segments, including flashing lights, may convey to the casino operator that there is a malfunction, or that the coin hopper is full or empty, or that the player needs to paid out manually, or some other requirement. 
     In one known arrangement, each segment contains a white light source (typically a white light bulb). Surrounding each white light bulb in a segment is a colored film or gel, such as a red, yellow, blue, or green film, which produces a red, yellow, blue, or green light, respectively, when illuminated by the white light bulb. The light bulbs in the different segments are selectively illuminated to create color codes for the casino operators and/or the players. 
     In another known arrangement, each segment contains a light source of the desired color, e.g. a green light bulb, red light bulb, etc. When illuminated, the light bulb produces light of the color of that light bulb for that segment. 
     In yet another known arrangement, each segment contains a combination of sources of light in the primary colors, typically one or more of each of red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LEDs). The illuminating of one or more LED, and the intensity assigned to the respective LEDs, combines to produce a light of a desired color. For example, illuminating the red LED or LEDs produces a red light. Illuminating the red and green LEDs produces a yellow light, Illuminating the red, green and blue LEDs produces a white light, and so forth. 
     In the first arrangement, the colored film or gel may slip during use of the gaming machine due to the vibration of the machine. Further, when assembled, the ends of the colored film or gel may overlap, producing a line of darker color (see  FIG. 5 :  502 ). In the first and second arrangement, should a segment with a new color be desired, a replacement indicator light with the desired colored film or gel or light bulb must be ordered and produced. And the current indicator light must be replaced with the new indicator light. This can be a relatively expensive process requiring (a) purchasing the new indicator light, (b) taking the gaming machine out of service, and (c) replacing the old indicator light with the new one. 
     In the last arrangement, the physical structure of the indicator light does not need to be altered to change the color of the light produced by a segment. Instead, the color of the light produced by the segment is changed by changing the combination of LEDs illuminated and their relative intensities. However, this requires reprogramming of the indicator light controller, and possibly reprogramming the game controller, which may require recertification by regulators. Further, an indicator light including segments with multiple LEDs are more expensive than an indicator light containing only a white or colored light bulbs for generating the appropriate color light in the segment. 
     It is desirable to be able to change the color light produced by an indicator light segment easily and cheaply. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with principles of the present invention, an indicator light includes at least one segment. Each segment includes a housing forming an interior and an exterior surface, a light source within the interior, and a light filter, dimensioned to fit on the exterior surface of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gaming machine including an indicator light according to principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view and  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional top view of an indicator light which may be affixed to a gaming machine as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A , and B are transverse cross-sectional diagrams of a segment of prior art indicator lights; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional top view of an indicator light according to principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a gray scale picture of an indicator light illustrating a situation where a color film or gel overlaps within a segment; and 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate dimensions for an embodiment of an elastomeric ring according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , a gaming machine  10  includes a main cabinet  12  and a top box  14 . The top box  14  includes a display device  16 , sometimes called a top box glass, which may be used for attracting attention, advertising the gaming machine or casino services, or other display items. The gaming device  10  also includes a main display device  17  that presents one or more game images; and various player input devices  13  and a handle  15  for use by a player to play the games. Speakers  19  present sounds to the player. A player identification card slot  27  may receive a player identification card from a player. In response to receiving such a card, the casino identifies and tracks the play of this player, and may reward the player for such play. A value input slot  25  receives value from the player in the form of coins, bills, or cash-equivalent tickets. In response to the receipt of value the gaming machine  10  will allow the player to play one or more games of chance upon manipulating the appropriate player activated buttons  13  or by pulling the handle  15 . A indicator light  21  is affixed to a base  23 , and provides light signals indicating that the gaming machine  10  requires attention from casino personnel, all in a known manner. 
     The main cabinet  12  of the gaming device  10  also houses a game monitoring unit (not shown). The game monitoring unit is connected to the circuitry of the gaming machine  10  and monitors the game, coin status, player winnings, and other functions of the gaming machine  10 . The game monitoring unit includes a CPU, circuitry, and software for receiving signals from the player activated buttons  13 , the handle  15 , and the value input device  25 . The game monitoring unit operates the games, and transmits signals to the respective game display  17  and speakers  19  presenting game images and sounds to the player. The game monitoring unit also sends monitored information to a backend server for processing. In various embodiments, the game program may be stored in a memory (not shown) comprising a read only memory (ROM), volatile or non-volatile random access memory (RAM), a hard drive or flash memory device, or any of several alternative types of single or multiple memory devices or structures. 
     The game monitoring unit also controls the indicator light  21  to illuminate an appropriate segment to shine a light of a desired color, and may blink that segment. For example, on a tilt condition, the game monitoring unit may control the indicator light  21  to illuminate a segment shining red light; on a large jackpot, the game monitoring unit may control the indicator light  21  to illuminate a segment shining green light; and in the event the player needs assistance (e.g. would like help, or a drink), the game monitoring unit may control the indicator light  21  to illuminate a segment blinking white light. One skilled in the art understands that the colors and blinking characteristics may be defined by the regulatory agency for the location of the gaming machine. Further the colors and blinking characteristics may be different between one regulatory jurisdiction and another. 
       FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional side view (along II-II) and  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional top view (along I-I) of an indicator light  21  which may be affixed to a gaming machine as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2A , an indicator light  21  is mounted on a base  23 . The base  23  is mounted to a gaming machine  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The indicator light  21  includes a first segment  202  and an adjacent second segment  204 . A cap  206  is affixed to the top of the indicator light  21 . The first segment  202  and second segment  204  are fabricated identically. Consequently, only the segment  204  will be described in detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  in combination, segment  204  includes a base  201 . A housing  208  is mounted on the base  201  forming an exterior surface  212  and an interior  210 . The housing  208  is transparent or translucent. Within the interior  210  is a light source  214 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as an elongated light bulb. In the illustrated embodiment, this light bulb produces white light. One skilled in the art understands that any source of light  214  may be fabricated within the housing. Preferably the source of light  214  is arranged so that even lighting, e.g. without hot spots or shadows, is applied to the housing, producing relatively even lighting on the exterior surface of the housing  208 . One skilled in the art understands that this may be provided by mirroring or other similar light shaping (not shown) also fabricated within the interior  210  of segment  204 . The housing  208  may also include some sort of diffusion mechanism such as a frosted coating. This further prevents hot spots or shadows from appearing on the outside of the light tower  21  segment  202 ,  204 . 
     The game monitoring unit (described above) sends control signals to the indicator light  21  controlling the segments  202 ,  204  to illuminate the light source as appropriate. Alternatively, an indicator light controller (also not shown) may control the light sources in response to signals from the game controller, all in a known manner. 
       FIGS. 3A , and B are top view cross-sectional diagrams, along I-I of  FIG. 2A , of respective segments of prior art indicator lights. In  FIG. 3  those elements which are the same as those illustrated in  FIG. 2B  are designated with the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail below.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a prior art embodiment of an indicator light segment  204 . In  FIG. 3A , a relatively thin colored film or gel  302  is placed within the interior  210 . This colored film or gel  302  is placed between the light source  214 , typically a source of white light, and the housing  208 . Typically, it is placed near the inside surface of the housing  208 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . It reaches around the entire circumference of the inside surface of the housing  208 , and spans the height of the segment housing  208 . 
     In operation, the light source  214  is controlled by the gaming machine  10  ( FIG. 1 ). When the light source is illuminated, the colored film or gel  302  passes colored light which may be seen through the housing  208 . In order to change the color of the segment  204 , the entire indicator light  21  assembly ( FIG. 2 ) must be replaced with one including the appropriately dyed color film or gel  302  in the segment  204 . Then the old indicator light is removed and the new indicator light is installed. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates another prior art embodiment of an indicator light segment  204 . In  FIG. 3B , a colored light source  304  produces light of the desired color. In operation, the light source  304  is controlled by the gaming machine  10  ( FIG. 1 ). When the colored light source  304  is illuminated, it produces colored light which can be seen through the housing  208 . In order to change the color of the segment  204 , the entire indicator light  21  assembly ( FIG. 2 ) must be replaced with one including a new colored light source  304  producing light of the appropriate color in the segment  204 . Then the old indicator light is removed and the new indicator light is installed. 
     Both of these prior art indicator lights require purchasing a new indicator light assembly if it is desired to change the color of a segment in the indicator light. This is expensive, and requires that the gaming machine be taken out of service for the time it takes to replace the old indicator light with the new one. 
       FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional side view (along II-II) and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional top view (along I-I) of an indicator light segment  204  according to principles of the present invention. In  FIG. 4A , the light source  214  is preferably a source of white light. An elastomeric ring  306  surrounds the entire circumference of the exterior surface  212  and the height of the segment  204 . The elastomeric ring  306  is dyed with the desired color. 
     In operation, when the light source  214  is illuminated, the light from the elastomeric ring  306  is the desired color. In order to change the color of the segment  204 , the elastomeric ring  306  is removed, and one of the desired color is placed on the desired segment as described above. 
     The elastomeric ring  306  is fabricated of a material which is stretchable, translucent or transparent, and dyed, or otherwise processed, to pass light of the desired color. The material may be stretched to fit over the outside of the candle  21  ( FIG. 2 ) mounted on the gaming machine  10  ( FIG. 1 ). In particular, the material is sufficiently stretchable to fit over the cap  206  and segment bases  201 . When in the proper position, the elastomeric ring  306  is held in position by the inherent elastic resistance. Preferably, this material is a silicone based material such as those proprietary to and manufactured by Boyd Industries. One skilled in the art understands that any material which is transparent or translucent, may be dyed to transmit light of a desired color, and is stretchable to fit over the cap  206  and segment bases  201  of an indicator light assembly  21  may be utilized. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate-dimensions for an embodiment of an elastomeric ring according to the present invention.  FIG. 6A  is a side view of an elastomeric ring  306 , and the vertical dimension is 0.97 inches.  FIG. 6B  is a top view of the elastomeric ring  306 . One skilled in the art understands that this elastomeric ring  306  is intended for an ellipsoidal shaped indicator light and has a major diameter of 3.150 inches and a minor diameter of 1.917 inches. This results in a circumference of 7.92 inches The thickness of the elastomeric ring is 0.059 inches. This embodiment of an elastomeric ring  306  may be stretched over the cap  206  and segment bases  201  ( FIG. 2 ) until it is over the exterior surface of the desired segment. One skilled in the art understands that elastomeric rings  306  of different cross-sectional shapes and sizes, and different heights to fit the indicator lights for which they are intended. 
     Although a light indicator has been described above in association with a gaming machine, such an indicator light may find application wherever a device may require manual attendance or assistance.