Patent Abstract:
A display system includes a cabinet, a transparent dashboard and a lighting system. The dashboard is fabricated to have at least two refractive indices such that when light from the lighting system is projected therethrough, a unique lighting effect is created.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to an electronic gaming machine and, more particularly, to an electronic gaming machine incorporating an illuminated player interface dashboard. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gaming machines such as mechanically driven slot machines have been a staple of the gaming and entertainment industries for years. Such electronic devices continue to grow in popularity with the development of enhanced computer-generated graphics presented on colorful displays with special sound effects, making them more attractive to a wider audience of participants. The problem that arises, however, is that players quickly tire of a particular game. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for new and innovative concepts associated with electronic gaming machines that serve to continuously attract new participants. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a casino-style gaming machine having an illuminated player interface dashboard mounted on the machine&#39;s face. The dashboard is fabricated from a relatively thin piece of transparent plastic such as polycarbonate or acrylic, with polished surfaces and edges and openings for allowing access to certain of the machine&#39;s components such as a bill acceptor and a ticket printer. Further, various text may be etched into the dashboard to identify the location of the bill acceptor and/or ticket reader or to provide other instructions to the player. 
     A light source, such as incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs or light emitting diodes, is positioned along one or more edges of the dashboard. This configuration allows light to pass through the dashboard from edge to edge. The differences in the varying indexes of refraction across the dashboard resulting from the aforementioned opening and etchings cause a unique lighting effect. 
     Clearly, some alternative embodiments may exhibit advantages and features in addition to, or in lieu of, those mentioned above. It is intended that all such alternative embodiments be included within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       The various embodiments in accordance with the present invention are generally described below as an illuminated interface dashboard for a gaming machine. For the sake of expediency, the following description generally makes reference to a gaming machine as typically utilized in establishments such as video game parlors and casinos. However, it will be understood that the apparatus described herein are equally pertinent to many other applications, gaming as well as non-gaming, that incorporate an illuminated interface dashboard. 
         FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of a gaming machine incorporating an illuminated player interface dashboard in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the illuminate player interface dashboard in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments in accordance with the invention are generally described below as a gaming machine utilizing an illuminated player interface dashboard for machines. Consequently, for the sake of expedience, the following description mostly refers to gaming systems that are typically utilized in establishments such as casinos and other gaming facilities. However, it will be understood that the methods and systems described herein are equally pertinent to many other applications, gaming as well as non-gaming, that incorporate such a dashboard. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary gaming machine  100  in accordance with the present invention. The gaming machine  100  includes a cabinet  102  housing a display  104  for displaying game events. Typically, the display  104  is a flat panel LCD monitor. However, any display means known in the art may be employed. 
     Proximate to the display  104  are a series of electromechanical buttons  106  positioned on the cabinet for use as a user interface for controlling game play such as selecting a bet amount, commencing play and cashing out (i.e., terminating game play and retrieving the monetary value corresponding to the remaining game credits). The specific arrangement and function of each of the electromechanical buttons  106  is dependent upon the specific rules of the game being played on the gaming machine  100 . 
     Gaming machine  100  also includes a wager input interface  108 , such as a bill acceptor into which a player inserts paper currency and receives credit on the gaming machine  100  for the amount deposited. In alternate embodiments, the wager input interface  108  can be a ticket reader, a magnetic card reader, or similar mechanisms, into which the player places a ticket or magnetic card encoded with a monetary value purchased from a cashier&#39;s station or vending machine. In certain embodiments, gaming machine  100  includes a ticket printer  110 . In such a system, when a player indicates his or her intent to retrieve any remaining game credits or currency from gaming machine  100 , a paper ticket is generated by ticket printer  110 . The player may then exchange the ticket for the value printed thereupon or use it for future game play. 
     Overlaid onto the face of gaming machine  100  is an illuminated player interface dashboard  112  consisting of a clear or colored transparent panel with polished surfaces and edges. Typically, dashboard  112  is a polycarbonate or acrylic material. Mounted along at least one of the edges dashboard  112  is a light projection source  114  arranged to direct light toward the interior of the panel, as further illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , dashboard  112  has one or more voids  202  that allow access to certain of the components, described above. In one embodiment, voids  202  are positioned so as to align over wager input interface  108  and ticket printer  110 . Such a configuration allows the passage of materials such as paper currency and tickets through dashboard  112  to the respective components. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, text  204  may etched into dashboard  112 . Alternatively, text  204  may constitute a closed cavity within dashboard  112  with a frosted or opaque surface to enable the refraction and dispersion of white or colored light. 
     Mounted along at least one of the edges of dashboard  112  is a light projection source  114 , comprising a mounting surface  212  and light production means  214 , arranged to direct light toward the interior of the dashboard  112 . In the preferred embodiment, light production means  214  comprises one or more light emitting diodes, either white or colored, although any light source may be used. In operation, the differences in the varying indexes of refraction across dashboard  112  resulting from the presence of aforementioned voids  202  and/or text  204  opening and etchings creates a unique lighting effect. In one embodiment, a dark-colored opaque panel  210  is positioned directly behind dashboard  112  to enhance the visual effect of the illumination. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing discussions merely relate to illustrative, exemplary embodiments of the invention. Therefore, it should be further understood that various modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the disclosure herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6