Abstract:
Described is a display device utilizing organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to display moving and static game symbols on curved portions of a display device such that the activity of the video reels, unlike the currently available flat slot machine display devices, resembles the activity of mechanical reels. To facilitate fabrication of the curved portions of the display device, flexible OLED technology may be employed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to slot machines. More particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to configuring video reels to appear as traditional hard or mechanical reels. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Slot machines now dominate casino floors. Indeed, table games are being squeezed by the expanding real estate being utilized by slot machines and similar electronic gaming machines. The rise in the popularity of slot machines has directly impacted the technological advances associated with slot machines. Accordingly, a majority of newly developed and manufactured slot machines are video based. 
         [0003]    Traditional reel slot machines include three rotating mechanical game reels. The game reels depict various slot symbols, which based on alignment along one or more pay lines, determine a game payout. On the other hand, video slot machines utilize a flat screen or monitor to display video slot symbols moving from top to bottom. Like the mechanical slot machines, payouts are based on an alignment of slot symbols along one or more pay lines. Video slot machines are much more versatile than mechanical slot machines. For example, a video slot machine may offer up to 30 pay lines while a mechanical slot machine may offer only 5 pay lines. In addition, with video, individual slot symbols can take on an infinite number of forms and shapes, and the symbols can be animated. Video slot machines are also easier to maintain than traditional mechanical slot machines. 
         [0004]    However, despite the inherent advantages of video slot machines, many players do not like them and prefer mechanical slot machines. Particularly, players that were introduced to slot machines via traditional hard reel machines tend to enjoy the traditional slot machines. In fact, in many instances, these players do not play video slot machines. One primary reason for the dislike is the “video game feel” associated with video slot machines. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for a video slot machine system that creates an appearance of a traditional mechanical slot machine while retaining the benefits that video machines offers. Advantageously, the video-based machine system should be useable on all types of gaming machines, including video poker machines, keno machines, bingo machines and the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a gaming machine housing; a processor to control a video-based game facilitated by the gaming machine; one or more player interfaces operable to allow a player to play the video-based game on the gaming machine; and a gaming machine display device utilizing organic light emitting devices for displaying game symbols. 
         [0007]    A second embodiment of the present invention comprises: a slot machine housing; a processor to control a video-based slot machine game; one or more player interfaces operable to allow a player to play the slot machine game; and a slot machine display device comprising one or more outwardly curved portions utilizing organic light emitting devices, said curved portions adapted to display moving and static video reel symbols. 
         [0008]    In general, the embodiments of the present invention utilize organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to display moving and static game symbols on curved portions of a display device such that the activity of the video reels, unlike the currently available flat slot machine display devices, resembles the activity associated with mechanical reels thereby attracting all types of players. To facilitate fabrication of the curved portions of the display device, flexible OLED technology may be employed as detailed below. 
         [0009]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a conventional mechanical slot machine; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the conventional slot machine with interior components exposed; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a conventional video slot machine; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary configuration of an Organic Light Emitting Diode structure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary configuration of an Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode structure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a video slot machine display device of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of a video slot machine display device of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the video slot machine display device as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the video slot machine display device as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a slot machine display device of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of the alternative embodiment of a slot machine display device of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the video slot machine monitor of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to a person skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0023]    The operation of slot machines and other gaming machines is controlled by microprocessors which communicate with internal memory devices and the external features of the machines. The microprocessors also incorporate, or communicate with, a random number generator which ensures the randomness of the machines&#39; outcomes. In the embodiments of the present invention, one or more processors, along with memory and related devices, control the machines&#39; disclosed herein. Since the technology for operating and controlling gaming machines is well known to those skilled in the art, the subtle operational details are not described herein. 
         [0024]    While standalone gaming machines are referenced herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that gaming machine also refers to and includes server-based and online games which utilize display devices. 
         [0025]    Initial reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating a conventional mechanical slot machine generally denoted by reference numeral  100 . The slot machine  100  is a mechanical slot machine having bottom portion  110 , central portion  115 , top box  120 , reset key switch  125 , handle  130 , bill acceptor  135 , power supply  140 , stand  145 , drop door sensor switch  150 , coin drop container  155 , drop door lock  160 , drop door  165 , coin tray  170 , hopper  175 , processor tray  180 , belly panel  185 , belly door  190 , player panel  195 , coin-in assembly  200 , digital display  205 , machine door  210 , mechanical reels  215  and service candle  220 . One or more pay lines  112  are located over the reels  215 . Most slot machines are also now outfitted with card readers to track player play and coupon acceptors. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a video slot machine  300 . The video slot machine  300  includes five video reels  305 - 1  through  305 - 5 . The video display  310  allows three video reel symbols  315  on each video reel  305  to be viewed simultaneously. So, in this instance, 15 video reel symbols  315  may be viewed simultaneously. This is unlike mechanical slot machines which do not allow a significant number of reel symbols to be viewed simultaneously because only a small part of the mechanical reel is viewable by the player at any given time. 
         [0027]    The embodiments of the present invention utilize gaming machine display devices which utilize organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). OLEDs provide brighter, crisper displays on electronic devices and use less power than light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or liquid crystal displays (LCDs) used today. Advantageously, OLEDs also enable foldable or curved displays to be created. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary OLED structure  350  is shown. The OLED structure  350  comprises various layers, namely a cathode  355 , emissive layer  360  comprising organic molecules or polymers, conductive layer  365  comprising organic molecules or polymers, anode  370  and substrate  375 . The substrate  375  may be clear plastic, glass or foil and supports the OLED structure  350 . The anode  370  is transparent and removes electrons (adds electron “holes”) when a current flows through the OLED structure  350 . The conductive layer  365  is made of organic plastic molecules (e.g., polyaniline) that transport “holes” from the anode  370 . The emissive layer  360  is made of organic plastic molecules (different from the ones used in the conductive layer  365 ) (e.g., polyfluorene) that transport electrons from the cathode  355  causing light to be made. The cathode  355 , which may or may not be transparent, injects electrons when a current flows through the OLED structure  350 . 
         [0029]    OLEDs emit light through a process known as electrophosphorescence. In one practical process, a battery, power supply or external power source applies a voltage across the OLED structure  350  causing the flow of electric current (i.e., the flow of electrons) from the cathode  355  to anode  370  through the organic layers  360 ,  365 . As a result, the cathode  355  gives electrons to the emissive layer  360  and the anode  370  removes electrons from the conductive layer  365 . At the boundary between the emissive layer  360  and conductive layer  365 , electrons find electron holes. When an electron finds an electron hole, the electronic fills the hole causing the electron to give up energy in the form of a photon of light. The color of the light depends on the type or organic molecule in the emissive layer  360 . Manufacturers place several types of organic films on the same OLED structure to make color displays. The brightness of the emitted light is controlled by the amount of electrical current applied. The more current applied the brighter the light. 
         [0030]    There are numerous types of OLED structures including passive-matrix, active-matrix, transparent, top-emitting, foldable and white. While any may be used to facilitate the embodiments of the present invention, the active-matrix and foldable OLEDs are focused on herein. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows an active-matrix OLED  400  (AMOLED) having layers of cathode  405 , organic layers  410 ,  415  and anode  420  with the anode layer  420  overlaying a thin film transistor (TFT) array  425  that forms a matrix. The TFT  425  is circuitry that determines which pixels get turned on to form an image. AMOLEDs are efficient for large displays and have fast refresh rates making them suitable for video displays. Foldable OLEDs have substrates made of very flexible metallic foils or plastics and are lightweight and durable. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6 through 9  show a front view, perspective view, side view and top view, respectively, of a slot machine display device  500  utilizing foldable or flexible OLEDs (e.g., AMOLEDs) to form five curved portions  505 - 1  through  505 - 5  which act as game reels to display gaming symbols (not shown). The curved portions  505 - 1  through  505 - 5  display static and dynamic video game symbols thereby creating the effect of mechanical reels with the use of video. As the video images of the gaming symbols are dynamically displayed on the curved portions  505 - 1  through  505 - 5 , it appears as through the video images of the gaming symbols are rotating in manner akin to mechanical hard reels. In other words, the video images of the gaming symbols are no longer being displayed on a flat display device, but are being displayed on the curved portions  505 - 1  through  505 - 5 . 
         [0033]    A cross-sectional view of a curved portion  505  (along A) is shown in  FIG. 12 . In one embodiment, an AMOLED having a cathode layer  510 , emissive layer  515 , conductive layer  520 , anode layer  525  and a TFT array  530  overlaid by said anode layer  525  is used. A substrate  535  made of very flexible metallic foils or plastics is attached to or rests on rigid curved member  540  to create the curved appearance of curved portion  505 . To prevent damage, a durable transparent cover  545  may be positioned over said AMOLED structure. Electrical contacts  550  at one or both ends of the curved portion  505  provide means for the required voltage to be supplied to the AMOLED. 
         [0034]    Like traditional slot machines, the OLED display device is powered by an external energy source in the form of electricity. The OLED display devices of the embodiments of the present invention may be retrofitted onto existing slot machines or integrated into newly built slot machines. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the curved portions  505 - 1  through  505 - 5  occupy only a portion of the display device  500 . In other words, a portion of the display device  500  remains flat. The flat portion  506  may be an active flat panel display suitable for display images in conjunction with the curved portions  505  or may be inactive and designed to provide support for the curved portions  505 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show a perspective view and top view, respectively, of a single curved portion  540  that can be used to display five video reels a separated by lines  507 . Any number of reels may be simulated with any of the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0037]    While the OLED display device described herein has been limited to the game display, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present invention may also be integrated into gaming machine topper display devices used to facilitate bonus games or on other locations on the slot machine. Display devices used with server-based and online games may also benefit from the embodiments or the present invention described herein. In such configurations, a PC display device or similar display device may include the flexible, curved portions facilitated by OLED technology or other technology. 
         [0038]    While slot machines are detailed above, it is apparent that OLED display devices described herein may also be used with other gaming devices, including video poker machines, keno machines and bingo machines. For example, with video poker machines, the display device may incorporate outwardly curved portions using foldable or flexible OLED structures to display the cards in a unique manner. 
         [0039]    The embodiments of the present invention offer gaming machine manufacturers more versatility than conventional flat display devices while offering users (i.e., casino patrons) a more exciting and unique gaming experience. 
         [0040]    In addition to use in the casino industry, the embodiments of the present invention may similarly be used with skill-based video games (e.g., DOOM). The video game industry generates billions of dollars every year. The use of the OLED curved display devices described herein have many applications that can enhance the play of such skill-based games. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other display technologies may be used to facilitate the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0041]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.