Abstract:
An electronic display to post monetary gaming limit amounts in programmable manner while including other fixed graphics or logos and background lighting. The device includes a pedestal or stand, a rectangular box housing, electronic circuit board including LED numeric displays, programming switches, a plastic sheet and special LED lights. The housing holds the electronic circuit board, LED numeric displays, power supply, programming switches, backlighting LED arrays and provides grooves for the plastic sheet to slide in and out. The special LED lights are sized and shaped small enough to fit in the bottom groove to backlight the plastic sheet from the bottom edge of the sheet for more diffuse light over the entire area of the sheet and fixed graphics.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/421,578, filed Oct. 28, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of The Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a display for a gaming table used in casino or other gaming establishments to post monetary gaming limit amounts in a programmable electronic manner which includes other graphics, logos and background lighting.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Related art signs or displays for posting gaming table numeric monetary limits employ panels with fixed numerals for numeric monetary limits, as well as fixed logos or graphics for name of the game table and name of the casino. The logo, graphics or numerals are painted on the fixed panels. The only way to change the numeric monetary limits for a game is to slide the old panel(s) out and replace it with a new one in the front of the box. Therefore, the new panel with the desired numerical limit and logo that match the table would have to be prepared and made available ahead of time. Related art of this type can be seen at: www.actionpackedgaming.com.  
           [0006]    Signs or displays to display numeric amounts or scores using electrically programmable electronic displays are known. Disclosures of this type are: U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,364 issued to Rasmussen on Jul. 11, 1961; U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,867 issued to Rosenzweig on Feb. 20, 1973; U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,002 issued to Gardner on Sep. 14, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,245 issued to Hedin on Aug. 22, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,841 issued to Roberts on Feb. 13, 1979; U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,506 issued to Brown on Jun. 14, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,957 issued to Egender on Jun. 13, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,194 issued to Haruki on Oct. 30, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,361 issued to Raven et al. on Jul. 4, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,711 issued to Rose on Mar. 18, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,261 issued to Green on Apr. 13, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,676 issued to Rubin on Aug. 10, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,054 issued to Hampson on Apr. 18, 2000; PCT Pat. No. WO 01/15051 A2 issued on Mar. 1, 2001.  
           [0007]    These types of signs or displays often use more than two switches to set one or more of the numeric electronic displays, or do not include a backlit plastic panel having the logo or graphics describing what numeric amount is displayed. They often use programming cards or other devices more complicated than switches to program the numeric electronic displays. Some display more than just numerical digits, such as changeable text requiring more complicated programming of the display.  
           [0008]    It would be desirable to have an electronic display panel or sign that has programmable numeric electronic displays in conjunction with a backlit panel, and having fixed logo and graphics describing the game and casino. The electronic programmable display would have only two switches to program the programmable numeric display. A panel slides in and out of the display to be changed only when used at a different game table or other times when the fixed logo and graphics need changing. Backlighting of the panel is done on the edges of the panel in the groove using lighting elements that mount in the groove for more diffuse and uniform lighting of the panel.  
           [0009]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is an electronic display to post monetary gaming limit amounts in a programmable manner, while including other fixed graphics, logos and background lighting. The device includes a pedestal or stand, a rectangular box housing, electronic circuit board including LED (light emitting diodes) numeric displays, programming switches, a plastic sheet to provide the fixed graphics and special backlighting LED arrays. The housing provides a case for the electronic circuit board, LED numeric displays, power supply, programming switches, backlighting LED array and a groove for holding the plastic sheet to slide in and out.  
           [0011]    The switches allow a casino or gambling house to programmably set the numeric limit amount for the game while other fixed graphics or logos on the plastic panel are not changed. The switches allow a casino or gambling house to programmably set the color that the special LED lights provide. The removable sheet provides the fixed graphics and logo appropriate for the game. The fixed graphics and logo are engraved into the plastic sheet. Special LED lights mounted on the bottom of pc board extend out into the bottom groove to back light the bottom edge of the sheet providing diffuse lighting over the entire area of the sheet. The sheet sits on top of the special backlighting LEDs when slid into the groove of the housing.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an electronic display, which includes a programmable electronic display for a gaming table.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide an electronic display wherein the electronic programmable display is programmed through two momentary pushbutton switches.  
           [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronically programmable display that uses a plastic sheet having etched or engraved logos that slides in and out along a groove in the box.  
           [0015]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an electronically programmable display wherein colors of the backlighting of the panel is programmed through two momentary pushbutton switches.  
           [0016]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an electronically programmable display that uses special LEDs that mount in the groove along the bottom edge of the panel so that it is diffusely backlight.  
           [0017]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0018]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective front view of an electronic display to post gaming limits according to the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 showing the plastic panel slid up to partly reveal the numeric LEDs and circuitry.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a cut away front perspective view of FIG. 1 with the plastic panel removed revealing the printed circuit board, backlighting LEDs, groove and other electronics.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the electronic display showing the programming button switches and duplicate numeric LEDs.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic of the electronics, LED&#39;s, switches and display controller used to program the numeric display.  
         [0024]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 shows a programmable electronic display for displaying the numerical limit amounts  34 ,  36  and appropriate logo  50  or graphics  52  for a gaming table  22  in a gaming organization. FIG. 1 shows the display box  14  sitting next to or on top of the gaming table  22  via pedestal  20  and arm  18 . The display box  14  is rectangular shaped. It includes a front panel  10  showing the numerical limit display  34 ,  36 , and has appropriate text logo  52  or graphics  50 . The numerical limit display  34 ,  36  is usually a multidigit  7  segment numeric LED display array. It is used to display the lower and higher limits of the game being played at the table  22 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 shows a panel  10 , which is made of a clear or smoked plastic which has been engraved with the text logo  52 , graphics  50  or other indicia. The power cord  12  shown in FIG. 2 provides power for the electronics in box  14  from a power adaptor plugged into a wall outlet. The LED displays  34 ,  36  show through an unengraved portion of panel  10 . Some black backing may be mounted on the back of panel  10  in the area of the text logo  52  and graphics  50  to prevent electronics in the box  14  from showing through.  
         [0027]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the panel  10  slides in and out of the box  14  through a groove  22  that is just wide enough to hold the thickness of the panel  10 . In the bottom most groove  22  is an LED backlight  24 ,  26  (not a numerical digital display) mounted on the pc board  58  so that it fits inside the width of the groove  22  and the edge of the panel  10  sits on top of the LEDS  24 ,  26 . The LEDs  24 ,  26  are positioned within the bottom most groove  22  so that the majority of their light will go up into the edge of the panel  10 . Thus, the panel  10  is lit up on an edge along its thickness. Therefore, the backlight  24 ,  26  provides a much more diffuse and uniform light covering of all the areas of the panel  10 , than if backlit from a light source that was mounted directly behind the flat surface of the panel  10 .  
         [0028]    The light rays of the backlighting  24 ,  26  which are parallel to the plane of the surface of the panel hit the engraved text  50  and logos  52  and reflect or bend the rays at 90 degrees so that the lighting in the area of the engravings comes straight out to the eye of a viewer of the engraved text  50  and logo  52 .  
         [0029]    The backlighting  24  and  26  will light the all areas of the panel  10  with the color they have been programmed set to. The engraved areas  50 ,  52  of the panel  10  will be lit with the same but brighter or lighter color as the background color emitted by the backlights  24  and  26 .  
         [0030]    As shown in FIG. 3, the LED numeric displays  34 ,  36 , the multicolored LEDs  24 ,  26  and microcomputer chip  51  and other circuitry are mounted on the circuit board  58 . The circuit board  58  is mounted on the edges of the box  14  using tabs  53 . The pc board  58  is positioned within the depth of the box  14 , so that the height of LED numeric displays  34 ,  36  comes close to the surface of the panel  10  near the engraved dollar signs. The backlighting LEDs  24 ,  26  are shown mounted on the bottom part of the pc board  58 . The LEDs  24 ,  26  are mounted with a height from the pc board  58  so that the LEDs  24 ,  26  extend into the groove  22 . The side edges of the panel  10  slide in the groove  22 . The bottom edge of the panel  10  sits on top of the LEDs  24 ,  26 . FIG. 3 also shows the open top of the box  14  also having a rear wall or clear or smoked plastic panel  28 .  
         [0031]    Push button switches  38 ,  39  are mounted on the PC board  58  and are situated so that their knobs are accessible to openings in the clear or smoked plastic panel  28  of the box  14  as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the casino boss can conveniently and quickly change the limits of the LED numeric display  34 ,  36  on the front of the box  14 , from behind the box  14  by pushing button switches  38  and  39  and watching respective duplicate numeric LEDs  35  and  37  on the back of the box  14 . FIG. 4 also shows the solid side wall  29  and the raised part of the panel  10 . The numeric display  34  in FIG. 3 showing the low or min limit of the game corresponds to the numeric display  35  on the back in FIG. 4. Correspondingly, the numeric display  36  in FIG. 3 showing the low or min limit of the game corresponds to the numeric display  37  on the back in FIG. 4.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 shows a schematic circuit diagram to illustrate the operation and connection of the electronics that program and drive the numeric LED display arrays  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  37  and backlight LEDs  24  and  26 . FIG. 5 shows that all the circuits of FIG. 5 are powered by a regulated power supply  46  that receive an unregulated 6 V DC input from power cord  12 , that may have some ripple left over from the AC power adaptor. The regulated power supply  46  provides a regulated or steady 5 V DC power output V dd  to the rest of the circuits in FIG. 5.  
         [0033]    The capacitor  40  and resistor  41  provide an RC time constant delay circuit for the reset input of the microcomputer  30 . Thus, when the power switch turns on the regulated power supply  46 , and 5 volts is first applied to capacitor  40  and resistor  41 , they will send a delayed pulse for the proper power on reset input line of microcomputer  30 . The microcomputer  30  will take care of its internal operations and provide a place in its reset routine to reset the displays  34  and  36  to zero or the smallest minimum or maximum.  
         [0034]    The two switches  38 ,  39  are connected to input ports of the microcomputer chip  30  and have pull up resistors  43 ,  42 . Thus inputs to the microcomputer chip  30  are at a high level near Vdd when the switches  38 ,  39  are in their normally open position. When the switches  38  or  39  are momentarily closed or pushed and released, the input ports will receive a low level near ground pulse.  
         [0035]    The multidigit LED arrays  34 - 37  are connected and controlled through output ports of the microcomputer chip  30 . Some of the output ports of microcomputer  30  are connected to the LED&#39;s  34 - 37  through a display driver  33  and decoder  32 . All the numeric displays  34 - 37  are driven using drivers  31  and  33 . Decoder  32  provides proper decoding of the signal lines from the microcomputer  30 . The numeric LED display  35  is wired in parallel with the numeric LED display  34 ; therefore, numeric LED  34  on the front will show the same values as numeric LED  35  on the back. The numeric LED display  36  is wired in parallel with the numeric LED display  37 ; therefore, numeric LED  36  on the front will show the same values as mumeric LED  37  on the back.  
         [0036]    Three further outputs of microcomputer  30  are fed to driver transistors  58 ,  60  and  62  to drive the LEDs  52 ,  54 ,  56  at six different colors. A high and low output of the transistors  58 ,  60  and  62 , that are output on three lines provides at the least 6 different voltages for generating six different colors. Vdd is provided to the common terminals of each of the LEDs  52 ,  54 , and  56 .  
         [0037]    Each time switch  38  is pushed and released once for a short period of time, the microcomputer chip  30  sees the one active low pulse and changes the display of LED  34  and  35  by incrementing it by 1 or a specific amount and sends outputs on three output lines to the LEDs  52 ,  54  and  56  to change their color. Another short push and release will cause the same increment by 1 or a specific amount.  
         [0038]    If the switch  38  is pushed and held down for a longer length of time, microcomputer chip  30  will respond to the longer length of time and increment the LED display by 1 or a specific amount at a faster rate. The faster rate will continue as long as the microcomputer  30  senses that the switch  38  is held down. The faster rate change also applies to the changing LEDs  52 ,  54  and  56  to emit different colors.  
         [0039]    The incrementing of the LED display  34  continues until all the digits on the LEDs display the maximum amount at which point with the occurrence of the next switch  38  activation all the digits of the LED display will be 0 or specific minimum amount.  
         [0040]    The same operation occurs using switch  39  to control microcomputer  30  to set and increment the numeric display on LED array  36 . However, it is not required to have switch  39  change the colors emitted by LEDs  52 ,  54  and  56 .  
         [0041]    The difference between LED numeric multidigit displays  34  and  36  is that one shows the amount of the high limit of the game, and the other shows the amount of the low limit of the game. It might be that low limit of the game requires a different number of LED digits in the numeric display so that LED multidigit displays do not have to have the same number of digits.  
         [0042]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.