AU2008101279A4 - A display system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: Paladin Electronics Pty Limited Actual Inventors: Darren Sollars and Glenn Phipps Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: A DISPLAY SYSTEM Details of Associated Provisional Application No. 2007901704 dated 30 Mar 2007 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: File: 46501AUP00 -2 A DISPLAY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a display system and in particular to a display system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming 5 device. The invention has been developed primarily as a display system for one or more Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs), and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) are typically mounted on a wooden or steel 15 base. Where a number of EGMs are included within a single gaming venue it is known for the base to include a plurality of spaced apart base units each of which support a respective plurality of EGMs, or a "bank" of EGMs. Particularly in the larger venues the base units are also used as a conduit for network cables that connect the individual EGMs to a LAN for allowing jackpot gaming and other linked games to be offered to players of the EGMs. 20 It is known to physically adhere a printed sign to the base units, and to dispose lighting on the base unit. The lighting is typically cold cathode or high voltage neon tubes which are constructed from glass and prone to breakage. Due to their fragile nature, this type of lighting is rarely used on base units, and is more typically disposed above the bank of EGMs, or on a wall adjacent to one or more banks of EGMs. 25 Cold cathode and high voltage neon tubes also make use of high operating voltages. Since the base unit of an EGM is often subject to drink spillage and the like, the high operating voltages are more at risk of providing a dangerous environment, and to placing patrons at risk of injury. The above factors, and the resultant increased exposure they -3 provide of the venue operator to litigation, ensure these tubes are only rarely mounted to bases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the 5 disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. According to one aspect of an embodiment of the invention there is provided a display system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, wherein the gaming device provides a gaming signal and the system includes: 10 an input port for receiving the gaming signal; a processor that is in communication with the input port and which is responsive to the gaming signal for generating a display signal for driving the display; and an output port for providing the display signal to the display. In one embodiment the display includes a plurality of viewable portions and the 15 display signal selectively drives the viewable portions. In one embodiment the display signal independently drives the viewable portions. In one embodiment the base includes a plurality of base units and the viewable portions are mountable to the units. In one embodiment the gaming device includes a one or more Electronics Gaming 20 Machine (EGMs) and the gaming signal is indicative of the one or more of the EGMs. In one embodiment the plurality of EGMs are clustered into one or more spaced apart banks and each bank includes a plurality of EGMs which are supported by respective base units for allowing a linked game to be played on one or more of the plurality of EGMs. 25 In one embodiment the system includes more than one bank, wherein the banks are interconnected for allowing the linked game to be played on one or more EGM in each bank.

-4 In one embodiment the system includes memory for containing data indicative of the location of an EGM corresponding to the gaming signal. In one embodiment the processor includes: a master controller configured to receive the gaming signal from the input port and 5 for generating a command signal in response to the gaming signal; and one or more slave controllers that are selectively responsive to the command signal for generating the display signal for a respective base unit. In one embodiment each base unit supports a plurality of viewable portions that, in use, are adjacent to respective EGMs. 10 In one embodiment the base includes: a support frame for resting on a support surface; and a support platform that is mountable to the support frame for maintaining the gaming device a predetermined height above the support surface, wherein the support frame defines a cavity. In one embodiment the base includes at least one panel that is mountable to the 15 support frame and which has a mounting formation for receiving one or more of the viewable portions. In one embodiment at least one of the viewable portions includes at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED). In one embodiment the at least one of the viewable portions includes at least one 20 array of spaced apart LEDs for delivering pixellated, visual information. In one embodiment the panel has an outer face and an opposite inner face, wherein: the inner face is engagable with the support frame; and the panel has a thickness between the inner face and the outer face that is within the range of about 5 mm to 100 mm. In one embodiment an acrylic layer is bonded to the outer face. 25 In one embodiment the acrylic layer defines a window for viewing the viewable portion. In one embodiment the window includes a diffuser.

-5 In one embodiment the acrylic layer has a thickness within the range of about 5 to 100 mm. In one embodiment the window is adjacent to the formation. In one embodiment the support platform is substantially horizontal and the panel is 5 substantially vertical. In one embodiment the input port receives a management signal and the processor is responsive to the management signal for generating the display signal. In one embodiment the management signal is provided by a control interface. In one embodiment the gaming device includes a plurality of Electronic Gaming 10 Machines (EGMs) and a central gaming controller that communicates with the EGMs and which provides the gaming signal. In one embodiment the gaming device includes a plurality of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) and a jackpot-controller that communicates with the EGMs and which provides the gaming signal. 15 In one embodiment the jackpot-controller communicates with the EGMs indirectly via a central gaming controller. In one embodiment the base directly underlies the gaming device. According to a further embodiment, there is provided a display system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, the system 20 includes: an input port for receiving a management signal; memory for containing one or both of location data, content data and schedule data; a processor that is in communication with the input and which is responsive to the gaming signal for selectively accessing the location data and the schedule data for 25 generating a display signal for driving the display; and an output port for providing the display signal to the display.

-6 In one embodiment the gaming device includes a plurality of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) that are clustered in a plurality of banks, and the base includes a plurality of spaced apart base units for supporting the EGMs in the respective banks. In one embodiment the processor includes: 5 a master controller configured to receive the management signal from the input port and for generating a command signal in response to the management signal; and one or more slave controllers that are selectively responsive to the command signal for generating the display signal for respective base units. In one embodiment the management signal is indicative of one or more of: 10 scheduling data; content data; and location data. In an embodiment, there is provided a method for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, wherein the gaming device provides a gaming signal and the method includes the steps of: receiving the gaming signal; 15 communicating with the input port and, in response to the gaming signal, generating a display signal for driving the display; and providing the display signal to the display. In another embodiment, there is provided a method for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, the method including the steps 20 of: receiving a management signal; storing one or both of location data, content data and schedule data; communicating with the input and, in response to a gaming signal, selectively accessing the location data and the schedule data for generating a display signal for driving 25 the display; and providing the display signal to the display. In another embodiment, there is provided a method for driving a display that is mounted to a base that supports one or more gaming machines, the method including the steps of: -7 receiving a gaming signal from a jackpot controller, wherein the gaming signal includes identification data indicative of a winning gaming machine; on the basis of the identification data, querying a database to obtain location data indicative of a base that supports the winning gaming machine; 5 providing a signal for driving a display that is mounted to the base corresponding to the location data. In another embodiment, there is provided a method for driving a display that is mounted to a base that supports one or more gaming machines, the method including the steps of 10 receiving event data, wherein the event data is indicative of a base; providing a signal for driving a display that is mounted to the base indicated by the event data. Preferably, the event data is indicative of: a gaming signal from a jackpot controller, wherein the gaming signal includes identification data indicative of a winning 15 gaming machine; or a scheduling signal indicative of content and/or scheduling data. According to an embodiment, there is provided a system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, the system including a processor configured to perform a method as discussed above. In a further embodiment, there is also provided a computer program product for 20 performing a method as discussed above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a display system that is operatively 25 configured with a gaming device; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the display system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a display system for use with a bank of EGMs; -8 Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a viewable portion of the display system of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the base unit of the display system of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5; 5 Figure 7 is a schematic representation of another embodiment a display system; Figure 8 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a display system including a master controller in communication with a music trigger of a jackpot controller; Figure 9 is a data packet from transferring information between for example the 10 display system and a gaming device; Figure 10 is another embodiment of a display system of Figure 1, showing the processor in communication with a management console; Figure I1 is a schematic representation of a user interface that is operable on the management console of Figure 10; 15 Figure 12 is a screen shot of another embodiment of a user interface that is operable on the management console of Figure 10; and Figures 13 to 19 are screen shots of various portions of the user interface of Figure 12. Throughout the drawings and following description, like reference numerals refer 20 to like features. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a display system I for driving a display in the form of three spaced apart elongate LED arrays 2, 3 and 4. The arrays are each mountable to a base, in the form of three spaced apart base units 5, 6 and 7. The base 25 units, in use, collectively support a gaming device 8 that provides a gaming signal via a communication link 10. System 1 also includes an input port 15 for receiving the gaming -9 signal, and a processor 16 that is in communication with port 15 and which is responsive to the gaming signal for generating a display signal for driving arrays 2, 3 and 4. An output port 17 provides the display signal to the display units via a communication link 18. Arrays 2, 3 and 4 are fixedly mounted to respective base units 5, 6 and 7 below and 5 adjacent to gaming device 4. More particularly, arrays 2, 3 and 4 extend substantially horizontally. In other embodiments, the arrays are other than elongate - for example, in some embodiments the arrays are generally square, circular or an irregular shape - and/or other than substantially horizontally extending. In the present embodiment, the display signal selectively drives all of the arrays, 10 although in other embodiments less than all of the arrays are driven by the display signal. It will be understood that in this description, in the absence of the context clearly requiring otherwise, the term " selectively drives ... the arrays" refers to the ability of the display signal to simultaneously drive any one or more of the arrays, whether those arrays are driven in the same or a different manner. For example, in this embodiment the display 15 signal is able to have the same or different content displayed simultaneously on different arrays, or to only drive one or two of the arrays simultaneously. In further embodiments, the arrays are mutually exclusively driven with respect to content or time. As used herein, the term "drive", and variants such as "driven" or "driving", should 20 be read broadly to include any method of causing a display device to display information on a screen. For example, in one embodiment "driving" includes providing one or more signals indicative of instructions to modify the operation of one or more LEDs. As shown in Figure 4, array 2 includes a rectangular 2 x 50 matrix of spaced apart multi-colour Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 19 for delivering pixellated, multi-colour 25 visual information. It will be appreciated that arrays 3 and 4 include corresponding matrices of diodes 19. In other embodiments the matrix is other than 2 x 50, and it will be appreciated that substantially any reasonable configuration of diodes is able to be employed. It will be recognised that, for a given array, the resolution is related to the size of 30 the matrix.

-10 The display includes three viewable portions that, in this embodiment, are defined by arrays 2, 3 and 4. In other embodiments, the viewable portions are defined by more than one of the arrays. In further embodiments, the viewable portions are defined by one or more of the display devices from the following list: an LED; an array of LEDs; a panel 5 display such as an LCD or a plasma display; a CRT display. That is, the viewable portions, in some embodiments, include multiple display devices that are different from each other, while in other embodiments the viewable portions include multiple like display devices. In further embodiments, one or more of arrays 2, 3 and 4 provide monotone visual 10 information. As best shown in Figure 2, processor 16 includes a master controller 20 and three slave controllers 21, 22 and 23. Controller 20 is configured to receive the gaming signal from port 15 via communication link 24. In response to the gaming signal, controller 20 generates a command signal that is selectively addressed to controller 21 and which is 15 broadcast on a network 25. In response to the command signal, controller 21 generates a display signal on a communications bus 26 where it is communicated to port 17, and in particular to a dedicated parallel port 27. In this instance, the display signal is sent through port 27 to array 2 via a communication link 28, thereby driving that part of the display defined by array 2. 20 The term "processor" should be read broadly to include one or more computational components in a broad sense. In some embodiments a processor includes one or more individual processing units, and in some cases further includes one or more memory modules for carrying software instructions that are executable on the one or more individual processing units to perform methods described herein. 25 The terms "input port" and "output port", as used herein, should be read broadly to include any interface to a processor to which a device is connectable. Examples of common ports include, but are not limited to, the following list: serial (RS232 or RS422) port, parallel port, SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) port, Ethernet port, co-axial port, etc. In this embodiment, output port 17 includes a plurality of serial ports 27, 30 and 30 33, as shown in Figure 2. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the output port includes one or multiple parallel or other ports. In some embodiments, the --11 ports are of a similar type, whilst in other embodiments different types of ports are optionally employed. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art with the benefit of the teaching herein that controllers 22 and 23 work similarly for command signals that are addressed to 5 those controllers. That is, controller 22 communicates the display signal to port 30 to drive array 3, while controller 23 communications the display signal to port 33 to drive array 4. The term "gaming device", as used herein, should be read broadly to include individual EGMs, and collective gaming environments defined by a plurality of individual EGMs optionally interlinked, and optionally combined with subsidiary components such as 10 jackpot controllers. In some embodiments, the EGMs are linked via an external linked game controller thereby to allow centralised monitoring of gaming and administrative functionalities. In other embodiments, the EGMs are not linked, and operate independently of one another. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many different configurations are possible and that the teachings herein are equally applicable to any such 15 configuration. In some embodiments, the gaming device includes one or more terminals of a multi-terminal gaming machine (MTGM). In the embodiment of Figure 3, the gaming device includes three EGMs, identified by reference numerals 34, 35 and 36. These EGMs are clustered into a bank and co located on a single base unit 5. The gaming device also includes jackpot controller 37, 20 which communicates with the EGMs via network 38 for providing a linked game that is playable via each of EGMs 34, 35 and 36. Jackpot controller 37 also communicates with jackpot display 39 via a separate communications link 40. In practice, a player plays a single one of EGMs 34, 35 and 36, and, in the course of playing this machine, is provided with a chance to win a jackpot prize. Whether or not a jackpot prize is to be awarded to a 25 particular player (or more specifically, in relation to a particular EGM) is determined by controller 37. The magnitude and/or nature of the prizes are optionally displayed via display 39. In other embodiments, the number of EGMs supported by a given base unit varies. For example, in some cases there is a 1:1 relationship, between machines and bases, whilst 30 in other embodiments there is an X: I relationship, where X is an integer greater than 1.

-12 Slave controller 21 is, in this embodiment, spaced apart from master controller 20 and is physically mounted onto and/or inside of base unit 5. The slave controller directly drives array 2 by sending the display signal through parallel port 27 and communication link 28. In this embodiment, as illustrated, each base unit has a single mounted array, and 5 a single slave controller drives this array. Master controller 20 communicates with jackpot controller 37 via communication link 40, and communicates with slave controller 21 via network 25. In some embodiments, slave controller 21 is not mounted directly to base unit 5, and is instead mounted or provided at a location spaced apart from and located proximal 10 with respect to the base unit. Additionally, in some embodiments the slave controller is collocated with master controller 20, or integrated with the master controller. In further embodiments, more than one array is mounted to the base unit and a corresponding slave controller drives each array, or a single slave controller drives multiple arrays. In yet other embodiments, the slave controller is collocated with the array, or integrated with the array. 15 In some embodiments, master controller 20 additionally includes a display, for example for diagnostic purposes. In other embodiments, slave controller 21 includes a display, and in yet other embodiments, both the master and slave controllers include displays, for diagnostic or other purposes. In some practical environments, communication between EGMs 34, 35 and 36 and 20 jackpot controller 37 is regulated by law, or by a regulatory body. That is, restrictions are placed on the usage of network 38. In some cases, any device that communicates with an EGM and directly obtains data from it must obtain approval from a regulatory body. This inherently impacts on the cost and flexibility of third party gaming related devices. However, as shown in Figure 3, master controller 20 is not directly connected to EGMs 34, 25 35 and 36 through network 38, and therefore does not obtain the gaming signal directly from the EGMs. Rather, the gaming signal is obtained indirectly via jackpot controller 37 through communications link 40. This being so, in at least some jurisdictions, display system I is not significantly affected by regulatory issues, as discussed above. It will be appreciated that this provides a practically advantageous state of affairs. 30 In other embodiments, master controller 20 of display system 1 directly obtains the gaming signal from EGMs 34, 35 and 36 via for example network 38. Although this, at - 13 least in some jurisdictions, leads to a need for regulatory approval, in some embodiments this is not a significant detriment. In such an embodiment, slave controller 21 includes at least one port for communication with the EGM. In response to the gaming signal obtained directly from the EGM, the slave controller generates a display signal and outputs 5 the display signal to the array. In other embodiments, the display signal is generated in response to a combination of signals from a combination of sources, including the gaming signal from the EGM and other signals relayed via the master controller. Jackpot controller 37 periodically identifies a winning EGM, and provides a gaming signal indicative of this winning EGM and/or a corresponding winning outcome 10 via link 40 to the jackpot display. This gaming signal is received by master controller 20, and this master controller is responsive to the gaming signal for driving one or more of the arrays, for example by instructing one or more of the slave controllers. In some embodiments system I includes a component for monitoring signals in communication link 40, and this is optionally either a passive or active component. In some embodiments 15 system I is coupled to jackpot controller 37 (for example by communication link 40), and both system I and display 39 received signals that originate at controller 37. The term "gaming signal" as used herein should be read broadly to include any signal that is provided through any port of a gaming device. As illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 7, the gaming signal typically originates from jackpot 20 controller 37, and is used to drive the display information shown on jackpot display 39. Display system 1, in some embodiments, uses this signal as an input to further drive arrays 2, 3 and 4. However, as noted above, in some embodiments, the gaming signal is taken directly from the EGM, while in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the gaming signal is taken from a music trigger (as will be discussed further below). 25 Other banks corresponding to controllers 22 and 23 operate in a similar manner to that described above with respect to controller 21. That is, master controller 20 receives the gaming signal from link 40 and in turn communicates with controllers 22 and 23 via network 25 to drive arrays 3 and 4 respectively. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, each base unit 5 includes a support frame 41, which 30 defines a cavity 42. In use, the base unit typically rests on a support surface such as a floor 43. A substantially horizontal support platform 44 is mountable to the frame for -14 maintaining EGMs 34, 35 and 36 a predetermined height above the floor. Front panel 45 is vertically mountable onto the support frame, and has an inner face 46 and an opposite outer face 47. The inner face is engageable with the support frame 41 and, together with the outer face 47, defines a thickness of about 5 mm to 100 mm. Array 2 is presently mounted 5 to a mounting formation in the form of a slot in the outer face 47 of the panel. As best shown in Figure 6, slave controller 21 is disposed within cavity 42, and drives array 2 by communications link 28. In the context of this specification, the term "mount" and variants such as "mounted" and "mountable" etc should be read broadly to include mounting in the sense of 10 attaching one component with respect to another component, either fixedly or removably, internally or externally. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that base units 6 and 7 are similarly configured to base unit 5. It will be further appreciated that panel thicknesses other than 5 mm to 100 mm are optionally employed. In other embodiments, the slave controller is 15 mounted other than in cavity 42, for example spaced apart from the base unit, adjacent to the base unit, or resting on top of support surface 44. In still other embodiments each LED 19 communicates with the slave driver individually, or a separate slave controller drives each LED. In addition to the embodiments above, which describe some of the various 20 combinations of hardware elements of the invention, there is also provided a method of driving a display that is mounted to a base that supports one or more gaming machines. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: - receiving a gaming signal from a jackpot controller, wherein the gaming signal includes identification data indicative of a winning gaming machine; 25 - on the basis of the identification data, querying a database to obtain location data indicative of a base that supports the winning gaming machine; m providing a signal for driving a display that is mounted to the base corresponding to the location data.

-15 In other embodiments, the method includes the steps of - receiving event data, wherein the event data is indicative of a base; - providing a signal for driving a display that is mounted to the base indicated by the event data. 5 The signal is a gaming signal this is provided by a jackpot controller. In this embodiment, the gaming signal includes one of: " identification data indicative of a winning gaming machine; or " a scheduling signal indicative of content and/or scheduling data. It will be appreciated that, for some embodiments, these methods will be carried out by one 10 of the "hardware embodiments", or a combination thereof, discussed above. However, for other embodiments, an appropriately configured processor or a computer program product will carry out the described methods. Acrylic layer 48 is bonded to outer face 47 of panel 45. The Acrylic layer defines a window 49 adjacent to array 2 such that the LEDs 19 are viewable. In this embodiment, 15 the window includes a diffuser, which is configured to diffuse light emanating from LEDs 19. The acrylic layer preferably has a thickness within the range of less than about 20 mm, however it will be appreciated that other thicknesses may also be utilised. As used herein, the term "diffuser" describes any component that causes diffusion of light. That is, a device through which light emanating from the LEDs is spread through the air adjacent to 20 the diffuser. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in other embodiments, the window is a substantially clear window for providing a protective layer through which a conventional display may be viewed. The bonding of acrylic layer 48 onto the outer face 47 gives the panel a pleasing 25 glass-like appearance, however without the costs and/or complications associated with the use of glass. It will be appreciated that, in general, glass is not suitable as a material for constructing a base unit for gaming machines as it is readily damaged, and does not -16 provide adequate strength to support a gaming machine. Although some thicknesses and grades of glass may be suitable, they are typically expensive, and as such less preferable. In some embodiments, the acrylic layer 48 is bonded to panel 45 by firstly spraying a layer of adhesive onto outer surface 47. Acrylic is then laid over the adhesive coated 5 outer surface and cut substantially to size. Finally, pressure is applied to the acrylic layer, for example by using a high-pressure roller. In other embodiments, the acrylic layer is over cut so that it is larger than the underlying panel, and subsequently buffed or cut down to size when after the bonding process. In still further embodiments, after an acrylic layer has been bonded onto a panel, the edge of the panel is further sealed using edge-band 10 sealing. According to another aspect of the invention, Figure 7 shows a control interface in the form of server 50 in communication with display system I via communication link 51. Server 50 provides a management signal to processor 16 and, in response, the processor generates a display signal for driving viewable portion 2. In this embodiment, the 15 management signal is indicative of one or more of scheduling data, content data and location data, which, in this embodiment is stored on a non-volatile memory of the server. Although only a single server is shown in Figure 7, it will be appreciated that multiple servers are possible, each responsible for one or more of the scheduling data, content data or location data, individually or in combination. Additionally, in some 20 embodiments, the memory for storing the data is volatile, and in other embodiments, the memory is not associated with the server, but another component of display system 1. In addition to EGMs 34, 35 and 36 and associated base unit 5, Figure 7 also shows a second bank of EGMs 52, 53 and 54. These EGMs are supported by base unit 6, which is similarly configured to base unit 5. That is, slave controller 22, out put port 30 and array 25 3 are disposed within base unit 6. EGMs 52, 53 and 54 communicate with jackpot controller 37 via network 38 and slave controller 22 communicates with master controller 20 via network 25. The operation of the management signal provided by server 50 is best illustrated using the following examples.

- 17 Example I - the gaming venue is promoting a certain theme. Server 50 provides display system I with content data indicative of the theme, as well as scheduling data, causing viewable portion 2 to display the required content at the required time. A theme is in some embodiments identified by a particular colour scheme. 5 Example 2 - the gaming venue is running a promotion. Server 50 includes a random generator for randomly generating a management signal indicative of location and content data. The management signal causes processor 16 to generate a display signal for a specific bank of EGMs corresponding to the location data, for example to indicate that a promotion prize has been won by one or more of the EGMs on that bank, or more 10 specifically by the player or players of those one or more EGMs. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that is not limited to the examples provided above. It will also be appreciated that the display system is not limited to two banks of EGMs, but any number of banks, which are interconnected either via networks 38 or 25, or via dedicated communications links. Additionally, in some embodiments there is 15 a 1:1 relationship between slave controllers and EGMs. According to an aspect of the embodiment in Figure 7, communications link 25 connects master controller 20 with slave controllers 21 and 22 using a serial connection, such the RS 485. In other embodiments, other standard or non-standard connections are used, for example RS232, RS422, parallel, Ethernet; or using a topology such as Echelon. 20 In this embodiment, information is passed uni-directionally from master controller 20 to slave controller 21 or 22. Although in this embodiment the slave controller is only capable of uni-directional communication - that is, receiving information from the master controller - it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the slave controller is capable of two-way communications. 25 In this embodiment, information is communicated across the physical serial link via a packetised protocol. Each data packet includes information such as a node ID, a pattern ID, checksum information and synchronisation information, as shown in Figure 9. It will also be appreciated that the data packets are not limited to containing the listed information, but any amount or type of information, and that the information may be 30 embodied in other forms, for example, in an embodiment, the synchronisation information is in the form of a timestamp or a "heartbeat".

-18 As implemented in this embodiment, the packetised protocol is a proprietary protocol. Each slave controller forms part of a node that has an individual node ID. Each packet can therefore be addressed to a specific slave controller by means of the node ID. In an embodiment, the display system typically identifies the base unit of the bank 5 corresponding to an outcome of an event from the gaming signal, such as a player on an EGM winning a jackpot. The master controller then correlates the wining EGM with the appropriate node ID of the associated slave controller. Data packets addressed with this node ID are then sent to the appropriate node. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, packetised protocols other than a 10 proprietary protocol are used. Examples of some common packetised protocols include TCP/IP SCSI3-Generic Packetised Protocol, and Sequence Packet Protocol, among others. It will also be appreciated that nodes on a network are identifiable by means other than using node IDs, such as by using IP addresses, MAC addresses, or other addressing protocols or naming conventions known to those skilled in the art. 15 In an embodiment, predetermined pattern information, which determines the information displayed on the display, is stored on the display system. In some embodiments, the predetermined pattern information is stored on the slave controller, for example in a memory device. When an event such as a player winning a jackpot is confirmed via the gaming signal, the master controller selects a pattern corresponding to 20 the event, and sends the associated pattern ID to the slave controller. The slave controller determines the correct pattern to display using the pattern ID, and sends this information to the array, causing the array to display the desired information. In some embodiments, the pattern data is not stored in the display system, but rather on a separate device. In such embodiments, a technician periodically updates 25 patterns in the display system by connecting the separate device to the display system. In some embodiments, patterns are updated daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or at any other predetermined interval. In yet other embodiments, patterns are stored in the master controller, and rather than, or in addition to, providing the pattern ID to the slave controller, actual pattern data is included in the packet or packets. In for example the 30 embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, patterns are stored in server 50, and uploaded to -19 the display system as necessary. Alternatively, patterns are stored remotely, and are downloaded by the server or directly by the display system. In another embodiment, display system I is synchronised to music trigger 55 of jackpot controller 37, as shown in Figure 8. Master controller 20 receives a gaming signal 5 including content data indicative of the beat of the music from music trigger 70, as well as timing and location data from server 50. In response to the gaming signal, master controller 20 generates a command signal which is sent to a plurality of slave controllers 21. In turn, the slave controller generates a display signal which selectively drives the displays in synchronisation with the jackpot music. That is, for example, lights flash in 10 time with music that is played. As shown in Figure 8, in some embodiments, a given controller 57 is both a slave controller and a master controller. That is, controller 57 is arranged in a hierarchical tree structure such that slave controller 57 acts as the master controller for slave controllers 58, which drive the displays 59 in a similar manner as described above with respect to slave 15 controller 21 and displays 56. It will be appreciated that the present display system has many advantages over existing display systems. As discussed above, by obtaining the gaming signal from the display port of the jackpot controller, or from the music trigger, rather than directly through the EGM, there is no need to obtain regulatory approval in some jurisdictions. The 20 use a LED matrix array also provides advantages in terms of cost, power, ease of control, and ease of installation. The systems of various embodiments are also highly scalable, particularly where the slave controllers are simple logic devices, and/or easily concealed within the base unit. The slave controllers do not generally require large amounts of processing power given that the bulk of processing onus resides with the master controller. 25 Other advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Referring to Figure 8, in use, display system I obtains a gaming signal from gaming device 8 and, based on this signal, outputs a display signal to drive LED arrays 59. As explained above, in some embodiments, the display is responsive to both the gaming signal and a management signal from server 50. In an embodiment, the display signal 30 causes the LED array to alternately repeatedly activate and deactivate in a cyclic fashion. In other embodiments, the LED array is always on in a specific colour. In further -20 embodiments, the display signal causes LED array to display a sequential chasing effect, in a single, or multiple colours. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other types of such effects are achievable using the display system disclosed herein. In some embodiments effects are implemented as part of a promotion whereby a winning 5 machine is identified. For example, in one embodiment a pair of chain effects commence at spaced apart base units corresponding to spaced apart machines, and these chain effects converge towards a base unit corresponding to an identified "winning" machine. Although the above embodiments have been described by particular reference to hardware components, other embodiments take the form of software components for 10 providing corresponding functionalities. Still other embodiments provides computer readable carrier that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method for driving a display. In such an embodiment, processor 16 executes software instructions to obtain a gaming signal from gaming device 8 via communication link 22 and, in response to the 15 gaming signal, output a display signal to a display via communications link 18. As shown in the Figure 10 embodiment, the master controller includes at least one communications port 60 that is connected to a management console 61, which executes management software for managing display system 1. The management software includes user interface 62, one example of which is shown in Figure 11. In this embodiment, the 20 user interface includes modules for scheduling, pattern design, as well as information regarding the specific nodes that the scheduling and pattern designs are applied to. Another embodiment of the user interface is shown in Figure 12. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the screen shots depicted in Figures 12 to 19 are includes for illustrative purposes, by way of example only. 25 Main screen 62 includes two areas, status and control area 63, and colour pattern display area 64. The status and control area consists of several smaller sections, which control various features of the demonstration. Figure 13A shows Comm Port section 65, which allows the user to select the desired communications port used to communicate between console 61 and master -21 controller 20 from the pull-down menu 66. Once the desired communications port is selected, pressing start button 67 initiates the communications. Heartbeat section 68 is shown in Figure 13B. The heartbeat section configured to notify the user of the status of the communication between user interface 62 and display 5 system 1. When master controller 20 is in communication with the management software, Master Controller Heartbeat checkbox 69 flashes. Conversely, if the master controller is not in communication with the management software, the software will attempt to establish communications and Master Computer Heartbeat checkbox 70 flashes, and a message flashes in messaging area 71, for example with a message "Controller Lost" being 10 displayed. Also included is Toggle Heartbeat button 72, which allows the user to toggle console management on and off. Pattern Download and Start section 73, which is shown in Figure 13B, downloads predetermined patterns into master controller 20. In this embodiment, two patterns can be downloaded onto the master controller at each time by pressing buttons Pattern I and 15 Pattern 2, referenced respectively as 74 and 75. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, any number of arbitrary patterns are uploadable to the master controller at any time. Jackpot Triggers section 76 initiates one of the several built in jackpot patterns. In this embodiment, there are four jackpot patterns, as indicated by buttons Jackpot I to 20 jackpot 4, respectively referenced as 77, 78, 79 and 80. However, it will be appreciated that more or less than four jackpot patterns can be initiated at any time. Calendar Events section 81 allows the user to simulate a calendar event by entering a time and date in the appropriate fields 82 and 83 respectively. This feature allows the system to be set up to run specific patterns at certain time slots during the day, for example 25 for testing purposes. In other embodiments, master controller 20 is pre-configured with time and date information in advance, such that the display runs in a predetermined manner for a specific cycle, such as an hour, a day, a week, a month, or a year etc. In another embodiment, the display system runs continuously until it is reconfigured. Colour Selector section 84 allows the user to select a start colour using Choose 30 Start Colour button 85, and an end colour using Choose End Colour button 86. Pressing -22 Show Blend button 87 then shows the user how a particular colour blend looks, via window 88. In other embodiments, other options are additionally available to the user, for example selecting a mode such as blend 89 or flash 90, inputting a time frame and length and adding the pattern to a current working pattern. When the operator is satisfied with the 5 colour blend, Apply Blend 91 selects that blend. In this embodiment, the colour pattern display area 64 includes several tabbed panels 88, each of which shows an example of the patterns that have been loaded into the controllers. By selecting a tab, the colour pattern as a colour pattern sequence or as a time frame sequence is presented to the user. 10 Some examples of the patterns used in this particular embodiment is shown in Figures 14 to 19, and described in the following section. However it will be appreciated that many other patterns are available and that the patterns used are not limited to those herein described. Pattern 1: A simple pattern consisting of blends through the whole spectrum. 15 Pattern 2: A red/orange/yellow themed blend. Jackpot 1: A 20 second pattern consisting of a 500mS red to black blend. Jackpot 2: A 20 second fast 500mS double flash from black to green and back to black Jackpot 3: A 20 second pattern showing the differences between a flash pattern and 20 a blend pattern using a 300mS blue to black pattern. Jackpot 4: A 20 second pattern that uses a simple 300mS RGB flash and blend that is stepped from one controller to the next to show the effects produced by "scrolling" colours through each controller. Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it 25 will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

-23 One embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors, e.g., one or more processors that are part of web server arrangement. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, 5 embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer readable carrier medium, e.g., a computer program product. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause the processor or processors to implement a method. 10 Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium. 15 The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall 20 also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, 25 magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus subsystem. Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. For example, the term "carrier medium" shall 30 accordingly be taken to included, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, a computer product embodied in optical and magnetic media, a medium bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of one or more processors and representing a set of - 24 instructions that when executed implement a method, a carrier wave bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of the one or more processors and representing the set of instructions a propagated signal and representing the set of instructions, and a transmission medium in a network bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one 5 processor of the one or more processors and representing the set of instructions. It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or 10 programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the 15 embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this 20 disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, FIG., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various 25 inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with 30 each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

-25 Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the 5 claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a 10 means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without 15 these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects 20 so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when 25 used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding 30 others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

-26 Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the 5 invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (41)

1. A display system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, wherein the gaming device provides a gaming signal and the system includes: 5 an input port for receiving the gaming signal; a processor that is in communication with the input port and which is responsive to the gaming signal for generating a display signal for driving the display; and an output port for providing the display signal to the display.

2. A display system according to claim I wherein the display includes a plurality of 10 viewable portions and the display signal selectively drives the viewable portions.

3. A display system according to claim 2 wherein the display signal independently drives the viewable portions.

4. A display system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the base includes a plurality of base units and the viewable portions are mountable to the units. 15

5. A display system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gaming device includes a one or more Electronics Gaming Machine (EGMs) and the gaming signal is indicative of the one or more of the EGMs.

6. A display system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of EGMs are clustered into one or more spaced apart banks and each bank includes a plurality of EGMs which are 20 supported by respective base units for allowing a linked game to be played on one or more of the plurality of EGMs.

7. A display system according to claim 6 including more than one bank, wherein the banks are interconnected for allowing the linked game to be played on one or more EGM in each bank. 25

8. A display system according to any one of claims 5 to 7 including memory for containing data indicative of the location of an EGM corresponding to the gaming signal.

9. A display system according to claim 4 wherein the processor includes: -28 a master controller configured to receive the gaming signal from the input port and for generating a command signal in response to the gaming signal; and one or more slave controllers that are selectively responsive to the command signal for generating the display signal for a respective base unit. 5

10. A display system according to claim 9 wherein each base unit supports a plurality of viewable portions that, in use, are adjacent to respective EGMs.

11. A display system according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the base includes: a support frame for resting on a support surface; and a support platform that is mountable to the support frame for maintaining the gaming device a predetermined height above the 10 support surface, wherein the support frame defines a cavity.

12. A display system according to claim 11 wherein the base includes at least one panel that is mountable to the support frame and which has a mounting formation for receiving one or more of the viewable portions.

13. A display system according to claim 12 wherein at least one of the viewable 15 portions includes at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED).

14. A display system according to claim 13 wherein the at least one of the viewable portions includes at least one array of spaced apart LEDs for delivering pixellated, visual information.

15. A display system according to claim 12 wherein the panel has an outer face and an 20 opposite inner face, wherein: the inner face is engagable with the support frame; and the panel has a thickness between the inner face and the outer face that is within the range of about 5 mm to 100 mm.

16. A display system according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein an acrylic layer is bonded to the outer face. 25

17. A display system according to claim 16 wherein the acrylic layer defines a window for viewing the viewable portion.

18. A display system according to claim 17 wherein the window includes a diffuser. - 29

19. A display system according to any one of claims 16 to claim 18 wherein the acrylic layer has a thickness within the range of about 5 to 100 mm.

20. A display system according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the window is adjacent to the formation. 5

21. A display system according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the support platform is substantially horizontal and the panel is substantially vertical.

22. A display system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the input port receives a management signal and the processor is responsive to the management signal for generating the display signal. 10

23. A display system according to claim 22 wherein the management signal is provided by a control interface.

24. A display system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gaming device includes a plurality of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) and a central gaming controller that communicates with the EGMs and which provides the gaming signal. 15

25. A display system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gaming device includes a plurality of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) and a jackpot controller that communicates with the EGMs and which provides the gaming signal.

26. A display system according to claim 25 wherein the jackpot-controller communicates with the EGMs indirectly via a central gaming controller. 20

27. A display system according to claim any one of the preceding claims wherein the base directly underlies the gaming device.

28. A display system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, the system includes: an input port for receiving a management signal; 25 memory for containing one or both of location data, content data and schedule data; a processor that is in communication with the input and which is responsive to the gaming signal for selectively accessing the location data and the schedule data for generating a display signal for driving the display; and -30 an output port for providing the display signal to the display.

29. A display system according to claim 28 wherein the gaming device includes a plurality of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) that are clustered in a plurality of banks, and the base includes a plurality of spaced apart base units for supporting the EGMs in the 5 respective banks.

30. A display system according to claim 29 wherein the processor includes a master controller configured to receive the management signal from the input port and for generating a command signal in response to the management signal; and one or more slave controllers that are selectively responsive to the command signal 10 for generating the display signal for respective base units.

31. A display system according to claim 30 wherein the management signal is indicative of one or more of: scheduling data; content data; and location data.

32. A method for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, wherein the gaming device provides a gaming signal and the method 15 includes the steps of: receiving the gaming signal; communicating with the input port and, in response to the gaming signal, generating a display signal for driving the display; and providing the display signal to the display. 20

33. A method for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, the method including the steps of: receiving a management signal; storing one or both of location data, content data and schedule data; communicating with the input and, in response to a gaming signal, selectively 25 accessing the location data and the schedule data for generating a display signal for driving the display; and providing the display signal to the display.

34. A method for driving a display that is mounted to a base that supports one or more gaming machines, the method including the steps of: -31 receiving a gaming signal from a jackpot controller, wherein the gaming signal includes identification data indicative of a winning gaming machine; on the basis of the identification data, querying a database to obtain location data indicative of a base that supports the winning gaming machine; 5 providing a signal for driving a display that is mounted to the base corresponding to the location data.

35. A method for driving a display that is mounted to a base that supports one or more gaming machines, the method including the steps of receiving event data, wherein the event data is indicative of a base; 10 providing a signal for driving a display that is mounted to the base indicated by the event data.

36. A method according to claim 2 wherein the event data is indicative of: a gaming signal from a jackpot controller, wherein the gaming signal includes identification data indicative of a winning gaming machine; or 15 a scheduling signal indicative of content and/or scheduling data.

37. A system for driving a display that is mountable to a base that, in use, supports a gaming device, the system including a processor configured to perform a method according to any preceding claim.

38. A computer program product for performing a method according to any one of 20 claims 32 to 36.

39. A display system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

40. A method substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. 25

41. A computer program product substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.