Gaming machine with electro-magnetic interference shielding

Abstract

A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a visual display and a panel. The panel is positioned in front of the display and reveals at least a portion of the display. The machine may include other externally visible devices for facilitating play of the gaming machine. Such devices may, for example, include a bill validator, a coin acceptor, a printer, a card reader, a card reader display, and/or a secondary display. Respective bezels may encompass the panel and such other devices. The panel and the bezels are coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.

1 . A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising: 
 a visual display; and    a panel mounted in front of the display and revealing at least a portion of the display, the panel being coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.    
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is substantially transparent where the panel reveals the portion of the display.  
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes an electromechanical, symbol-bearing reel.  
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the visual display is adapted to display the wagering game.  
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel provides shielding effectiveness of at least  7  dB.  
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is comprised of glass.  
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is coated with a film containing indium tin oxide.  
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 1 , further including a bezel encompassing the panel, the bezel being coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.  
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 1 , further including an externally visible device selected from a group consisting of a bill validator, a coin acceptor, a printer, a card reader, a card reader display, and a secondary display, the device being encompassed by a bezel coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.  
   
   
       10 . A panel for a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the panel being positioned in front of a visual display and revealing at least a portion of the display, the panel being coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.  
   
   
       11 . The panel of  claim 10 , wherein the panel is substantially transparent where the panel reveals the portion of the display.  
   
   
       12 . The panel of  claim 10 , wherein the panel provides shielding effectiveness of at least 7 dB.  
   
   
       13 . The panel of  claim 10 , wherein the panel is comprised of glass.  
   
   
       14 . The panel of  claim 10 , wherein the panel is coated with a film containing indium tin oxide.  
   
   
       15 . An assembly for a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the assembly comprising: 
 a panel positioned in front of a visual display of the machine and revealing at least a portion of the display; and    a bezel encompassing the panel, each of the panel and the bezel being coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.    
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is substantially transparent where the panel reveals the portion of the display.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the panel provides shielding effectiveness of at least 7 dB.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is comprised of glass.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is coated with a film containing indium tin oxide.  
   
   
       20 . A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising: 
 an externally visible device for facilitating play of the gaming machine, the device being selected from a group consisting of a bill validator, a coin acceptor, a printer, a card reader, a card reader display, and a display; and    a bezel encompassing the device, the bezel being coated or impregnated with a conductive material to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference.