Rotatable video display and display method for a gaming machine

Abstract

An apparatus includes a support structure mounted for rotation within a gaming machine cabinet. A display device is mounted on the support structure. The support structure may, for example, comprise a support structure for a reel of a reel-type gaming machine, and the display device may be mounted so that the device makes up at least a portion of the reel peripheral curved surface. In this position, the video display may display one or more of the reel symbols for the reel. A processing device is mounted in the gaming machine cabinet separate from the support structure, so that the processing device does not rotate with the support structure as the support structure rotates in the gaming machine cabinet. A communication path is provided between the processing device and the display device so that data and/or control instructions, that is, display operation information, may be communicated for use in controlling the operation of the display device. A wireless communication link is included in the communication path between the processing device and the display device.

1 . An apparatus including: 
 (a) a first support structure mounted for rotation within a gaming machine cabinet;    (b) a first display device mounted on the first support structure;    (c) a processing device mounted in the gaming machine cabinet separate from the first support structure; and    (d) a first wireless communication link in a communication path between the processing device and the first display device for communicating first display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by the first display device.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a first video processor mounted on the first support structure for receiving the first display operation information and for producing video input signals for the first display device.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first wireless communication link is a radio frequency communication link.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first wireless communication link also communicates addressing information specific to the first display device and wherein the first display operation information is associated with the addressing information specific to the first display device.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the first display operation information is communicated in the form of a TCP/IP communication across the first wireless communication link.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further including: 
 (a) a second support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet;    (b) a second display device mounted on the second support structure; and    (c) a second wireless communication link in a communication path between the processing device and the second display device for communicating second display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by the second display device.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the second display operation information is communicated in the form of a TCP/IP communication across the second wireless communication link.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the first wireless communication path is between a first wireless receiver mounted on the first support structure and a wireless transmitter, and wherein the second wireless communication path is between a second wireless receiver mounted on the second support structure and the wireless transmitter.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including an additional display device mounted on the first support structure, and wherein the first wireless communication link also communicates additional display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by the additional display device.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wireless communication link is an optical communication link.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the optical communication link includes a light path aligned with an axis of rotation of the first support structure.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further including: 
 (a) a second support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet;    (b) a second display device mounted on the second support structure; and    (c) a second wireless communication link in a communication path between the processing device and the second display device for communicating second display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by the second display device.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein: 
 (a) the first wireless communication link includes a first wireless transmitter mounted in a first fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet for transmitting to a first wireless receiver mounted on the first support structure; and    (b) the second wireless communication link includes a second wireless transmitter mounted in a second fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet for transmitting to a second wireless receiver mounted on the second support structure.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus including: 
 (a) a first support structure mounted for rotation within a gaming machine cabinet;    (b) a first display device mounted on the first support structure;    (c) a first wireless transmitter mounted in a first fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet;    (d) a processing device mounted in the gaming machine cabinet and operatively connected to the first wireless transmitter to control the transmission of first display operation information from the first wireless transmitter, the first display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by the first display device; and    (e) a first wireless receiver mounted on the first support structure for receiving the first display operation information transmitted from the first wireless transmitter and directing the first display operation information for use in controlling the graphics produced by the first display device.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including: 
 (a) a second support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet;    (b) a second display device mounted on the second support structure; and    (c) a second wireless receiver mounted on the second support structure for receiving second display operation information transmitted from the first wireless transmitter and directing the second display operation information on for use in controlling the graphics produced by the second display device, and    (d) wherein the processing device also controls the transmission of the second display operation information from the first wireless transmitter.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including: 
 (a) a second support structure mounted for rotation within the gaming machine cabinet;    (b) a second display device mounted on the second support structure;    (c) a second wireless transmitter mounted in a second fixed position in the gaming machine cabinet; and    (d) a second wireless receiver mounted on the second support structure for receiving second display operation information transmitted from the second wireless transmitter and directing the second display operation information on for use in controlling the graphics produced by the second display device, and    (e) wherein the processing device is also operatively connected to the second wireless transmitter to control the transmission of the second display operation information from the second wireless transmitter.    
     
     
         17 . A method including: 
 (a) generating first display operation information, the first display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by a first display device;    (b) transmitting the first display operation information over a first wireless transmission path from a first transmission point within a gaming machine cabinet; and    (c) receiving the first display operation information at a first receiving point within the gaming machine cabinet separated from the first transmission point along the first wireless transmission path.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further including: 
 (a) generating second display operation information, the second display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by a second display device;    (b) transmitting the second display operation information over a second wireless transmission path from the first transmission point within a gaming machine cabinet; and    (c) receiving the second display operation information at a second receiving point within the gaming machine cabinet separated from the first transmission point along the second wireless transmission path.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further including: 
 (a) generating second display operation information, the second display operation information for use in controlling graphics produced by a second display device;    (b) transmitting the second display operation information over a second wireless transmission path from a second transmission point within the gaming machine cabinet, the second transmission point being spaced apart from the first transmission point; and    (c) receiving the second display operation information at a second receiving point within the gaming machine cabinet separated from the second transmission point along the second wireless transmission path.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further including moving the first receiving device about a first rotational axis while the first display operation information is being received at the first receiving device.