Light and image projection in an amusement device

Abstract

Systems and methods for projecting indirect lighting from a gaming apparatus are provided. One aspect of the invention utilizes projected light to increase a player's desire to play or continue to play the game. In still yet another aspect of the invention, projected indirect light is utilized to enhance the game play of an amusement device. In one such embodiment, light may be projected from underneath the apparatus of a driving game to simulate the ‘under-body glow’ effect used by car customizers. This has the primary effect of creating the appearance of such a customized car but also provides a substantially differentiated presentation of the game. In still yet a further aspect, light projected from a gaming apparatus increases the perceived space occupied by the game. In one embodiment, a distinctive logo is projected onto the wall above and behind a video game.

1 . An arcade-style amusement device comprising: 
 a housing that includes: 
 a control unit;  
 a user control;  
 a display device; and  
   a light source which projects light from the housing onto an external surface that is not in electronic communication with the device.    
   
   
       2 . The amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a colored membrane positioned in-between the light source and the external surface.  
   
   
       3 . The amusement device of  claim 2 , wherein the light passes through a selectively opaque surface, creating a pattern on the external surface.  
   
   
       4 . The amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the external surface is selected from the group consisting of: a wall, a ceiling, the ground, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The amusement device of  claim 4 , wherein the external surface comprises the ground and the amusement device further comprises: 
 a seating apparatus for positioning a user during usage of the amusement device, wherein the light source is positioned substantially beneath the seating apparatus, thereby emitting light from under the seating apparatus to the ground.    
   
   
       6 . The amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit further comprises a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, the computer readable instructions performing the steps comprising of: 
 (a) receiving a signal from a software application being executed by the amusement device;    (b) in response to the signal, adjusting the a light source which projects light from the housing onto the external surface, wherein the adjustment of the light alters the characteristics of the lighting that strikes the surface.    
   
   
       7 . The amusement device of  claim 6 , wherein the lighting characteristics are selected from the group consisting of: brightness, contrast, color, longevity, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The amusement device of  claim 6 , wherein the computer readable instructions further comprise the step of: 
 (c) receiving a signal from a user, and in response to the signal from the user adjusting the a light source which projects light from the housing onto the external surface, wherein the adjustment of the light alters the characteristics of the lighting that strikes the surface.    
   
   
       9 . The amusement device of  claim 1 , where the light passes through a two-dimensional array of computer-controlled shutter elements, creating an image.  
   
   
       10 . The amusement device of  claim 9 , wherein the image is animated.  
   
   
       11 . An amusement device having an apparatus for displaying sequences of animated graphics projected onto an external surface not in electronic communication with the device, the apparatus comprising: 
 a video projector;    an interface for a communicating with a computer readable medium which stores source data for rending animations; and    an interface for communicating with a processor which generates the animations.    
   
   
       12 . The amusement device of  claim 11 , further comprising a computer readable medium for storing source data for rendering the animations.  
   
   
       13 . The amusement device of  claim 11 , further comprising a processor for generating the images.  
   
   
       14 . The amusement device of  claim 11 , further comprising a two-dimensional array of computer-controlled shutter elements, wherein light from the video projector passes through the array to create a static or animated image.  
   
   
       15 . The amusement device of  claim 11 , wherein the external surface is selected from the group consisting of: a wall, a ceiling, the ground, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       16 . An arcade-style amusement device comprising a housing, the housing comprising a control unit, a user control and a display device, the amusement device comprising: 
 a seating apparatus for positioning a user during usage of the amusement device;    a light source which projects light from a portion of the housing onto a surface, wherein the light source is positioned substantially beneath the seating apparatus, thereby emitting light from under the seating apparatus onto a surface, wherein the surface is external to and not in electronic communication with the device; and    a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, the computer readable instructions comprising software that when executed provide a driving simulation application to at least one user.    
   
   
       17 . The amusement device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises a colored membrane positioned in-between the light source and the external surface.  
   
   
       18 . The amusement device of  claim 17 , wherein the light sources projects the light in such a manner to create an appearance that the housing has larger than its physical dimensions.  
   
   
       19 . The amusement device of  claim 16 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further include the steps of: 
 (a) receiving a signal from the application, the signal regarding at least one aspect of driving simulation;    (b) in response to the signal, adjusting the a light source which projects light from the housing onto the external surface, wherein the adjustment of the light is in response to a altered aspect of the driving game, and wherein the adjustment of the light source alters the characteristics of the lighting that strikes the surface.    
   
   
       20 . The amusement device of  claim 19 , wherein the lighting characteristics are selected from the group consisting of: brightness, contrast, color, longevity, and combinations thereof.