Wagering Game system Backlight Intensity Control

Abstract

A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a display assembly having a preformed image and a backlight having adjustable brightness. In one embodiment, display assembly comprises preprinted artwork or graphics, or is an illuminated object such as a button or bezel light. Further embodiments include light sensors to sense ambient light or to measure the illumination of a backlit display, and means to adjust the backlight brightness accordingly.

1 . A computerized wagering game system, comprising:
 a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and   at least one display assembly having a preformed image and a backlight having adjustable brightness.   
   
   
       2 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , wherein the preprinted image comprises a semitransparent static printed image. 
   
   
       3 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , wherein the backlight comprises at least one of incandescent, fluorescent, cold cathode, or light-emitting diode lights. 
   
   
       4 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , wherein the backlight brightness is adjustable as a configuration parameter via a graphical user control setting. 
   
   
       5 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , wherein the backlight brightness is preset based on the relative opacity of the preprinted image. 
   
   
       6 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , further comprising a light sensor operable to detect the brightness of light emitted from at least one backlit preprinted display assembly. 
   
   
       7 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 6 , wherein the wagering game system is operable to match backlight intensity among a plurality of display panel assemblies by using the light sensor and adjusting the backlight brightness of each display panel assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , further comprising a network interface operable to receive backlight brightness data specifying the adjusted brightness of the backlight 
   
   
       9 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , further comprising an ambient light sensor operable to detect the ambient light in the wagering game system's environment such that the wagering game system is operable to adjust at least one backlight brightness based on the sensed ambient light. 
   
   
       10 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 1 , wherein the display assembly comprises at least one of an art panel, a topbox, an illuminated button, a mechanical slot reel, a mechanical reel front lamp, a bezel light, and a backlit monitor. 
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a computerized wagering game system, comprising:
 presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered; and   controlling the brightness of at least one a display assembly having a preformed image and a backlight having adjustable brightness.   
   
   
       12 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , wherein the preprinted image comprises a semitransparent static printed image. 
   
   
       13 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , wherein the backlight comprises at least one of incandescent, fluorescent, cold cathode, or light-emitting diode lights. 
   
   
       14 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting the backlight brightness by setting a configuration parameter via a graphical user control setting. 
   
   
       15 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , further comprising presetting the backlight brightness based on the relative opacity of the preprinted image. 
   
   
       16 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , further comprising detecting the brightness of light emitted from at least one backlit preprinted display assembly via a light sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 16 , further comprising matching backlight intensity among a plurality of display panel assemblies by using the light sensor and adjusting the backlight brightness of each display panel assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving backlight brightness data specifying the adjusted brightness of the backlight via a network connection. 
   
   
       19 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , further comprising an ambient light sensor operable to detect the ambient light in the wagering game system's environment such that the wagering game system is operable to adjust at least one backlight brightness based on the sensed ambient light. 
   
   
       20 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 11 , wherein the display assembly comprises at least one of an art panel, a topbox, an illuminated button, a mechanical slot reel, a mechanical reel front lamp, a bezel light, and a backlit monitor. 
   
   
       21 . A computerized wagering game system, comprising:
 a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered;   at least one ambient light sensor operable to measure the ambient light in the vicinity of the wagering game system; and   at least one display assembly comprising a backlight operable to automatically adjust a light parameter based on a measurement from the ambient light sensor.   
   
   
       22 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one ambient light sensor comprises a light intensity sensor. 
   
   
       23 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 22 , wherein the backlight is operable to adjust the brightness of the backlight based on a measurement from the light intensity sensor. 
   
   
       24 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one ambient light sensor comprises a light color sensor. 
   
   
       25 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 24 , wherein the backlight is operable to adjust the color of the backlight based on a measurement form the light color sensor. 
   
   
       26 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 21 , wherein the backlight illuminates a display panel. 
   
   
       27 . The computerized wagering game system of  claim 21 , wherein the backlight illuminates at least one surface in the vicinity of a display panel comprising a part of the display assembly. 
   
   
       28 . A method of operating a computerized wagering game system, comprising:
 presenting a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered;   measuring the ambient light in the vicinity of the wagering game system via at least one light sensor; and   automatically adjusting a backlight parameter based on a measurement from the ambient light sensor.   
   
   
       29 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one ambient light sensor comprises a light intensity sensor and wherein the backlight is operable to adjust the brightness of the backlight based on a measurement from the light intensity sensor. 
   
   
       30  The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one ambient light sensor comprises a light color sensor, and wherein the backlight is operable to adjust the color of the backlight based on a measurement form the light color sensor. 
   
   
       31 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 28 , further comprising illuminating a display panel with the backlight. 
   
   
       32 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of  claim 28 , further comprising illuminating at least one surface in the vicinity of a display panel with the backlight. 
   
   
       33 . A machine-readable medium with instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause a computerized wagering game system to:
 present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered;   measure the ambient light in the vicinity of the wagering game system via at least one light sensor; and   automatically adjust a backlight parameter based on a measurement from the ambient light sensor.   
   
   
       34 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one ambient light sensor comprises a light intensity sensor and wherein the backlight is operable to adjust the brightness of the backlight based on a measurement from the light intensity sensor. 
   
   
       35 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one ambient light sensor comprises a light color sensor, and wherein the backlight is operable to adjust the color of the backlight based on a measurement form the light color sensor. 
   
   
       36 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 33 , the instructions when executed further operable to cause the computerized wagering game system to illuminate a display panel with the backlight. 
   
   
       37 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 33 , the instructions when executed further operable to cause the computerized wagering game system to illuminate at least one surface in the vicinity of a display panel with the backlight.