Modular visual output component

Abstract

In a first aspect there is provided a modular visual output component for a gaming machine, including a housing, at least one visual output device, an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device, and an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector. The input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration with the modular visual output components abutting one another, whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source.

1 . A visual output component for a gaming machine comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion through which light may emitted from the housing;   a display; and   a light source positioned within the housing at a position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through at least part of the at least one light transmissive portion.   
     
     
         2 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display is a reflective display and the light source is positioned to illuminate a front of the display. 
     
     
         3 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display is a transmissive display and the light source is positioned to illuminate a rear of the display. 
     
     
         4 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the light source is positioned between the display and a reflector located within the housing, such that light emitted from the light source is reflected from the reflector to at least partially illuminate the display. 
     
     
         5 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display is mounted within a recess in the housing. 
     
     
         6 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a substantially circular section except where the display is mounted. 
     
     
         7 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical and comprises circular upper and lower support members with the light transmissive portion mounted therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light transmissive portion comprises a lens. 
     
     
         9 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising an input connector accessible in the region of the lower support member and an output connector accessible in the region of the upper support member. 
     
     
         10 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising a transverse circuit board is mounted within the housing and the connectors are mounted to the transverse circuit board. 
     
     
         11 . A visual output component as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the transverse circuit board is arranged to carry at least some control signals from the input connector to the output connector. 
     
     
         12 . A visual output apparatus for a gaming machine comprising:
 at least one visual output component, each visual output component comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion through which light may emitted from the housing; 
 a display; and 
 a light source positioned within the housing at a position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through at least part of emitted through the at least one light transmissive portion; 
   a controller adapted to supply control signals for each display and each light source to an input connector of one modular visual output component.   
     
     
         13 . A visual output apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  comprising a plurality of modular visual output components connected to one another in abutting relation. 
     
     
         14 . A visual output apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components. 
     
     
         15 . A visual output apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a base unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modular visual output components. 
     
     
         16 . A visual output apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising an intermediate trim component between each adjoining modular visual output component. 
     
     
         17 . A visual output apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a cover member for covering at least the output connector of a modular visual output component furthest from the base unit. 
     
     
         18 . A visual output apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the controller is programmable to specify the number of modular visual output components connected to the controller. 
     
     
         19 . A visual output kit for a gaming machine comprising:
 at least one visual output component, each visual output component comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one light transmissive portion through which light may emitted from the housing; 
 a display; and 
 a light source positioned within the housing at a position where light emitted from the light source will illuminate the display and be separately emitted through at least part of emitted through the at least one light transmissive portion; and 
   a controller adapted to supply control signals for each display and each light source to an input connector of one modular visual output component.   
     
     
         20 . A visual output kit as claimed in  claim 19 , comprising a plurality of modular visual output components connected to one another in abutting relation. 
     
     
         21 . A visual output kit as claimed in  claim 19 , comprising between 2 and 4 modular visual output components. 
     
     
         22 . A visual output kit as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising a base unit adapted to be connected to the input connector of one of the modular visual output components. 
     
     
         23 . A visual output kit as claimed in  claim 19 , comprising one or more intermediate trim components adapted to be placed between each adjoining modular visual output component. 
     
     
         24 . A visual output kit as claimed in  claim 19 , comprising a cover member for covering at least the output connector of a modular visual output component furthest from the base unit. 
     
     
         25 . A visual output kit as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the controller is programmable to specify the number of modular visual output components connected to the controller.