AU2010201054B2

AU2010201054B2 - Gaming machine screen partitioning

Info

Publication number: AU2010201054B2
Application number: AU2010201054A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Linley Muir
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-25
Filing date: 2010-03-18
Publication date: 2011-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-27
Also published as: AU2007237178A1; AU2010203057A1; AU2007237178B2; AU2010201054A1; AU2010203057B2

Abstract

A gaming console comprises a display screen and a game controller arranged to allow a 5 player to play a game and awarding a prize or feature if a winning combination results. A mechanical display filter is configured to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The mechanical display filter may have any number of transparent portions, translucent portions or dividers extending at least partially across the display screen or may define any number of apertures. The mechanical display screen may 10 have buttons, including buttons which actuate a touch screen. The display screen can be used to illuminate portions of the mechanical display screen to produce visual effects, including using complex lighting patterns.

Description

P/00/011I Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Gaming machine screen partitioning The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: ia Gaming machine screen partitioning Field of the invention The present invention relates to gaming consoles of the type known as slot machines arranged to play a large variety of card related and other gambling games 5 such as keno or bingo, and in particular the invention provides an improvement to a display used on such a machine. Background of the invention Gaming or poker machines have been well known in the state of New South Wales for many years and have more recently gained considerable popularity 10 throughout Australia, with quite substantial amounts of money wagered on these machines. There is a growing tendency for State and Territory governments to legalise the use of gaming machines and consoles by licensing operators, with resulting revenue gains through licence fees and taxation of money invested. The licensed operation of gaming machines is the subject of State and Territory legislation and regulation. 15 With the growth that has occurred in the gaming machine market there is intense competition between manufacturers to supply the various existing and new venues. Gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games and gaming consoles which are visually pleasing to, and readily understood and usable by, players. Further, with the passage of time players can become bored or dissatisfied with the appearance and 20 functionality of existing machines. To prevent this, it is desirable to provide either new machines with a new appearance and functionality or means for reconfiguring existing machines to have a new appearance and functionality. Current gaming consoles typically use one or more displays, generally either LCD or CRT, although other technologies such as electroluminescent displays have 25 also been used. Suitable design and use of such displays can make a console more visually pleasing to a user, both from a distance and while using the console.

2 Gaming machine manufacturers such as Silicon Gaming and Ainsworth Gaming Technology have used large displays oriented in a portrait mode. A potential problem with these displays is that the player of the machine can be confused as to where to look. In machines where there are two mechanically 5 distinguished displays, a primary display and a secondary display, it is very easy for the player to understand how the game is played across the two displays. As large displays become lower in cost it becomes feasible and in some cases preferable to use a single display instead of multiple displays. Touch screens are used on gaming console displays to enable the user to 0 interact with the display. In some cases a button will exist both as a physical button for the player to depress, as well as a touchable virtual button on the display itself. In the case of a physical button for the player to depress, screen marking and degradation associated with touch screens is reduced. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like 15 which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 20 Summary of the invention The present invention provides a gaming machine comprising: a display means, such as a display screen; a game control means, such as a game controller, arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to enable a user to play a game displayed on the 25 display means and, if one of a plurality of winning combinations result, a prize or feature is awarded or paid; and a mechanical display filter comprising a frame and a dividing member arranged to visually distinguish at least two portions of said display screen from one another, wherein an illuminable portion of the mechanical 3 display filter is illuminated by an illuminating portion of the display screen to produce a visual effect. Also herein described is a gaming system comprising at least one display means, such as a display screen, and at least one game control means, such as a 5 game controller, arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a respective game displayed on each display means and, if one of a plurality of winning combinations result, the gaming system pays or awards a prize or feature, the gaming system being characterised in that at least one of said display means has associated therewith a mechanical 0 display filter configured to visually distinguish at least a first portion of that display means from a second portion of that display means. The game control means, or part thereof, may be remote from the display screen and may form part of a central controller connected to a plurality of gaming consoles. .5 Each of a plurality of display means may have associated therewith a respective mechanical display filter. Each such mechanical display filter may adopt one or more of the features set out herein. The plurality of display means may be controlled so as to implement independent games, such that a game played by a first user on a first display means is unrelated to a second game played by a 20 second user on a second display means. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of display means may be controlled so as to implement one or more interconnected games, such that events in a first game played on a first display means may influence the events of a second game played on a second display means, for example in the manner set out in Australian Patent Application No. 25 2003200343, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also herein described is a display assembly for a gaming console, the display assembly comprising: 4 a display means, such as a display screen, for displaying images under the control of a game control means, such as a game controller; and a mechanical display filter configured to visually distinguish at least a first portion of the display means from a second portion of the display means. 5 In embodiments of the present invention, at least the first portion of the display means, for example, a first portion and second portion of the display means, may comprise an unobscured portion of the display means. In further embodiments, the mechanical display filter may comprise at least a first transparent portion covering and defining the first portion of the display means. 0 Alternatively the mechanical display filter may comprise at least a first aperture situated over and defining the first portion of the display means. Similarly, the mechanical display filter may comprise a second transparent portion, or further transparent portions, covering and defining the second or further portions of the display means. Alternatively the mechanical display filter may comprise a second 15 aperture, or further apertures, situated over and defining the second portion or further portions of the display means. In such or other embodiments, the mechanical display filter preferably comprises an opaque or translucent portion situated between at least a first portion and a second portion of the display means, in order to obscure a portion of the display means between the at least a first 20 portion and second portion of the display means such that the mechanical display filter assists in clearly visually distinguishing the at least a first portion of the display means from a second portion of the display means. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments of the invention, at least one of the portions of the display means may be partially obscured by the mechanical 25 display filter. Such embodiments may provide, for example, for a gaming console in which a first portion of the display means is visible to a user of the gaming console, for example to display pertinent features of the game to be played, while a second portion of the display means is partially obscured by a translucent portion of the mechanical display filter, for example to present pleasing illumination to the user. 30 Such illumination can advantageously be provided by such embodiments of 5 invention in addition to displaying pertinent features of the game, while enabling use of a single display means in the gaming console for providing both such functions. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display 5 filter is a layer, such as a overlay, of a size substantially equal to or larger than the display means. Such a mechanical display filter layer may be formed integrally with the display means, or alternatively may be mounted so as to cover the display means. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display 0 filter may comprise a divider, such as a longitudinal member, configured to extend partially or entirely across the display means, thus visually distinguishing portions of the display means on either side of the divider or longitudinal member. Such a divider is preferably of a width to adequately visually distinguish at least a first portion of the display means from a second portion of the display means. In l5 embodiments where the divider is opaque, the width of the divider is preferably minimised in order to enable a majority of the display means to be used in displaying images or providing illumination to a user. In further embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display filter is preferably removably mounted over the display means, to enable the mechanical 20 display filter to be replaced, improved and/or repaired. In such embodiments the removable mounting is preferably configured to only allow authorised removal of the mechanical display filter, for example, by inclusion of locking means to prevent unauthorised removal. In embodiments of the present invention, at least a first portion of the display 25 means may be substantially rectangular, or any other shape. The at least a first portion and a second portion may be the same shape or may take different shapes from one another. The at least a first portion and a second portion may be of substantially the same size, or may adopt different sizes from one another.

6 In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display filter may have at least two portions with different light transmittal properties. For example, the mechanical display filter may comprise portions of varying colour, pattern, transparency, translucency, or opacity, such that at least two portions of 5 the mechanical display filter is distinguished from one another. In a further example, the mechanical display filter may comprise coloured or patterned, transparent and/or translucent portions such that illumination from the portion of the display means behind the transparent and/or translucent portions causes a pleasing visual effect to a user of the console. The visual effect may thus be 0 altered by appropriate illumination from that portion of the display means. In such embodiments, the mechanical display filter may further comprise light tubes configured to transport light from a portion of the display means to illuminate such transparent or translucent portions. Additionally or alternatively, at least one mirror may be positioned to transport light from a portion of the display means to [5 illuminate such transparent or translucent portions. In a further embodiment, the mechanical display filter has at least one screen configured to prevent the transportation of light thereby preventing at least one portion of the display means from illuminating at least one portion of the mechanical display filter. In yet further embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display 20 filter may further comprise one or more buttons for user actuation in controlling an aspect of a game displayed on the display means. The one or more buttons may be illuminated by a portion of the display means over which the mechanical display filter is mounted. The one or more buttons may be mounted directly over such portions of the display means. Additionally or alternatively, the buttons may be 25 mounted at a distance from such portions of the display means, the mechanical display filter further comprising light tubes to transport light from such portions of the display means to the position of the buttons. Such embodiments enable the mechanical display filter to visually alter or increase the display area presented by the display means to a user of the console. Such embodiments may further be 30 particularly advantageous in allowing buttons of the mechanical display filter to be illuminated in a complex manner by appropriate control of the respective portions 7 of the display means. Such complex lighting has not been possible or has been expensive and difficult to implement previously with traditional mechanical buttons and dedicated lighting arrangements for each button. In further embodiments of the invention, the mechanical display filter may 5 comprise light tubes configured to transport light from a portion of the display means to illuminate artwork of the mechanical display filter. In embodiments of the present invention in which the mechanical display filter comprises buttons, and in which the display means comprises a touch screen, the mechanical display filter may further comprise means to transfer an actuation 0 force applied to each button to the display means so as to actuate a portion of the touch screen associated with that button. Such embodiments are advantageous in providing display assembly manufacturers or gaming console manufacturers with the ability to implement only touch screen functionality in the display assembly, while retaining the option of adding traditional push buttons to the mechanical 15 display filter as required. Further, the means to transfer the actuation force is preferably designed to apply only sufficient force to the touch screen as is required to actuate the touch screen. Such embodiments may prolong the lifetime of the touch screen by avoiding application of excessive user force to the touch screen. In further embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display filter 20 may further comprise a card reader, such as a magnetic card reader. In still further embodiments of the invention, the mechanical display filter may comprise one or more position sensors. The one or more position sensors may be optical sensors. Such embodiments allow accurate alignment of the mechanical display filter relative to at least a portion of an image displayed on the 25 display means or the display means to ensure that areas of the display means are filtered correctly in accordance with the intention of the mechanical display filter. Additionally or alternatively, the mechanical display filter may comprise one or more calibration buttons to actuate a touch screen, such that calibration of the position of the filter may be determined with reference to a portion of the touch 8 screen engaged by the one or more calibration buttons. Such calibration buttons may be dedicated for calibration purposes or may additionally serve as game control buttons. Such calibration may be performed at installation of the mechanical display filter. Additionally or alternatively, calibration of the position of 5 the mechanical display filter relative to the at least a portion of an image displayed on the display means or the display means may be performed during game play on the console, for example in an ongoing dynamic manner. In some embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical display filter may comprise identification means, such as a filter identifier, enabling electronic 0 verification that the mechanical display filter is appropriate for a game or games to be displayed on the display means. For example the identification means may enable a game control means to determine whether the mechanical display filter comprises a correct number of buttons for play of the game or games to be displayed on the display means. Additionally or alternatively, the identification [5 means may enable a game control means to appropriately configure at least a first and second portions of the display means to physically align at least one portion of an image displayed on said display means with the mechanical display filter. In further embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical screen filter may be movably mounted over the display means, in a manner that allows a user 20 to select a position of the mechanical screen filter relative to the display means. For example the mechanical display filter may be mounted such that a user is able to move the mechanical display filter, to define a size of a first portion of the display means relative to a second portion of the display means, within bounds. Such embodiments enable a game control means to sense a current position of the 25 mechanical display filter, and to alter the output of the display means to conform to the current proportions of the first portion of the display means and the second portion of the display means, as defined by a current position of the mechanical display filter. In further such embodiments, in response to a current position of the mechanical display filter; the game control means may be configured to alter one 30 or more of the following factors of a game being displayed: 9 a number of displayed gaming symbols; a number of possible winning outcomes; a prize value associated with one or more winning outcomes; and/or the probability of each gaming outcome. 5 Also herein described is a mechanical screen filter for a display means, such as a display screen, of a gaming console, the mechanical display filter being configured to visually distinguish at least a first portion of the display means from a second portion of the display means. The mechanical display filter may be configured to visually distinguish two of more portions from one another by the 0 mechanical display filter. The mechanical display filter may comprise at least a first transparent portion for covering and defining a first portion of the display means. Alternatively the mechanical display filter may comprise at least a first aperture for situating over and defining a first portion of the display means. Similarly, the mechanical display 15 filter may comprise a second transparent portion, or further transparent portions, for covering and defining the second or further portions of the display means. Alternatively the mechanical display filter may comprise a second aperture, or further apertures, for situating over and defining the second or further portions of the display means. In such or other embodiments, the mechanical display filter 20 preferably comprises an opaque or translucent portion configured to be situated between at least a first portion and a second portion of the display means, for obscuring a portion of the display means between the at least a first portion and second portion of the display means such that the mechanical display filter assists in clearly visually distinguishing the at least a first portion of the display means from 25 a second portion of the display means. Additionally or alternatively, the mechanical display filter may be configured to partially obscure at least one of the portions of the display means. Such embodiments, for example, may provide a mechanical display filter which, in use, 10 allows a first portion of the display means to be visible to a user, for example to display pertinent features of the game to be played, while partially obscuring a second portion of the display means by a translucent portion of the mechanical display filter, for example to present pleasing illumination to the user. Such 5 illumination can advantageously be provided by such embodiments of the invention in addition to displaying pertinent features of the game, while enabling use of a single display means in the gaming console for providing both such functions. In alternate examples, the mechanical display filter may comprise a divider, such as a longitudinal member, configured to extend partially or entirely across the 0 display means, thus visually distinguishing portions of the display means on either side of the divider. Such a divider is preferably of a width to, in use, adequately visually distinguish at least a first portion of the display means from a second portion of the display means. In embodiments where the divider is opaque, the width of the divider is preferably minimised in order to, in use, enable a majority of .5 the display means to be used in displaying images to a user. The mechanical display filter is preferably adapted to be removably mounted over a display means, to enable the mechanical display filter to be replaced, improved and/or repaired. In such embodiments the removable mounting is preferably configured to only allow authorised removal of the mechanical display 20 filter, for example, by inclusion of locking means to prevent unauthorised removal. In still further examples, the mechanical display filter may have at least two portions with different light transmittal properties. For example, the mechanical display filter may comprise portions of varying colour, pattern, transparency, translucency and/or opacity. In a further example, the mechanical display filter may 25 comprise coloured or patterned, transparent and/or translucent portions, such that illumination from behind the transparent and/or translucent portions causes a pleasing visual effect to a user. The visual effect may thus be altered by appropriate illumination.

11 The mechanical display filter may further comprise one or more buttons for user actuation. The one or more buttons may be illuminated from a rear side of the mechanical display filter. The mechanical display filter may further comprise light tubes to transport light to the position of the buttons. Such embodiments enable the 5 mechanical display filter, in use, to visually alter or increase the display area presented by the display means to a user. Such embodiments may further be particularly advantageous in allowing buttons of the console to be illuminated in a complex manner by appropriate control of illumination applied to the rear side of the mechanical display filter. 0 The mechanical display filter may comprise light tubes configured to transport light to illuminate artwork of the mechanical display filter. The mechanical display filter comprises buttons, the mechanical display filter may further comprise means to transfer an actuation force applied to each button to a touch screen so as to actuate a portion of the touch screen associated with 15 that button. Further, the means to transfer the actuation force is preferably designed to apply only sufficient force to the touch screen as is required to actuate the touch screen. Such embodiments may prolong the lifetime of the touch screen by avoiding application of excessive user force to the touch screen. The mechanical display filter may further comprise a card reader, such as a 20 magnetic card reader. The mechanical display filter may comprise one or more position sensors. The one or more position sensors may be optical sensors. Such embodiments allow accurate alignment of the mechanical display filter relative to at least a portion of an image displayed on a display means or a display means to ensure 25 that areas of the display means are filtered correctly in accordance with the intention of the mechanical display filter. The mechanical display filter may comprise identification means enabling electronic verification that the mechanical display filter is appropriate for a game or 12 games to be displayed on the display means. For example the identification means may enable a game control means to determine whether the mechanical display filter comprises a correct number of buttons for play of the game or games to be displayed on the display means. Additionally or alternatively, the identification 5 means may enable a game control means to appropriately configure at least a first and second portion of the display means to physically align at least one portion of an image displayed on said display means with the mechanical display filter. The mechanical screen filter may be adapted for movable mounting over the display means, so as to allow a user to select a position of the mechanical screen 0 filter relative to the display means. Also herein described is a method for constructing a display assembly of a gaming console for displaying images under the control of a game control means, such as a game controller, the method comprising: providing a display means, such as a display screen; and 15 providing a mechanical display filter such that the mechanical display filter visually distinguishes at least a first portion of the display means from a second portion of the display means. The mechanical display filter may visually distinguish two or more portions of the display means from one another. The method may further comprise mounting the mechanical display filter to 20 the display means so as to cover the display means. The method preferably further comprises providing position sensors for sensing a position of the mechanical display filter relative to the display means or at least a portion of an image displayed on the display means. The position sensors may be provided on the be provided on the mechanical display filter or on the display means. In such 25 examples, the method preferably further comprises: sequentially illuminating each portion of the display means; and 13 recording a portion of the display means which is illuminated at a time when the optical sensor senses illumination. The portions of the display means sequentially illuminated may comprise pixels of the display means, or other sized portions of the display means. 5 In alternate examples, the method further comprises calibrating the position of the optical sensor relative to at least a portion of an image displayed on the display means by: illuminating substantially half of the display means; recording a response from the optical sensor; l0 determining a sub-portion of the display adjacent to which the optical sensor is positioned; and repeating the steps of illuminating, recording, and determining in respect of the sub-portion of the display means. Such a method provides a logarithmic speed approach to the precise 15 position of the optical sensor rather than the linear speed approach of a sequential illumination of pixels. Such steps may be carried out until it has been determined that the sub-portion of the display means adjacent to which the optical sensor is positioned is of a sufficiently small size for calibration purposes. For example the sub-portion may be required to comprise one pixel. 20 In preferred examples, providing the mechanical display filter comprises mounting the mechanical display filter to the display means. Providing the mechanical display filter may comprise removably mounting the mechanical display filter to the display means. In this or other embodiments, the method may include locking the mechanical display filter to the display means to prevent unauthorised 25 removal. Preferably, such removable mounting enables only authorised removal of the mechanical display filter.

14 Providing the mechanical display filter may comprise forming the mechanical display filter integrally with the display means. For example, the mechanical display filter may be painted on to the display means. In further examples, the method may compriseproviding buttons on the 5 mechanical display filter. Such examples may further comprise providing light tubes to convey light from a portion of the display means to illuminate the buttons. In yet further examples, the method may comprise providing the mechanical display filter with identification means enabling electronic verification that the 0 mechanical display filter is appropriate for a game or games to be displayed on the display means. For example the identification means may enable the game control means to determine whether the mechanical display filter comprises a correct number of buttons for play of the game or games to be displayed on the display means. Additionally or alternatively, the identification means may enable the game [5 control means to appropriately configure at least a first and second portion of the display means to physically align at least one portion of an image displayed on the display means with the mechanical display filter. The method may comprise movably mounting the mechanical screen filter over the display means, in a manner that allows a user to select a position of the 20 mechanical screen filter relative to the display means. For example the mechanical display filter may be movably mounted such that a user of the display assembly is able to move the mechanical display filter, to define a size of a first portion of the display means relative to a second portion of the display means, within bounds. The examples provide the user interface advantages of presenting a 25 plurality of display regions, along with the advantages of installing only a single display means.

15 Brief description of the drawings Non-limiting examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a conventional gaming console; 5 Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional gaming console control circuit; Figure 3 illustrates a plurality of display regions of a gaming console in accordance with a related art solution; Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a video display and mechanical screen 0 filter in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a gaming console and mechanical screen filter in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanical screen filter in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 15 Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanical screen filter in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7A is a partial cross sectional view along the line 7A-7A of Figure 7; 16 Figure 7A is a partial cross sectional view along the line 7A-7A of Figure 7; Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a gaming system with a fourth embodiment of a mechanical screen filter; Figure 9 illustrates a front perspective view of a mechanical screen filter in 5 accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9A is a partial cross sectional view along the line 9A-9A of Figure 9; Figure 10 is a partial cross sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a video display and mechanical display filter; Figure 11 is a partial cross sectional view of a video display and mechanical 10 screen filter in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a partial section cross sectional view along the lines 12-12 of Figure 9; and Figure 13 illustrates a front perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a mechanical screen filter of the present invention. 15 Detailed description of the embodiments In the following detailed description the methodology of the embodiments will be described, and it is to be understood that it is within the capabilities of the non-inventive worker in the art to introduce the methodology on any standard microprocessor-based gaming machine by means of appropriate programming. 20 Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a conventional slot machine 10 is illustrated, of the type having a video display screen 11 which displays a game, in this instance including a plurality of rotatable reels carrying symbols, and is arranged to pay a prize on the occurrence of a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols.

17 in the slot machine 10 illustrated in Figure 1, the game is initiated by a push button 14, however, it will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that this operating mechanism might be replaced by a pull handle, touch screen, or other type of actuator in other embodiments of the invention. The top box 15 on top of the slot machine 10 5 carries an artwork panel or player marketing module (PMM) which displays the various winning combinations for which a prize is paid on this machine. The PMM on the gaming machine may additionally comprise a small video display (such as LCD), buttons and a magnetic card reader. The program which implements the game and game feature is run on a standard 10 gaming machine control processor 20 as illustrated schematically in Figure 2. The processor 20 forms part of a controller 21 which drives the video display screen 22 of the console 24 and receives input signals from sensors 23. The sensors 23 may be touch sensors, a pull handle or another type of actuator in other embodiments of the invention. The controller 21 also receives input pulses from a mechanism 25 indicating 15 the user has provided sufficient credit to begin playing. The mechanism 25 may be a coin input chute, a credit card reader, or other type of validation device. The controller 21 further drives a payout mechanism 26 which for example may be a coin output. In another embodiment, a remote controller may be provided in the form of a central controller linked to a plurality of gaming machines or consoles. The outcome of 20 the games may be determined centrally and communicated to individual machines or consoles, which primarily have an interface function for displaying the outcome of a particular game, including a player interface for enabling player interaction. Figure 3 illustrates a plurality of display regions 31, 32 of a gaming console 30 in accordance with a related art solution. Whilst the provision of multiple display regions 25 31, 32 enables presentation of a primary display 32 and a secondary display 31, such prior art solutions necessitate the installation of two separate video displays. Figure 4 illustrates a video display 41 and mechanical screen filter 42 of a gaming console 40 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The single large display 41 is mechanically screened/filtered by filter 42 so as to appear to 18 be two smaller displays, 43, 44. The large display 41 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), Plasma, electroluminescent, or other type of display. The smaller displays 43, 44 may be used to represent any combination of primary, secondary, and PMM displays as desired. Preferably the mechanical display filter 42 is 5 opaque, blocking light from the display from being seen by the player, and may comprise one or more of a metal, opaque glass or plastic sheet, or paint. The mechanical display filter 42 may additionally or alternately be in some areas partially transparent and/or translucent, allowing it to have the appearance of a non-display area, yet with software controllable colour and/or illumination, by way of backlighting from the 10 display 41. The mechanical screen filter 42 may equally be applied to any display screen linked to a game or jackpot display controller to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The filter 42 may be further customised in shape, giving display regions 43, 44 15 the appearance of a non-rectangular display. The mechanical filter 42 may further be used to mount further hardware, such as buttons and magnetic card readers. Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the mechanical display filter 52 comprises a frame which defines a first aperture 53 and a second aperture 53a. The mechanical display filter is shown as 20 removably mountable onto the gaming console 51 over the display screen 55 by use of screw or bolt fasters through the holes 54 and 54a. Similar mechanical fasteners or other mounting means may be used. In one embodiment of the present invention, unauthorised removal of the mechanical display filter 52 may be prevented by provision of screw or bolt fasteners with a security head or other locking means. Once mounted 25 on the gaming console 51, the first aperture 53 and the second aperture 53a of the mechanical display filter 52 define a first portion of the display screen 55 in the area indicated by 56 and a second portion of the display screen 55 indicated by 56a respectively.

19 Referring to Figure 6, a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The mechanical display filter 61 comprises a transparent overlay 62 and a divider 63. The transparent overlay 62 may be constructed of glass, plastic or any other suitable material. The divider 63 is preferably translucent or opaque. The mechanical display 5 filter 61 is mounted over a display screen such that the portion of the transparent overlay 62a defines a first portion of the display screen and the portion of the transparent overlay 62b defines a second portion of the display screen. Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows a mechanical display filter 71 which defines a first aperture 72 and a second aperture 72a 10 and a translucent portion 73. The mechanical display filter is preferably mounted on a gaming console over a display screen to visually distinguish a first, second and third portion of a display screen. The first aperture 72 and the second aperture 72a are used to define a first portion and a second portion of the display screen respectively. These portions of the display screen are unobscured. 15 The translucent portion 73 overlays a third portion of the display screen. The third portion is partially obscured by the translucent portion, which is illuminated by the third portion of the display screen to produce different visual effects. For example, the display screen may be illuminated to have the appearance of running lights in one or several different colours, to sequence through a range of different colours and brightness or to 20 have any other complex or simple illumination, illumination pattern or illumination sequence. Each form of illumination will illuminate the translucent portion 73 in different ways and can be used to produce visually pleasing light effects. If translucent artwork were provided on the translucent portion 73, this artwork may be illuminated by the display screen in a visually pleasing manner. Light pipes or mirrors may be used to 25 transport light from the display screen to the translucent portion, as is discussed in greater detail with respect to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 7A shows a partial cross sectional view of the centre of the translucent portion 73 of the mechanical display filter 71 in greater detail. The mechanical display filter 71 is shown mounted over a display screen 74. The area 75 allows light to pass 30 from the display screen 74 to illuminate the translucent portion 76. A light tube may be 20 provided in the area 75 to facilitate better transmission of the light. Translucent artwork may be placed on the translucent portion 76 to be illuminated by the light originating from the display screen 74. Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention comprising a gaming 5 system 81 which is capably of allowing three users to each play a game at a single time. The gaming system has three sets of game buttons 85. The mechanical display filter 82 defines a first aperture 83, a second aperture 83a and a third aperture 83b. The first aperture 83, the second aperture 83a and the third aperture 83b define a first, second and third portion of the display screen 84, being 84a, 84b and 84c respectively. The 10 games displayed on each of these portions of the display screen can each be played by a different user. The games may be independent of each other, or may influence or be interconnected with each other. By modifying the game and display software, one or more of the display portions may be selectively varied. Referring to Figure 9, a sixth embodiment of a mechanical display filter 91 of the 15 present invention is illustrated. The mechanical display filter 91 is in a form of a frame defining a first aperture 92 and a second aperture 92a which is capable of being mounted on a gaming console over a display screen. Between the first aperture 92 and the second aperture 92a, the mechanical display filter has a divider 93 carrying a card reader 93a. The card reader 93a is a magnetic card reader through which a magnetic 20 card can be swiped, causing the card reader to read the information on the card. Similar card readers and cards may be used, such as a smart card. The card reader may alteratively be a slot into which a card is inserted or any other arrangement or type of card reader which is known in the art. Figure 9 additionally illustrates a plurality of buttons 94 located on a control panel 25 95 of the mechanical display filter below the second aperture 92a and a plurality of buttons 94a located on the divider 93. The buttons may be conventional momentary or similar push buttons which are hardwired to the gaming console. Alternatively, the buttons may consist of an actuator as is described in more detail with respect to Figure 12.

21 Referring now to Figure 10, a video display 41 and mechanical display filter 42 similar to that of Figure 4, comprises a light tube 45 which carries light from display 41 to button 46. In such embodiments, button 46 can have a customised display or illumination by having a transparent or translucent face presented to the user. The 5 display visible behind the button 46 appears as part of the button, presenting either graphics or illumination. The customised display may be game or game category specific with the result that the display screen may generate images and indicia for buttons which images / indicia can then be varied on playing a different game, or in response to variations 10 occurring dynamically in the course of a game. Figure 11 is a partial cross sectional view of a display assembly 110 of a further altemate embodiment of the invention, the display assembly 110 comprising a video display 111 and mechanical display filter 112. In the display assembly 110 of Figure 6, the video display 111 comprises a touch screen. The mechanical screen filter 112 15 comprises a button 113 mounted such that user actuation of the button 113 causes actuation of the touch screen 111 at a position of the button 113. The button may be biased in the open position. In an alternate embodiment the mechanical display filter and button(s) may be positioned at an edge of the display means, such that only one region of the screen 20 depicts gaming features, while in the second portion of the screen button illumination functionality is provided. This provides the benefits of controllable button illumination, in an otherwise traditional machine. This embodiment may consist of the portion of Figure 9 indicated by bracket 96. Figure 12 is a partial cross sectional view of the control panel 95 of the 25 mechanical display filter 91 of Figure 9 and one of the plurality of buttons 94 of Figure 9. The mechanical display is shown mounted over a display screen 121. Light from a portion of the display screen 121 travels through the passage 122, reflecting off the mirror 123. The passage 122 and mirror 123 direct the light from the display screen 121 to the rear of a translucent button 94b, thereby illuminating the button. A variety of 22 different images displayed on the display screen 121 causes a variety of different illumination effects in the button 94b. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the mechanical filter 42 may integrate light pipes 45, to channel the light from the display 41 to a button 46 mounted away fromthe 5 display 41. This provides further flexibility in the mechanical arrangement of the product. Light pipes may in certain cases provide an advantage of cheaper manufacture or assembly of a product, as it can otherwise be difficult to mount the source of illumination exactly where it is needed. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical filter may 10 incorporate screens to prevent light from one portion of the display screen illuminating a button which is adjacent to another portion of the display screen. This is illustrated in Figure 9A which shows a partial cross sectional view of the middle portion of the mechanical screen filter 91 containing two transparent buttons 94a, being 94b and 94c. The buttons 94a are mounted over a display screen which Is capable of Illuminating the 15 buttons 94a. The screen 95 prevents light from a portion of a display screen behind button 94b from illuminating button 94c, and visa versa. In a further embodiment, additional screens may be provided to surround each button. The mechanical filter 42 is attached to the console in such a way that it is easily replaced, so as to facilitate easy initial manufacturing, and so as to allow field upgrades 20 of products. For example the number of player buttons on a gaming machine may vary according to the game. It is advantageous to be easily able to change the button panel carried by the mechanical display filter 42 to change the number of buttons. The button panel may incorporate electronic identification allowing the game machine to verify that the button panel is correct for the game being played. Further the regions on the filter 25 corresponding to areas to be illuminated as seen by the layer may be different depending on the filter, even where the filter has the same button functionality. Identification of the mechanical filter type allows the correct regions of the filter to be illuminated.

23 One or more optical sensors on the filter may be used to more precisely align the illumination regions on the display with the corresponding areas on the filter. Mechanical misalignment between the filter and display may cause light from one region to illuminate a region of the filter adjacent to the intended region of illumination. The 5 display is illuminated in a scanning pattern to determine the pixel(s) corresponding to the optical sensor(s), and the resulting data used to determine the degree of misalignment and dynamically determine the correct regions of the screen to illuminate. Additionally shown in Figure 12 is an optical sensor 124 located on the face of the mechanical display filter 91 which is adjacent to the display screen 121. The optical 10 sensor 124 detects whether the portion of the display screen 121 adjacent to it is illuminated. A single touch screen covering the entire display may be used instead of a plurality of separate touch screens for each display. With some touch screen technology It is possible to replace the human finger with other implements, and in this case the 15 touch screen can be used to sense button presses by the player. As all electronic button sensing is performed by the touch screen the new button becomes a simple mechanical device, eliminating the wiring present in a traditional button panel. Traditionally the alignment between the touch screen and display must be determined so that mechanical misalignment can be calibrated out. This process is 20 simplified, as the location of the optical sensor with respect to the buttons is fixed, and the location of the optical sensor with respect to the display can be determined as previously described. Hence the location of the touch screen with respect to the display is easily determined when the user presses a button. This calibration may be done either in a special calibration mode, or dynamically as the gaining machine is used. 25 In a further embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical display filter may include identification means, such as a filter identifier, which enables a game controller to identify the mechanical display filter mounted over a display screen. For example, the identification means may be electronic and may comprise a memory card installed in the mechanical display filter. The memory card has wires or terminals which 24 conductively connect to a plug or corresponding terminals on a game console. The game controller is incorporated in the game console and is able to electronically communicate with the memory card through the wires and plug or terminals. In another example, the filter identifier may consist of a RFID transponder which communicates 5 with the gaming controller. A filter identifier 77 is shown embedded in Figure 7A-7A. The game controller is able to identify the mechanical display filter from the communications received from the filter identifier. The information received from the filter identifier allows the game controller to determine whether the mechanical display filter comprises a correct number of buttons for play of the game or games to be 10 displayed on the display screen and to appropriately configure the at least two portions of the display screen to physically align with at least one portion of the image displayed on the display screen. Other methods for storing and transmitting information electronically may be employed. Figure 13 illustrates a mechanical display filter 133 comprising a movable divider 15 131, so that its position with respect to a display can be adjusted. A simple vertical adjustment as indicated by arrows 132 and 132a allows the proportion of the display lower than the filter 133 to be adjusted relative to the proportion above the filter 133a. This allows the portions of the display allocated to different purposes to be adjusted. The movable divider 131 may slide up and down a track 134 in the mechanical display 20 filter 133. As described previously the gaming machine can sense the position of the filter on the display. This adjustment may be performed when the machine is being manufactured, allowing manufacturing to easily produce different product configurations. Alternately 25 the adjustment may be performed in the field, to customise the console to a particular game or gaming venue operator's preference. Alternately the adjustment may be performed by the player and cause the presentation of the game to change. Graphics may automatically scale or be otherwise 25 adjusted to appropriately fit the display. The gaming machine may have a set of game presentations from which the one displayed is selected according to the filter position. Alternately the game mathematics may change according to the position of the filter. The gaming machine may have a set of game mathematics from which one is 5 selected according to the filter position. For example the game may be a spinning reels type slot machine, with 5 reels each 3 symbols high. When the filter is moved up (or down, depending on the game design), the screen available for the reels grows larger, and the number of symbols on each reel expands from 3 to 4. The game mathematics changes appropriately, to compensate for the new number of symbols, for example by 10 changing the layout of symbols on the reel strips. Alternately the filter position is used as part of the calculation the game mathematics. Appropriate cooling methods are preferably applied to compensate for retention of heat by the mechanical display filter. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as 15 "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments 20 without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features 25 mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising: a display screen; a game controller arranged to control images displayed on said display screen, said game controller being arranged to allow a user to play a game displayed on said ) display screen and, if one of a plurality of predefined winning events or combination of events result, a prize or feature is awarded; and a mechanical display filter comprising a frame and a dividing member arranged to visually distinguish at least two portions of said display screen from one another, wherein an illuminable portion of the mechanical display filter is illuminated by an 5 illuminating portion of the display screen to produce a visual effect.

2. A gaming console as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical display filter comprises at least a first transparent portion covering and defining at least one of said at least two portions of said display screen.

3. A gaming console as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said mechanical D display filter includes means defining at least a first aperture situated over, and defining, at least one of said at least two portions of said display screen.

4. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said dividing member is configured to extend partially or entirely across said display screen and is situated between at least two of said portions of said display screen, such that said at Z5 least two portions of said display screen are visually distinguished from one another.

5. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least two portions of said display screen are of substantially the same size.

6. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of said at least two portions of said display screen is partially obscured by said mechanical 30 display filter. 27 i

7. A gaming console as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said mechanical display filter has at least one light tube configured to transport light from the illuminating portion of said display screen to illuminate the illuminable portion of said mechanical display filter.

8. A gaming console as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of said light tubes ) is configured to transport light from the illuminating portion of said display screen to illuminate artwork on said mechanical display filter.

9. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said mechanical display filter comprises an overlay of a size substantially equal to or larger than said display screen. 5

10. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said mechanical display filter is mounted over said display screen.

11. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said mechanical display filter has at least one button for user actuation in controlling an aspect of a game displayed on said display screen. 0

12 A gaming console as claimed in claim 11, wherein said display screen comprises a touch screen and said mechanical display filter has at least one actuator which transfers an actuation force applied to said button to said display screen so as to actuate a portion of said touch screen associated with said button.

13. A gaming console as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of said actuators 25 is configured to limit the amount of force applied to said display screen.

14. A gaming console as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said mechanical display filter has at least one light tube configured to transport light from a portion of said display screen to illuminate at least one of said buttons.

15. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein said mechanical 30 display filter has a card reader. 28

16. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the mechanical display filter is aligned relative to at least one portion of an image displayed on said display screen.

17. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the gaming console has at least one position sensor configured to detect the alignment of the ) mechanical display filter relative to at least one portion of an image displayed on said display screen.

18. A gaming console as claimed in claim 17, wherein calibration of the position of the mechanical display filter relative to at least one portion of an image displayed on said display screen occurs during play of the game or games to be displayed on said 5 display screen.

19. A gaming console as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one position sensor is an optical sensor.

20. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19 when dependent on one of claims 11 to 14, wherein at least one of said buttons is configured such that actuating 0 said button calibrates the position of said mechanical display filter relative to at least one portion of an image displayed on said display screen with reference to a portion of said touch screen actuated by said button.

21. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20 wherein said mechanical display filter has at least one filter identifier which enables identification of said 25 mechanical display filter by said game controller.

22. A gaming console as claimed in claim 21, wherein said game controller electronically verifies that said mechanical display filter is appropriate for a game or games to be displayed on said display screen.

23. A gaming console as claimed in claims 21 or 22, wherein said filter identifier 30 enables said game controller to determine whether said mechanical display filter has the correct number of buttons for play of the game or games to be displayed on said display screen. 29

24. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, wherein said at least one filter identifier enables the game controller to appropriately configure said at least two portions of said display screen to physically align at least one portion of an image displayed on said display screen with said mechanical display filter.

25. A gaming console as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24, wherein at least a portion ) of said mechanical display filter is moveably mounted over said display screen, such that a user can select a position of said at least one portion of said mechanical display filter relative to said display screen to define the size of at least one of said at least two portions of said display screen.

26. A gaming console as claimed in claim 25, wherein said game controller senses a 5 current position of said mechanical display filter and causes the output of said display screen to conform to the current proportions of said at least two portions of said display screen, as defined by the current position of said mechanical display filter.

27. A gaming console as claimed in claims 25 or 26, wherein said game controller is configured to alter at least one of the following parameters of a game being displayed in 0 response to change in said position of said at least one portion of said mechanical display filter relative to said display screen: a number of displayed gaming symbols; a number of possible winning outcomes; a prize value associated with one or more winning outcomes; and the probability of each gaming outcome.

28. A gaming console as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical display filter is 25 integrally formed over said display screen.