US 7,594,852 B2
Gaming machine with interchangeable reel display arrangement
James M. Rasmussen, Chicago, Ill. (US)
Assigned to WMS Gaming Inc., Waukegan, Ill. (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/412,741.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/677527, filed on May 04, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0252496 A1, Nov. 09, 2006
Int. Cl. G07F 17/34 (2006.01); A63F 13/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 463—20  [463/31; 463/32; 463/46; 273/143 R; 273/138.2] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A slot machine comprising:
a housing;
a plurality of physical symbol-bearing reels mounted in the housing; and
a display arrangement positioned in front of the reels and interchangeable in the same housing between at least two of the following:
(i) a display panel without an interior cavity, the display panel having first windows aligned with respective ones of the physical symbol-bearing reels to permit viewing of the physical symbol-bearing reels through the first windows,
(ii) a light-guiding panel having an illuminated interior defined by opposing front and rear surfaces, the light-guiding panel having second windows aligned with respective ones of the physical symbol-bearing reels to permit viewing of the symbol-bearing reels through the second windows, the light-guiding panel including an outer edge to receive light from a peripheral light source and transmit the light through the interior, and
(iii) a transmissive video display, the transmissive video display having third windows aligned with respective ones of the physical symbol-bearing reels to permit viewing of the symbol-bearing reels through the third windows, the transmissive video display configured to provide video images having levels of transmissivity varying between transparent and opaque;
whereby any of the display arrangements can be used with the physical symbol-bearing reels.