Intelligent candle display for game machines

Abstract

Intelligent candle displays for electronic game machines are described. In one implementation, an electric signaling candle for game machines used in gambling establishments is communicatively coupled via a controller with one or more display screens for showing image and video graphics. The candle and the display screen(s) may be physically combined into one unit, or physically separated but communicatively coupled to present integrated and harmonized information and visual effects. The intelligent candle display can interact in real time with the game machine hardware and with the action of a game being played in order to display relevant real time action and information. The intelligent candle display serves multiple simultaneous purposes, such as informing casino management of jackpots and machine problems, providing betting information to players, interacting with the game players, advertising, and acquainting and welcoming bystanders to the game machine.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a game machine for use in a gambling establishment;   a candle associated with the game machine for indicating a status of a game playable on the game machine and for indicating a status of the game machine; and   a display screen combined with the candle.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the candle and the display screen are combined by being physically connected to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the candle and the display screen are combined by being communicatively coupled with each other despite being physically separate from each other; and
 wherein being communicatively coupled with each other enables the candle and the display screen to each participate in at least one common display task.   
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller for managing operation of the candle and the display screen.   
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller harmonizes two or more functions, selected from the group of functions consisting of:
 an information signaling function of the candle;   an attention-getting function of the candle;   an information displaying function of the display screen; and   an attention-getting function of the display screen.   
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show an attention-getting graphic to reinforce a status indicated by the candle. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to provide information about a status indicated by the candle to reinforce the status indicated by the candle. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show dynamically changing information. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show dynamically changing information, including one of a betting denomination or a betting limit of the game machine. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show dynamically changing information, including a jackpot total won on the game machine in conjunction with a jackpot indication displayed by the candle. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show an identity of a game winner. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show dynamically changing information, including a progressive jackpot total. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to provide an explanation of game play in real time as the game is being played, in order to introduce bystanders to the game. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to provide a current tournament status involving the game machine. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to show dynamically changing information, including one of an animated graphic of a game title or a game logo. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein when the candle indicates a machine malfunction, the controller includes logic to instruct the display screen to indicate one of a machine offline state, a bill jam, a coin jam, a door open state, or an attendant-required state. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller instructs the display screen to show an advertisement. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the controller instructs the display screen to show dynamically changing information, including one of statistics of past payouts at the game machine, a histogram of past payouts of the game machine, a summary of most recent payouts of the game machine, or odds of winning a payout at the game machine. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the candle and the display screen interact with the game in real time;
 wherein the display screen shows action of the game in real time; and   wherein the controller operates the candle in conjunction with images displayed on the display screen.   
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the candle is disposed in one of a vertical position on one or more sides of the display screen;
 a vertical position on top of the display screen;   a vertical position integrated with a member supporting the display screen;   a horizontal position integrated with a member supporting the display screen;   a horizontal position on top of the display screen; or   a horizontal position at the bottom of the display screen.   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an electric signaling candle for a game machine;   a display screen coupled with the electric signaling candle.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the electric signaling candle and the display screen are physically combined in one unit. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the electric signaling candle and the display screen are communicatively coupled. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a controller to provide an integrated visual function using the electric signaling candle and the display screen. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the controller communicates with the game machine and with a game being played on the game machine to provide a real time display of game action and information about the game machine and the game. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the electric signaling candle is disposed in one of a vertical position on one or more sides of the display screen;
 a vertical position on top of the display screen;   a vertical position integrated with a member supporting the display screen;   a horizontal position integrated with a member supporting the display screen;   a horizontal position on top of the display screen; or   a horizontal position at the bottom of the display screen.