Systems and methods for providing ultraviolet sterilization, disinfection and decontamination of gaming equipment

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing ultraviolet (UV) sterilization, disinfection and decontamination of electronic gaming machines (EGMs), gaming chips, dice, playing cards, currency, TITO tickets, etc. The ultraviolet sterilization, disinfection and decontamination may include a plurality of UV LEDs or RGB-UV LEDs of such wavelengths to be effective in reducing or eliminating viruses or the like. Pass through or planar arrays of UV or RGB-UV LEDs are mounted to or installed within a variety of gaming devices or equipment such as EGMs, chip trays, dice holders, automatic card shufflers, bill validators, magnetic card readers, currency counting or currency dispensing devices, printers, etc.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electronic gaming machine comprising:
 at least one game display;   a user interface configured to:
 enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance; 
 enable the player to initiate a cash out operation; and 
   a processor programmed to:
 deduct the selected wager from the credit balance; and 
 decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation; 
   a source of ultraviolet lighting mounted to or within an electronic gaming machine cabinet, deck or component to at least partially sterilize, disinfect and/or decontaminate at least a portion of the electronic gaming machine button deck and/or touch-screen display; and   wherein a state of the ultraviolet lighting is controlled based on a state of the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the source of ultraviolet lighting is activated when the electronic gaming machine is not being played and deactivated when the electronic gaming machine is being played. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the source of ultraviolet lighting is produced by a plurality of UV LEDs. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the source of ultraviolet lighting is produced by a plurality of RGB-UV LEDs. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 3  wherein the wavelengths of ultraviolet light produced by the plurality of UV LEDs is in the about 207 nm to about 222 nm range. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 4  wherein the wavelengths of ultraviolet light produced by the plurality of RGB-UV LEDs is in the about 207 nm to about 222 nm range. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the effectiveness of the sterilization, disinfection and/or decontamination increases over time of use. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising one or more reflectors, deflectors and/or directors to focus or direct ultraviolet light to the specific desired point of contact with the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic gaming machine comprising:
 a monetary input device configured to determine a monetary value associated with a physical item;   a user interface configured to:
 enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance; 
 enable the player to initiate a cash out operation; and 
   a processor programmed to:
 add the monetary value to a credit balance for the player; 
 deduct the selected wager from the credit balance; and 
 decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation; 
   a source of ultraviolet light positioned in, on or proximate to an electronic gaming machine cabinet, deck or gaming machine component, the source of ultraviolet light configured to transmit ultraviolet light on an electronic gaming machine button deck and/or touch-screen display to at least partially sterilize, disinfect and/or decontaminate at least a portion of the electronic gaming machine button deck and/or touch-screen display; and   wherein a state of the ultraviolet lighting is controlled based on a state of the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein the source of ultraviolet lighting is activated when the electronic gaming machine is not being played and deactivated when the electronic gaming machine is being played. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein the source of ultraviolet light includes an arrangement of: (i) both RGB and UV LEDs; (ii) alternating RGB and UV LEDs; or (iii) combination RGB-UV LEDs. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein the source of ultraviolet light mounted to the electronic gaming machine cabinet produces ultraviolet radiation in a range of about 207 nm to about 222 nm. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 9  further comprising one or more reflectors, deflectors and/or directors to focus or direct ultraviolet light to the specific desired point of contact with the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         14 . A method of retrofitting an electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine including at least a processor running executable game instructions, memory, display, monetary input device and one or more user interfaces comprising:
 mounting ultraviolet lighting on, to or proximate to an electronic gaming machine cabinet, deck or component to sterilize, disinfect and/or decontaminate at least a portion of the one or more user interfaces;   providing power to the ultraviolet lighting; and   controlling the state of the ultraviolet lighting based on the state of the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising a translucent cover integral with the ultraviolet lighting. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the one or more user interfaces are selected from the group consisting of a button deck, touch-screen display, bill validator and/or card reader. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising utilizing one or more reflectors, deflectors and/or directors to focus or direct ultraviolet light to the specific desired point of contact with the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising utilizing one or more pieces of intermediary hardware to mount the ultraviolet lighting to or within an electronic gaming machine cabinet.