Wagering Game System with Waveguide Projection Display
A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a wedge waveguide display assembly. In one embodiment, the wedge waveguide display assembly comprises a projector operable to project an image and a wedge waveguide assembly operable to reflect the projected image at least twice before the projected image becomes visible on an image screen region of the wedge waveguide display assembly.
1 . A computerized wagering game system, comprising:
a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and
a wedge waveguide display assembly, comprising a projector operable to project an image and a wedge waveguide operable to reflect the projected image at least twice before the projected image becomes visible on a image screen region of the wedge waveguide display assembly.
2 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the projector comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display projector, a digital micromirror device projector, a laser projector, or a liquid crystal on silicon projector.
3 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge waveguide comprises two mirrors.
4 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge waveguide comprises a wedge-shaped element made of optically transparent material.
5 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 4 , wherein the optically transparent material has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of air.
6 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 5 , wherein wedge waveguide is operable to project an image onto the image screen region of the folded projection display assembly by internally reflecting the projected image such that the projected image strikes the image screen portion of the wedge waveguide at an angle greater than the critical angle of the wedge waveguide.
7 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the image screen region is a curved section configured to simulate a mechanical reel.
8 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge waveguide display comprises at least one of a main display, a top box display, and a supplemental media display.
9 . A method of operating a computerized wagering game system, comprising:
presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered; and
projecting an image via a projector through a wedge waveguide display assembly operable to reflect the projected image at least twice in a wedge waveguide element before the image becomes visible on a image screen region of the wedge waveguide display assembly.
10 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the projector comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display projector, a digital micromirror device projector, a laser projector, or a liquid crystal on silicon projector.
11 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge waveguide comprises two mirrors.
12 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge waveguide comprises a wedge-shaped element made of optically transparent material.
13 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 12 , wherein the optically transparent material has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of air.
14 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 13 , wherein wedge waveguide is operable to project an image onto the image screen region of the folded projection display assembly by internally reflecting the projected image such that the projected image strikes the image screen portion of the wedge waveguide at an angle greater than the critical angle of the wedge waveguide.
15 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the image screen region is a curved section configured to simulate a mechanical reel.
16 . The method of operating a computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the wedge waveguide display comprises at least one of a main display, a top box display, and a supplemental media display.
17 . A computerized wagering game machine, comprising:
a wedge waveguide projector display assembly configured to present a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered by internally reflecting a projected image in a wedge waveguide element having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of air, such that the projected image strikes an image screen portion of the wedge waveguide at an angle greater than the critical angle of the wedge waveguide and becomes visible to a wagering game player.