The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 01, 1998
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1996
Andrew Pascal, Woodside, CA (US);
Louis David Giacalone, Jr, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Michael Barnett, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Silicon Gaming, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a signaling system which provides as part of the signal an indication as to the approximate elapsed time since the activation of the signal. Furthermore, the type of service required can be indicated by a particular flashing scheme or color code. The system has both software and hardware components and can be easily integrated into individual game machines. In the preferred embodiment, the hardware component includes a software controllable switching means for controlling a plurality of lights. In order to identify the type of service needed, lights may be color-coded or different flashing patterns may be used. In the software component, a preferred algorithm which defines and varies the flash rate over time is implemented. The flash rate is defined as being in the on-state for a first specified duration and in the off-state for a second specified duration. Variables specifying the initial first and second specified durations, the final first and second specified durations, the amount of time to lapse before changing the first and second specified durations, and the amount of first and second specified durations to change are provided. These variables provide a great deal of flexibility in defining and manipulating the flash rate.