BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to the field of real image projection systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to the use of a real image projection system to enhance the functionality and experience in slot or gaming machines, ATM machines, vending machines, merchandising displays, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART The present invention pertains to a real image projection system and, in particular, to such a system in which a real image of a three-dimensional object or a two-dimensional source, such as, for example, a photograph or computer screen, is formed in space, giving the illusion that a real object exists at that point in space, when in reality it does not.

Visual display systems are well known in the art and typically use a curved reflector with a beamsplitter positioned at a 45 degree angle to the curved reflector's optical axis to divert the input beam path at a 90 degree angle to the viewing axis or imaging beam path. This method has been used since the early 1950s for flight simulation, and commonly is referred to as the WAC window system. These systems typically are used in an on-axis configuration, meaning that the optical axis, or the un-

tilted curved reflector's center of radius, is located along the viewing axis. When viewing such an on-axis system, any object within the viewing area images within the system.

One of the earliest working real image displays is depicted in White's 1934 publication of"Fundamentals of Optics". It shows a spherical mirror positioned behind a table. A flower vase is mounted below the table and a real image of the vase is projected sitting on the table-top. In the late 1980's, real image display systems were further developed, typically consisting of two on-axis parabolic reflector segments, as described in U. S. Patent No. 4,802, 750. In the early 1990's, similar systems were built that use a beamsplitter having high reflection and low transmission, in order to reduce ghosting effects. By 1999, a system was developed using a circularly-polarized window in an on- axis, WAC window-style configuration. For example, U. S. Patent No 6,163, 408 was issued in 2000. Later, a tilted system was developed, using an off-axis, curved reflector, as disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US00/11234 and PCT Publication No. WO 00/65844. That system comprises a curved reflector tilted at an angle between 5 and 20 degrees from the viewing axis. A beamsplitter is positioned along the viewing axis, tilted at 45 degrees to the curved reflector's axis.

With the development of such high-transmission real imaging systems, many new enhancements are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, an improved real image projection device comprises a real image projection system for projecting a real image, wherein said real image projection system is operatively connected with a slot machine, gaming machine, an ATM machine, vending machine or other like machines. The real image projection system preferably uses a video image source, such as, for example, a monitor, as the image source (although any type of image source optionally can be used), and the video signal source preferably is controlled or influenced by the activity of the host machine (i. e. , slot, ATM, etc.). However, the system also is well suited to imaging real objects, which optionally are mounted on a turntable, such as, for example, dice or perfume sampler bottles that can be rotated on the turntable.

The real image projection system preferably includes an aspheric mirror configuration (as described in US Pat. No. 6,612, 701, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), or a tilted optical system designed for high brightness and low ghost reflections (as described in US Pub. Nos. US 2003- 0147145 Al, US 2003-0197839 Al, US 2003-0210380 Al, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). The system optionally also is used with a circular polarizing window or beamsplitter configuration (as described in U. S. Pat. No. 6,163, 408, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Figure 1 shows a slot machine with a real image projection system mounted to the top of the machine.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the slot machine of Figure 1 and the viewing area of the real image.

Figure 3 shows an example of a typical dual aspheric real image display chassis with a dice as the image source, rotation mechanism, and the internal lighting for said image source.

Figure 4 shows an example of a typical dual aspheric real image display chassis with a monitor as the image source.

Figure 5 shows an example of an ATM machine with a real image projection system incorporating a video background as a primary transaction screen.

Figure 6 shows a top-box application of an ATM machine wherein the real image is separate from the transactional screen.

Figure 7 shows a merchandising display application whereby perfume samplers are promoted using a real image projection system mounted into the display as an attractor.

Figure 8 shows a vending machine application wherein the real image projection system is incorporated into the structure to either enhance the operation and function of the machine or as an attractor.

Figure 9 shows two infrared controlled MPEG decoder devices as commercially available and a custom dual output Infrared transmitter designed to be controlled by a main CPU, through use of an intermediary micro-controller chip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a real image projection system and, in particular, to such a system in which a real image of a three-dimensional object or a two-dimensional source, such as, for example, a photograph or computer screen, is formed in space, giving the illusion that a real object exists at that point in space, when in reality it does not. More particularly, the invention pertains to the use of a real image projection system to enhance the functionality and experience in slot or gaming machines, ATM machines, vending machines, merchandising displays, and the like.

For example, in a slot machine embodiment, the video content preferably is of a subject that compliments or relates to the game play theme or content. As an example of a slot machine embodiment, the real image projection system would project 3D images of coins tumbling with a floating"Winner"image pulsing out in front of the player, when the slot machine lands on three sevens. In the case of networked banks of gaming machines, the real image would float out in front of an individual machine as the machine became "hot"or odds were at the highest for that machine, thus the real image becomes an integral part of the game play experience. An alternative embodiment would include a real image display using a series of two or three dice as a source that would rotate and optionally independently controlled to stop at predetermined numbers. The image optionally is a spinning wheel with numbers. This optionally could be used as a bonus spin or bonus multiplier for jackpots.

In another embodiment, the real image projection system is integrated with an ATM machine. The real image source preferably is a video monitor, LCD, or CRT (but can be any image source, including a real object, such as a credit card on a rotating

In another embodiment, the real image projection system is integrated with an ATM machine. The real image source preferably is a video monitor, LCD, or CRT (but can be any image source, including a real object, such as a credit card on a rotating spindle). The video signal preferably is supplied by a computer, digital media player, or from the ATM electronics. The real image projection system optionally is activated by an infrared sensor or proximity sensor to determine when a person is within range of a unit.

In such an optional configuration, when a person passes the ATM, the system will then project an image or play advertising content, for example, in 3D floating out over the ATM unit. The system also optionally runs advertising for bank financing, credit cards, and banking services, as well as general advertising. When the real image projection system uses a background video screen behind the floating image, video advertisements can be run on the background that relate to the real image. The background video image can also incorporate the ATM transaction screen, while the real image simultaneously interacts with the customer's selections. Because the background screen is set back slightly behind the front window, it offers much more privacy for the user.

In slot machine applications as well as transactional machines such as ATM, the video must be controlled by the central on-board computer in a one-way communication method. The computer must be able to control the actions of the top-box display, but must not be able to receive transmission or data from the top-box for security reasons. This has been a difficult task to accomplish in the past for two reasons. The top-box display systems are equipped with two video output devices or monitors. Computers are able to output three separate video signals simultaneously, foreground 3D signal, background video signal, and the ATM transaction screen or Slot machine play screen. Available software and hardware requires that the decoding of the video signals be accomplished with the CPU of the computer. The software running in the Slot machine or ATM must meet government regulations and inspections to insure they are secure and that auxiliary equipment cannot affect the secured ATM or Game-play software. At the time of this writing, this could only be accomplished by a dual channel synchronized video card, or a stand-alone dual synchronized video delivery system, which at the time of this writing was not commercially available. A custom video card is required that contains two Mpeg-2 decoder chips and supporting circuitry to control frame synchronization, video blanking, and synchronized frame selection.

In a typical vending machine embodiment, the real image projection system preferably is integrated into the vending machine. In the case of a soft drink vending machine, for example, a small real image projection system preferably includes a LCD or CRT as an image source (although any image source can be used), a digital media player, and flash card for media storage. The real image projection system is capable of projecting floating video images out in front of the vending machine, such as, for example, of subjects relating to the machine, such as the various brands of soft drinks available.

The device also can play floating 3D video advertising, and optionally is triggered by a proximity sensor, such as, for example, to change the content when someone walks up to the machine.

In the case of a vending machine, the electronic controls internal to the machine typically cannot support the video delivery, therefore a dual synchronized video delivery system must take its cues from the host machine electronics and independently run the appropriate videos in a self-contained system. This requires a custom interface that can monitor the host machine operation with electronic sensors and then run the corresponding media presentation on the display device. The majority of vending machines are electro- mechanically controlled, which requires a method of monitoring the movement of mechanical parts within the host machine. This is accomplished using a micro-controller or"PIC"chip with various inputs connected to sensors, which then evaluates the inputs from the sensors and outputs a control signal to a video display Mpeg decoder card. In the case of a real object projection system, the control signal is output to an indexer control card which then indexes the appropriate product into position for projection as a real image. A description of a typical indexer control mechanism is described in US Patent No. 6,612, 701, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In a typical product or merchandising display embodiment, the real image projection system preferably is integrated into the product display. In the case of a cosmetic display, a series of sampler perfumes can be displayed in a product display and the real image of a perfume bottle can float over the product, as one example. The internal lighting and image rotation are controlled with a proximity sensor. In some cases, a multi- station turret can be incorporated, which allows numerous objects to be imaged in

sequence, either randomly or controlled by a proximity sensor or customer selection.

There are numerous applications of the invention, such as watch displays, where watches are displayed in a clear plastic tube on shelves on a store countertop. The real image display can be enclosed on the top of the display, projecting a real image of a real watch, floating overhead out in front of the display case as an attractor or to differentiate a brand.

In the case of a merchandising display, the same difficulties exist in interfacing to the host merchandising display as in the vending machines. The system requires a method to convert the customers interaction into a digital signal that will control the real image display. This can be accomplished using a similar Micro-controller as mentioned previously with input signals provided by proximity sensors or contact sensors under the products that are triggered by customer interaction, thus indexing the product into position for viewing the real image and starting the marketing presentation on the background monitor of the projection system.

The control of the real image display based on customer interaction is accomplished with several methods, based on the type of host machine in which it is integrated. One method of interaction is accomplished with a custom dual video card for a computer and"dll"software which can be controlled by the host machines software. The card consists of two Mpeg-2 decoders and various components for frame synchronization.

It also has components to provide dual video output, controllable by an on-card controller by making function calls to the dll routines. These controls include screen blanking for smooth transitions between videos, frame synchronization control to maintain synchronization between the videos, and control over starting and stopping videos at the same frame number. These features are not available on standard dual monitor video cards.

The second method of video output is using two single Mpeg decoder as a stand- alone component that has a flash card or compact memory card as a media storage source.

Single channel devices are available commercially, but there are currently no dual channel cards or devices manufactured, since real image projection would be the only market for such a device. Creation of a dual channel video player is accomplished by incorporating two single channel cards into a control device and interfacing them with a micro-controller

or"PIC"chip. The micro-controller will output control signals to the individual decoders simultaneously through the digital outputs of the chip. The inputs of the chip will interface with external control sensors or switches to activate features based on customer interaction. The control code to interpret the inputs and activate the appropriate outputs is controlled through a software application which is programmed into the micro-controller.

Single Mpeg decoder boards using Infrared remote controls are commercially available, but no device is currently available to control the two infrared inputs simultaneously without a hand-held remote control. As shown in Figure 9, the solution is to design a dual output Infrared transmitter that receives a signal from a micro-controller or"PIC"chip.

The two single channel Mpeg decoder boards are positioned so that the Infrared receivers are aligned with the infrared transmitters of the interface device. The micro-controller is digitally controlled by a main computer and is interfaced only with the outputs of the computer and does not offer two-way communication, therefore enabling it's use in secured environments such as ATM's and slot machines.

In the case of an analog real image display, the device uses an actual object mounted inside the device, which then forms a real image of the object floating in space out in front of the display housing. The actual target object is mounted onto a motorized spindle shaft, and the object is lighted using LED's. In the case of a single product projection where the display does not have to index between several products, control is accomplished using a single micro-controller which can receive input from proximity sensors, contact sensors, and control buttons. The output will control the spindle rotation and lights to create 3D effects as customers interact. For systems requiring real image projection multiple products, an indexing device is incorporated which will index various objects into position which are then projected as real images. The indexing of product can be controlled with a timer routine coded into the micro-controller which sets the display time for each index based on a dip-switch setting which is connected to the micro- controller inputs. In the case of a product display where item such as perfume bottles are displayed, the display case can have contact sensors mounted under each bottle so that when a customer picks up a bottle, the display will immediately index to the appropriate product and display that product as a 3D real image. The physical actions of the indexer, rotating product motor, and lighting are controlled by the software code written and stored in the micro-controller, based on the input signals that the micro-controller receives.

Referring now to Figure 1, a typical slot machine (3) is shown with a housing (17) installed containing a"top-box"real image projection system (4). The real image projection system (4) has an image source (5), which in this case is a video or monitor that emits light from the screen, passes through the optical elements (15,16) and then forms a real image (2) of the monitor screen floating out in space in front of the viewer. The system incorporates a background image source (9), which is visible through the window (12) behind the real image (2).

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device described in Figure 1. The real image projection system (4) contained in the top-box housing (17) projects a real image in space (2). The real image projection system (4) is positioned such that the angle of view (18) is compatible with the eyeball height (19) of the average viewers.

Figure 3 shows an example of a typical dual aspheric real image projection system (4) with dice as the image source (5), a rotation mechanism including spindle (7) and stepping motor (8), and the internal lighting (6). The display forms a real image (2) of the image source (5) in space in front of the device. The image source rotation is performed by a stepping motor (8), which can then be controlled by the slot machine computer.

Figure 4 shows an example of a typical dual aspheric real image display system (4) with a monitor as the image source (5). The image source in this example is a LCD panel (10), which strikes a fold mirror (11), redirecting the light from the image source into the projection system (4). The real image (2) is then redirected into space and formed out in front of the viewing window (12).

Figure 5 shows an example of an ATM machine (1) with a real image projection system (4) of Figure 3, incorporating an LCD panel as a background source (9) as a primary transaction screen. The image source in this example is a LCD panel (10), which strikes a fold mirror (11), redirecting the image into the optical system (4). The real image (2) is then redirected into space out in front of the viewing window (12).

Figure 6 shows a top-box (13) application of an ATM machine (1) whereby the real image (2) is separate from the transactional screen (14). The image source in this example is a LCD panel (10), which strikes a fold mirror (11), redirecting the image into

the projection system (4). The real image (2) is then redirected into space out in front of the viewing window (12). An optional secondary LCD screen is used as a background source (9) and is visible through the window (12) behind the real image (2).

Figure 7 shows a side view of a merchandising display wherein sampler perfume bottles (23) are displayed in an array for customer sampling. The real image projection system (4) contained in the upper portion of the housing (17) projects a rotating real image of a perfume bottle (2) in space. The actual image source (5) is a real perfume bottle, lighted by a bank of LED lamps, which serves as internal lighting (6) and is mounted to a motorized (8) rotating spindle (7).

Figure 8 shows a vending machine application wherein the real image projection system (4) is incorporated into the vending machine housing (17) to either enhance the operation and function of the machine or as an attractor. The real image (2) of the object is projected into space in front of the machine. The image source (5) is a LCD panel and emits light, reflecting off of a fold mirror (11), striking the upper aspheric mirror (optical element 15). It is then collimated, and strikes the lower aspheric mirror (optical element 16), reflecting as a converging beam to the focal point, forming the real image (2) in space. An LCD provides an optional background source (9) that is visible through the lower aspheric mirror (optical element 16), which preferably is optically coated with a beamsplitter coating or partially transmissive coating.

Figure 9 shows a typical solution to the dual channel MPEG player with synchronized starting, stopping and frame selection (91,92, 913). The device incorporates two Infrared controlled single MPEG Players (91,92) which are positioned so that the infrared receiver lenses (93,94) are aligned with the Infrared transmitter modules (95,96 respectively) which are located on the custom interface printed circuit board (913). The Mpeg Players (91,92) are equipped with Digital flash card holders (99,910) which contain the foreground and background videos in Mpeg Format. Each player has a dedicated Mpeg Decoder chip (911) and video and audio outputs (97) for each monitor input. The Infrared transmitters (95,96) are controlled by the outputs of a micro- controller (912) located on the custom interface board (913). The inputs of the micro- controller (12) receive digital instructions through a serial or USB interface port (98) on

the custom interface board (913). Since only the inputs of the micro-controller (912) are connected to the interface port (98), two way communication is not possible and therefore meets the requirements of the government agencies in maintaining security of the host computer connected to the interface port. Other methods of interface are used when infrared receivers are not available, such as direct connection to the serial pin-outs of the Mpeg player.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.

Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.