Gaming machine display and display method with multiple brightness levels

A gaming machine display device including:

• (a) a display device housing;
• (b) an image forming panel mounted on the display device housing and defining an overall display area facing in an image presenting direction and encompassing both a first display area and a second display area, the second display area being distinct from the first display area;
• (c) a first backlighting arrangement mounted within the display device housing for emitting first display area backlight over the first display area at a first brightness level;
• and
• (d) a second backlighting arrangement mounted within the display device housing for emitting second display area backlight over the second display area, the second display area backlight being at a second brightness level higher than the first brightness level while the first display area backlight remains at the first brightness level;
• wherein the second display area backlight is switchable between a first illumination state at the first brightness level and a second illumination state at the second brightness level, and wherein:
• the first backlighting arrangement includes a first display area set of illumination elements arranged in an illumination element density and operable to provide the first display area backlight over the first display area at the first brightness level;
• and (b) the second backlighting arrangement includes a second display area set of illumination elements arranged in the illumination element density and operable to (i) provide the second display area backlight over the second display area at the first brightness level and (ii) alternatively provide the second display area backlight over the second display area at the second brightness level.

A gaming machine including:

• (a) a gaming machine cabinet;
• (b) a display device housing mounted on the gaming machine cabinet;
• (c) an image forming panel mounted on the display device housing and defining an overall display area facing in an image presenting direction and encompassing both a first display area and a second display area, the second display area being distinct from the first display area;
• (d) a first backlighting arrangement mounted within the display device housing for emitting first display area backlight over the first display area at a first brightness level;
• (e) a second backlighting arrangement mounted within the display device housing for emitting second display area backlight over the second display area, the second display area backlight being switchable between the first brightness level and a second brightness level higher than the first brightness level while the first display area backlight remains at the first brightness level;
• and
• (f) an electronic control system mounted on the gaming machine cabinet the electronic control system being operable for controlling operation of the image forming panel, first backlighting arrangement, and second backlighting arrangement;
• (g) a dividing feature separating the first display area and the second display area, wherein the dividing feature includes a light baffle extending in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the overall display area.