Method and apparatus for controlling a display on a light device in a gaming unit

A gaming apparatus, comprising:

• a display unit that is capable of generating video images;
• a value input device;
• a peripheral bus connection adapted to operatively couple said gaming apparatus with a light device, said light device having a plurality of independently operable lights;
• a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said gaming unit controller comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to said first processor,
• said gaming unit controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,
• said gaming unit controller being programmed to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing one of the following games:
• video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno or video bingo,
• said video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,
• said video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,
• said video image comprising an image of a pachinko board and a pachinko ball if said game comprises video pachinko,
• said video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,
• said video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno,
• said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo,
• said gaming unit controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game,
• said gaming unit controller being programmed to read a light display pattern file stored in said first memory, said light display pattern file having a first light display pattern and a second light display pattern, each of said light display patterns having color illumination data for illuminating said plurality of lights;
• and
• a light device controller operatively coupled to said light device and operatively coupled to said gaming unit controller via said peripheral bus connection, said light device controller comprising a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to said second processor,
• said light device controller being programmed to receive one of said light display patterns from said gaming unit controller,
• said light device controller being programmed to read said illumination data contained within said light display pattern, and
• said light device controller being programmed to cause the light display pattern to be generated on said light device by illuminating said plurality of lights in accordance with said illumination data.

A slot machine, comprising:

• a plurality of gaming reels;
• a value input device;
• a light device having at least one independently operable light;
• a slot machine controller operatively coupled to said gaming reels and said value input device, said slot machine controller comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to said first processor,
• said slot machine controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,
• said slot machine controller being programmed to cause said gaming reels to rotate and stop, representing a game,
• said slot machine controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game,
• said slot machine controller being programmed to initiate a light display on said light device, and
• said slot machine controller being programmed to read a light display pattern file stored in said first memory, said light display pattern file having a first light display pattern and a second light display pattern, each of said light display patterns having color illumination data for illuminating said at least one independently operable light;
• and
• a light device controller operatively coupled to said light device and operatively coupled to said slot machine controller via a peripheral bus connection, said light device controller comprising a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to said second processor,
• said light device controller being programmed to receive one of said light display patterns from said slot machine controller,
• said light device controller being programmed to read said illumination data contained within said light display pattern, and
• said light device controller being programmed to cause the light display pattern to be generated on said light device by illuminating said at least independently operable light in accordance with said illumination data.

A pachinko gaming apparatus, comprising:

• a pachinko board element;
• a plurality of pachinko ball elements;
• a value input device;
• a light device having a plurality of independently operable lights;
• a pachinko gaming controller operatively coupled to said pachinko board element and said value input device, said pachinko gaming controller comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to said first processor,
• said pachinko gaming controller being programmed to allow a person to initiate a pachinko game by causing at least one of said plurality of pachinko ball elements to contact said pachinko board element,
• said pachinko gaming controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said pachinko game,
• said pachinko gaming controller being programmed to initiate a light display on said light device, and
• said pachinko gaming controller being programmed to read a light display pattern file stored in said first memory, said light display pattern file having a first light display pattern and a second light display pattern, each of said light display patterns having color illumination data for illuminating said plurality of lights;
• and
• a light device controller operatively coupled to said light device and operatively coupled to said pachinko gaming controller via a peripheral bus connection, said light device controller comprising a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to said second processor,
• said light device controller being programmed to receive one of said light display patterns from said pachinko gaming controller,
• said light device controller being programmed to read said illumination data contained within said light display pattern, and
• said light device controller being programmed to cause the light display pattern to be generated on said light device by illuminating said plurality of lights in accordance with said illumination data.