System for interfacing a user and a casino gaming machine

• US 20040038721A1
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wells, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,628,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for interfacing with a user at a casino gaming machine are disclosed. An input control panel with a plurality dynamic buttons is provided. The dynamic buttons may be activated by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc. Each dynamic button may include a display area (e.g., an LCD), a transparent tactile feedback portion (e.g., a pliable polyurethane membrane), and an input detection portion (e.g., a transparent touch screen). A dynamic button may be depressed to make an input selection and may include a display area which is visible through the button. During operation of a dynamic button, the controller may send image data for display on the button and receive input signals from the input detection portion of the button when a user depresses the button.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus comprising:

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a transparent touch screen surface covering at least a portion of the display unit;

a transparent switch member covering at least a portion of the touch screen surface, the transparent switch member being structured to avoid contact with the transparent touch screen surface when the transparent switch member is in a first position, the transparent switch member being structured to contact the transparent touch screen surface when the transparent switch member is in a second position; and

a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the value input device, and the transparent touch screen surface, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to cause an input indicator to be generated at the portion of the display unit covered by the transparent touch screen surface, the input indicator being visible through the transparent switch member, the input indicator representing a portion of one of the following games;

video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno or video bingo,

the controller being programmed to receive an input signal generated in response to movement of the transparent switch member from the first position to the second position.

2. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent switch member comprises a polyurethane lens.

3. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the polyurethane lens is structured to magnify the input indicator.

4. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent switch member comprises a pliable silicon membrane.

5. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the polyurethane lens is structured to magnify the input indicator.

6. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display and a cathode ray tube.

7. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the transport switch member comprises a glass lens.

8. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to cause the input indicator to depict a first image during play of a first casino game and a second image during play of a second casino game, the first image being different than the second image, the first casino game being different than the second casino game.

9. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to cause the input indicator to depict a first image during a first mode of a casino game and a second image during a second mode of the casino game, the first image being different than the second image, the first mode being different than the second mode.

10. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to cause the input indicator to change periodically.

11. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent touch screen surface comprises a resistive touch screen surface.

12. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent touch screen surface comprises a capacitive touch screen surface.

13. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a non-input portion, wherein the transparent touch screen surface does not cover the non-input portion.

14. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 1, the gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

15. A gaming system as defined in claim 14, wherein the gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.

16. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to operate a game selected from the group of games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo.

17. A gaming apparatus comprising:

slot machine reels;

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a transparent touch screen surface covering at least a portion of the display unit;

a transparent switch member covering at least a portion of the touch screen surface, the transparent switch member being structured to avoid contact with the transparent touch screen surface when the transparent switch member is in a first position, the transparent switch member being structured to contact the transparent touch screen surface when the transparent switch member is in a second position; and

a controller operatively coupled to the slot machine reels, display unit, the value input device, and the transparent touch screen surface, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to cause an input indicator to be generated at the portion of the display unit covered by the transparent touch screen surface, the input indicator being visible through the transparent switch member, the input indicator representing a portion of a slots game,

the controller being programmed to receive an input signal generated in response to movement of the transparent switch member from the first position to the second position.

18. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the transparent switch member comprises a polyurethane lens.

19. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the polyurethane lens is structured to magnify the input indicator.

20. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the transparent switch member comprises a pliable silicon membrane.

21. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the polyurethane lens is structured to magnify the input indicator.

22. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the display unit comprises a liquid crystal display.

23. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the display unit comprises a cathode ray tube.

24. A gaming apparatus comprising:

a first display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a second display unit that is capable of generating video images, the second display unit being separate from the first display unit;

a transparent touch screen surface covering at least a portion of the second display unit;

a transparent switch member covering at least a portion of the touch screen surface, the transparent switch member being structured to provide tactile feedback when the transparent switch member is depressed by a human operator; and

a controller operatively coupled to the first display unit, the second display unit, and the transparent touch screen surface, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to cause the first display unit to display a first image associated with a casino game selected from the group of casino games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,

the controller being programmed to cause the second display unit to display a second image associated with the casino game, the second image being visible through the transparent switch member,

the controller being programmed to receive an input signal from the transparent touch screen surface in response to a depression of the transparent switch member.

25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the transparent switch member comprises a polyurethane lens structured to magnify the second image.

26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the controller is further programmed to select the second image from a plurality of images based on a setup input indicative of the casino game.

27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the controller is further programmed to periodically change the second image.