Gaming machine with configurable button panel

• US 20060189387A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rasmussen, James M., Rigsby, Gene
• Granted Patent: US 7,892,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• 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 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2014 Manually operated selector [e.g., remotely controlled device, lever, push button, rotary dial, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20244 Push button

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising a physically configurable button panel and at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel. The gaming machine also comprises an input panel disposed adjacent to the button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button and a controller for initiating a function in response to the output signal.

Claims

1. A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising:

a physically configurable button panel;

at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel;

an input panel disposed adjacent said button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button; and

a controller for initiating a function in response to the output signal.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the input panel includes a touch screen.

3. The gaming machine of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of mechanical buttons removably disposed in the button panel,

wherein said input panel is disposed adjacent said plurality of mechanical buttons to produce a output signal in response to a predetermined movement of each of said plurality of mechanical buttons; and

wherein the controller is configured to initiate at least one of a plurality of functions in response to each of said output signals.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the button panel includes a plurality of buttons, the input panel producing respective output signals in response to actuation of the respective buttons, the controller initiating respective functions in response to the respective output signals.

5. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the mechanical button includes an actuator, and wherein the actuator is configured to contact said input panel upon at least said predetermined movement of said button.

6. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a stylus nib.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the mechanical button includes a lamp.

8. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical button includes indicia indicative of said function.

9. The gaming machine of claim 8, wherein the indicia comprises at least one of an etching, screening, insert, and LCD display.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the button panel includes indicia indicative of said function.

11. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

providing a physically configurable button panel;

providing at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel;

providing an input panel disposed adjacent said mechanical button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button; and

initiating a function with a controller in response to the output signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the input panel includes a touch screen.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a plurality of mechanical buttons removably disposed in the button panel,

disposing said input panel adjacent said plurality of mechanical buttons to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of each of said plurality of mechanical buttons; and

configuring said controller to initiate at least one of a plurality of functions in response to each of said output signals.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the act of removing said at least one mechanical button and replacing said at least one mechanical button with another mechanical button.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the act of removing at least one mechanical button from said plurality of buttons and replacing said at least one mechanical button with another mechanical button.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the mechanical button includes an actuator, and wherein the actuator is configured to contact said input panel upon at least said predetermined movement.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the act of providing an indicia indicative of a function at least one of on, within, and adjacent said mechanical button.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the act of providing an indicia indicative of a function at least one of on, within, and adjacent at least said another mechanical button.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising the act of moving the at least one mechanical button from a first location to a second location on the button panel.

20. A physically configurable button panel for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the physically configurable button panel comprising at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel and an input panel for producing an output signal in response to actuation of the at least one mechanical button, the input panel being proximate to the button panel.