Universal button module

• US 20060247048A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Luciano, Robert A. Jr., Mitchell, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US11/223,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247048A1
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a universal button module for use in connection with a machine, including a gaming machine. The universal button module is adaptable to perform particular functions in gaming machines such as controlling the selection of the number of pay lines to play or the number of credits to bet per pay line. Additionally, the universal button module comprises a display button positioned between the first button portion and the second button portion, wherein the display button portion displays information and may be manipulated to activate a function.

Claims

1. A universal button module for use in connection with a gaming machine, comprising:

a first button portion for increasing the number of pay lines to play or the number of credits to bet per pay line;

a second button portion for decreasing the number of pay lines to play or the number of credits to bet per pay line; and

a display button portion positioned between the first button portion and the second button portion, wherein the display button portion displays information and may be manipulated to activate a function.

2. The universal button module of claim 1, wherein the display button portion may be depressed to activate a function.

3. The universal button module of claim 1, wherein the display button portion may be toggled to activate a function.

4. The universal button module of claim 1, wherein one or more of the button portions are illuminated.

5. The universal button module of claim 1, wherein one or more of the button portions display a particular color, and the particular color corresponds to a particular game.

6. The universal button module of claim 1, wherein the display button portion is positioned approximately in the center of the universal button module.

7. The universal button module of claim 1, further comprising a coating covering at least a portion of the universal button module, wherein the coating comprises a texturized material.

8. The universal button module of claim 1, further comprising a slip-resistant material covering at least a portion of the universal button module.

9. A universal button module for use in connection with a machine, comprising:

a first button portion for controlling a first function in connection with the machine;

a second button portion for controlling a second function in connection with the machine; and

a display button portion comprising a display for outputting information, wherein the display button portion may be manipulated to activate a function.

10. The universal button module of claim 9, wherein the display button portion may be depressed to activate a function.

11. The universal button module of claim 9, wherein the display button portion may be toggled to activate a function.

12. The universal button module of claim 9, wherein the display button portion is located between the first button portion and the second button portion.

13. The universal button module of claim 9, further comprising one or more additional button portions.

15. The universal button module of claim 9, wherein one or more of the button portions are illuminated.

16. The universal button module of claim 9, wherein one or more of the button portions display a particular color, and the particular color corresponds to a particular game.

17. The universal button module of claim 9, further comprising a coating covering at least a portion of the universal button module, wherein the coating comprises a texturized material.

18. The universal button module of claim 9, further comprising a slip-resistant material covering at least a portion of the universal button module.

19. The universal button module of claim 9, wherein the universal button module is located on a gaming machine and the gaming machine comprises:

a cabinet having a game display;

a playing deck; and

one or more games having one or more pay lines.

14. The universal button module of 9, wherein the display button portion is positioned approximately in the center of the universal button module.