TRACKING DISPLAY WITH PROXIMITY BUTTON ACTIVATION

• US 20070287541A1
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: George, Jeffrey, Sepich, Edward, Soukup, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/841,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20070287541A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• 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 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A device for providing an interface to a gaming machine is provided. The device includes a processor, an ID card reader coupled to the processor, a display coupled to the processor for displaying a bezel and information within the bezel. The device also including a keypad coupled to the processor for receiving input, wherein the processor instructs the display to display media, instructions, and/or the like. The interface can also include an alternative tracking display system that employs proximity sensing technology, such as but not limited to proximity button activation. For example, the tracking display system can be operable to sense a player'"'"'s approaching finger entering an electrical field (e.g., corresponding to one or more electrodes) such that a particular button or function on the interface can be activated without the player'"'"'s finger having to ever physically contact a button, push pad, keypad, touch screen, and/or the like.

Claims

1. A player tracking device for providing a player interface to a player of a gaming machine, the player tracking device coupled to the gaming machine, comprising:

a processor;

a player tracking device coupled to the processor;

a touchless display coupled to the processor for displaying information to the player; and

a touchless input interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the touchless display for receiving input from a user for receiving input from the player;

wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface includes a resizing feature for permitting indicia on either the touchless display or touchless input interface to be increased in scale or size.

2. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface includes a sensor to detect the presence of the player.

3. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein when either the touchless display or touchless input interface detects the presence of the player, the touchless display or touchless input interface displays media to attract the player'"'"'s attention.

4. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein when either the touchless display or touchless input interface detects the presence of the player, the touchless display or touchless input interface can modify a display of media corresponding to the player'"'"'s profile.

5. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface can detect or recognize the player'"'"'s signature.

6. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the touchless input interface comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

7. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, the touchless display being a screen display.

8. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, the player being identified by at least one of a player ID card inserted in the player tracking device and an identification number entered on the touchless input interface.

9. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface provides tactile feedback to the player when a fingertip of the player is brought into proximity to either the touchless display or touchless input interface.

10. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface provides aural or visual feedback to the player when a fingertip of the player is brought into proximity to either the touchless display or touchless input interface.

11. A player tracking device for providing a player interface to a player of a gaming machine, the player tracking device coupled to the gaming machine, comprising:

a processor;

a player tracking device coupled to the processor;

a touchless display coupled to the processor for displaying information to the player; and

a touchless input interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the touchless display for receiving input from a user for receiving input from the player;

wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface includes a sensor to detect the presence of the player.

12. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface includes a resizing feature for permitting indicia on either the touchless display or touchless input interface to be increased in scale or size.

13. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein when either the touchless display or touchless input interface detects the presence of the player, the touchless display or touchless input interface displays media to attract the player'"'"'s attention.

14. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein when either the touchless display or touchless input interface detects the presence of the player, the touchless display or touchless input interface can modify a display of media corresponding to the player'"'"'s profile.

15. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface can detect or recognize the player'"'"'s signature.

16. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the touchless input interface comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

17. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, the touchless display being a screen display.

18. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, the player being identified by at least one of a player ID card inserted in the player tracking device and an identification number entered on the touchless input interface.

19. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface provides tactile feedback to the player when a fingertip of the player is brought into proximity to either the touchless display or touchless input interface.

20. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface provides aural or visual feedback to the player when a fingertip of the player is brought into proximity to either the touchless display or touchless input interface.

21. A player tracking device for providing a player interface to a player of a gaming machine, the player tracking device coupled to the gaming machine, comprising:

a processor;

a player tracking device coupled to the processor;

a touchless display coupled to the processor for displaying information to the player; and

a touchless input interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the touchless display for receiving input from a user for receiving input from the player;

wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface provides tactile feedback to the player when a fingertip of the player is brought into proximity to either the touchless display or touchless input interface.

22. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface includes a resizing feature for permitting indicia on either the touchless display or touchless input interface to be increased in scale or size.

23. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface includes a sensor to detect the presence of the player.

24. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 23, wherein when either the touchless display or touchless input interface detects the presence of the player, the touchless display or touchless input interface displays media to attract the player'"'"'s attention.

25. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 23, wherein when either the touchless display or touchless input interface detects the presence of the player, the touchless display or touchless input interface can modify a display of media corresponding to the player'"'"'s profile.

26. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface can detect or recognize the player'"'"'s signature.

27. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the touchless input interface comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

28. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, the touchless display being a screen display.

29. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, the player being identified by at least one of a player ID card inserted in the player tracking device and an identification number entered on the touchless input interface.

30. A player tracking device, as set forth in claim 21, wherein either the touchless display or touchless input interface provides aural or visual feedback to the player when a fingertip of the player is brought into proximity to either the touchless display or touchless input interface.