DEVICE EMBEDDED IN GAMING MACHINE HANDLE

• US 20080242397A1
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Scott, William, Koenig, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 8,628,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a gaming device with a player interaction mechanism included in a gaming machine handle. In one embodiment, a gaming device operable by a player includes a gaming cabinet housing a processor to operate gaming sessions on the gaming device and having a display to visually represent the outcome of the gaming session. The gaming device also includes a first player interaction mechanism arranged on the gaming cabinet, a gaming handle attached to the gaming cabinet, and a second player interaction mechanism located on the gaming handle.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable by a player, the gaming device comprising:

a gaming cabinet having a visual display to communicate a result of a gaming session to the player;

gaming circuitry housed inside the gaming cabinet, the gaming circuitry arranged to operate the gaming session;

a first interaction mechanism arranged on the gaming cabinet, the first interaction mechanism structured to allow the player to interact with the gaming device; and

a gaming handle attached to the gaming cabinet and operable by a player to initiate a gaming session, the gaming handle including a second interaction mechanism structured to allow the player to interact with the gaming device.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, where the second interaction mechanism includes a button.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, where the second interaction mechanism includes at least a portion of a player tracking device.

4. The gaming device of claim 3, where the player tracking device includes a biometric scanner.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, where the second interaction mechanism is a docking station structured to receive a personal player gaming module.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, where the visual display of the gaming cabinet includes at least three mechanical spinning reels.

7. The gaming device of claim 1 where the second interaction mechanism is a toggle switch.

8. The gaming device of claim 7, where the toggle switch determines the functionality of the first interaction mechanism.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, where the gaming handle is operable in a second direction to initiate a second function of the gaming device.

10. The gaming device of claim 9, where the second interaction mechanism is a toggle switch, the toggle switch structured to determine the functionality of the second function.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, where the second interaction mechanism includes a wireless receiver.

12. The gaming device of claim 1, where the gaming device includes a secondary gaming handle.

13. The gaming device of claim 12, where the secondary gaming handle includes a third interaction mechanism that allows a player to interact with the gaming device.

14. The gaming device of claim 13, where the third interaction mechanism determines a function associated with actuating the second interaction mechanism.

15. A gaming device comprising:

a gaming cabinet adapted to allow a player to place a wager on a game of chance; and

a gaming handle connected to the gaming cabinet, the gaming handle including at least one device structured to facilitate interaction between the player and the gaming device.

16. The gaming device of claim 15, where the gaming handle is operable in a first direction to initiate a gaming session on the gaming device.

17. The gaming device of claim 15, where the gaming handle is adjustable such that the gaming handle can be configured in a plurality of initial positions.

18. A gaming device operable by a player to wager on a game during a gaming session, the gaming device comprising:

a gaming processor to operate the game responsive to player inputs;

a gaming display providing visual indicia of a gaming result;

a gaming cabinet housing the gaming processor and the gaming display;

a gaming handle connected to the gaming cabinet; and

a user interface device mounted to the gaming handle.

19. The gaming device of claim 18, where the user interface device mounted to the gaming handle is associated with a plurality of selectable player interaction functions.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, where the player interaction function associated with the user interface device mounted on the gaming handle is selectable by the player.

21. The gaming device of claim 19, where the player interaction function associated with the user interface device mounted on the gaming handle is selectable by a casino operator.

22. A gaming system comprising:

a gaming server;

a gaming device connected to the gaming server through a gaming network, the gaming device including a gaming cabinet and a gaming handle connected to the gaming cabinet, where the gaming handle includes at least one user interface device structured to facilitate interaction between a player and the gaming device.

23. The gaming system of claim 22, where the user interface device comprises at least a portion of a player tracking device.

24. The gaming system of claim 23, where the user interface device comprises a player tracking card reader.

25. The gaming system of claim 23, where the user interface device comprises a biometric scanner.