Wagering Game with Multi-Point Gesture Sensing Device

• US 20090191946A1
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomas, Alfred, Shimabukuro, Jorge L., Prohl, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,062,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• 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

A gaming machine having a multipoint sensing device capable of sensing a multipoint gesture, which includes at least two simultaneously touched points. One or both of the points can serve as an initial starting point for a gesture, which represents a continuous movement across the multipoint sensing device. The multipoint sensing device produces data representing a multipoint gesture, which data is analyzed to determine a wagering-game function to be executed. For example, the wagering-game function may be selecting a payline by touching two distinct points in a slot-type wagering game. Another function may be increasing a bonus award by dragging two fingers in opposite directions. Yet another function may be selecting a bonus award amount by holding one finger while dragging another ringer to aim at a target representing multiple bonus award amounts, one of those amounts being revealed to the player upon release of the other finger.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

an input device for receiving a signal representing a wager associated with a wagering game;

a video display for displaying the wagering game and a randomly selected outcome thereof;

a multipoint sensing device positioned adjacent to the video display and having an output for outputting multipoint input data indicative of a multipoint input relative to the video display such that the multipoint input corresponds to at least two distinct contact points sensed simultaneously by the multipoint sensing device; and

a controller coupled to the multipoint sensing device and the video display, the controller being programmed to execute a predetermined wagering-game function associated with said multipoint input data and to cause the video display to display at least one graphic as the at least two distinct contact points are sensed by the multipoint sensing device.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the multipoint sensing device includes a frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) device having a transparent substrate, the video display including a video projector for displaying images relative to the transparent substrate and a video camera for capturing scattered light at multiple points of contact on the transparent pane.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the multipoint sensing device is a multipoint touch screen that includes a plurality of capacitive electrodes arrayed relative to a transparent substrate, the multipoint touch screen overlaying at least a portion of the display.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the video display is of the liquid crystal type.

5. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a handheld gaming machine.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the multipoint input includes a gesture, the multipoint input data being indicative of any one or more of a direction, a size, a velocity, an acceleration, and a pressure of the gesture sensed by the multipoint sensing device.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a bonus game.

8. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wagering-game function includes a selection of a payline.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wagering-game function includes an amount to wager per payline.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wagering-game function includes a selection of a bonus award amount.

11. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wagering-game function includes a selection of a plurality of keno numbers or roulette numbers.

12. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wagering-game function includes a request to hold multiple cards of the wagering game.

13. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to cause the video display to display a motion trail with the multipoint input sensed by the multipoint sensing device.

14. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the multipoint input corresponds to a point that is touched relative to the multipoint sensing device and held there while touching another point, dragging that other point relative to the multipoint sensing device, and releasing that other point.

15. The gaming machine of claim 14, wherein the wagering-game function includes a selection of a bonus award amount that is revealed to the player as a function of the respective coordinates of the touched point and the released point.

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

receiving a signal representing a wager associated with a wagering game;

displaying on a video display of the gaming machine a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game;

identifying at least one multipoint gesture based on data received from a multipoint sensing device; and

responsive to the identifying, modifying signals in the gaming machine and displaying on the video display one or more graphics as each point is sensed by the multipoint sensing device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the modifying signals includes causing a controller of the gaming machine to determine, responsive to the identifying, a wagering-game function and to execute the wagering-game function.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising comparing the data with data representing a wagering-game function, the modifying including executing the wagering-game function responsive to the comparing.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one multipoint gesture includes at least two distinct points touched simultaneously on the multipoint sensing device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one multipoint gesture includes at least two gestures moved simultaneously relative to the multipoint sensing device and having two distinct initial touch points.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one multipoint gesture includes at least a first touch point held relative to the multipoint sensing device while simultaneously at least a second touch point, distinct from the first touch point, is gestured relative to the multipoint sensing device.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the displaying further comprises displaying an animation synchronized with the at least one multipoint gesture sensed by the multipoint sensing device.

23. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining any one or more of a direction, size, velocity, acceleration, and pressure associated with the at least one multipoint gesture, and responsive thereto, causing a wagering-game function to be executed.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising associating, responsive to the identifying, a selection of a payline with the at least one multipoint gesture.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising associating, responsive to the identifying, a number of wagers per payline with the at least one multipoint gesture.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising associating, responsive to the identifying, a selection of a bonus award amount with the at least one multipoint gesture.

27. The method of claim 16, further comprising associating, responsive to the identifying, a selection of multiple cards with the at least one multipoint gesture.

28. A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions for directing a handheld gaming machine to perform the method of claim 16.

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

receiving a signal indicative of a wager input for a wagering game;

displaying on the gaming machine a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game;

receiving data from a multipoint sensing device indicative of at least one multipoint gesture, the multipoint gesture including at least two points simultaneously touched relative to the multipoint sensing device;

comparing said data with representative ones of a plurality of predetermined multipoint gesture inputs, each predetermined input corresponding to a representative player input;

associating each player input with a corresponding function related to the wagering game;

executing the function associated with the player input corresponding to the predetermined multipoint gesture input; and

displaying a graphic that is correlated with the at least one multipoint gesture.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the multipoint gesture includes at least one gesture originating at one of the at least two points.