GAMING APPARATUS HAVING A CONFIGURABLE CONTROL PANEL

• US 20110183758A1
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Gadda, Chris, Griswold, Chauncey W., Wilder, Richard L., Mattice, Harold E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,561 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• 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 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions

Abstract

A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a value input device;

a display unit;

a player control panel defining a curved surface, the curved surface centered around at least one axis;

a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel; and

a controller operatively coupled to the value input device, the display unit, the player control panel, and the touch screen, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to receive value input data via the value input device,

the controller being programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game display,

the controller being programmed to select one of a plurality of player input displays,

the controller being programmed to receive player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays via the touch screen,

the controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

2. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface is convex.

3. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface is concave.

4. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface includes a circular profile.

5. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface includes a parabolic profile.

6. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, further including a gaming cabinet, the gaming cabinet defined by a front surface, top surface, back surface, bottom surface, left surface and right surface, the player control panel operatively coupled to at least one side of the gaming cabinet.

7. A gaming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the gaming cabinet front surface is curved to match the curved surface of the player control panel.

8. A gaming apparatus according to claim 6, further including a bolster pad.

9. A gaming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the bolster pad interfaces flush with the front surface, bottom surface, left surface, and right surface of the gaming cabinet.

10. A gaming apparatus according to claim 6, including one or more indicator lights on at least one of the front surface, top surface, back surface, bottom surface, left surface, and right surface.

11. A gaming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the one or more indicator lights is at least one of a jackpot indicator, a service indicator, and a decorative light.

12. A gaming apparatus according to claim 6, including one or more speakers on at least one of the front surface, top surface, bottom surface, left surface, and right surface.

13. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface centered around the at least one axis includes a constant radius.

14. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface centered around the at least one axis includes a variable radius.

15. A gaming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the variable radius forms a parabolic surface.

16. A gaming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the variable radius forms an elliptical surface.