GESTURE ENHANCED INPUT DEVICE

• US 20120108337A1
• Filed: 10/31/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: KELLY, Bryan, CHILDS, Julia, PATTON, Stephen, LYONS, Martin, MARTIN, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 8,992,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• 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 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means

Abstract

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a virtual player interface such as button deck for a gaming device. The interface includes a touch screed display which displays one or more button icons. The size, shape and location of the button icons may be reconfigured based upon player interaction or selection. Button functions or selections may be combined into a single button. The button reconfiguration may be saved to a player account to be applied when the player uses the gaming device or other applicable device. Haptic or audible feedback may be applied to the button icon based upon the location of the player'"'"'s touch relative to a target position on the icon.

Claims

1. A device with an improved button panel comprising:

a touch interface display displaying one or more virtual buttons;

a processor in communication with said display;

at one of said touch screen interface and processor configured to change the configuration of at least one displayed virtual button in response to interaction between the user and the display.

2. The device of claim 1 comprising at least on of said touch screen interface and said processor is configured to change one or more of the size, shape or location of the at least one displayed virtual button in response to interaction between the user and the display.

3. The device of claim 1 comprising at least one of said touch screen interface display and said processor is configured to alter one or more of the size, shape or location of the touch interface display parameters associated with at least one displayed virtual button in response to a sampling of touch positions by the user of said at least one displayed virtual button.

4. The device of claim 3 comprising at least one of said touch screen interface display and said processor is configured to alter one or more of the size, shape or location of the touch interface display parameters associated with at least one displayed virtual button in response to a sampling of touch positions over time by the user of said at least one displayed virtual button.

5. The device of claim 1 comprising at least one of said touch screen interface display and said processor is configured to alter one or more of the size, shape or location of the touch interface display parameters associated with at least one displayed virtual button in response to a sampling of touch positions over time by the user of said at least one displayed virtual button, said processor configured to alter the said at least one displayed virtual button in incremental dimensional steps.

6. The device of claim 1 comprising at least one of said touch screen interface display and processor are configured to provide sensory feedback to the user substantially responsive to the position of the users interaction with at least one displayed virtual button in response to interaction between the user and the display.

7. The device of claim 6 comprising said at least one of said touch screen interface and processor are configured to provide sensory feedback to the user substantially responsive to the position of the users interaction with a target associated with said at least one displayed virtual button.

8. The device of claim 7 comprising said at least one of touch screen interface and processor are configured to provide sensory feedback to the user substantially responsive to the position of the users interaction with a target associated with said at least one displayed virtual button, at least one of said touch screen interface and processor configured to alter the haptic response responsive to the position of the user'"'"'s interaction relative to said target.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said touch screen interface and said processor are configured to provide said sensory feedback as at least one of a haptic and auditory feedback.

10. An interface for a device offering at least a first and second function prompted by prompts at a user interface, said interface comprising:

a touch interface display to display at least a first virtual button icon associated with a said first function and a second virtual button icon associated with said second function, touching of said icons controlling the corresponding functions;

a processor to control said touch interface display;

said touch interface display including an interface for a user to select to associate said first and second functions into a single virtual button icon and to display to the user information confirming said association, whereby the first and second functions are prompted by the user using the single virtual button.

11. The interface device of claim 10 comprising a third virtual button icon configured to provide for said association.

12. The interface of claim 10 comprising said processor configured to sense a users drag and drop to associate said functions.

13. The interface of claim 10 comprising said processor configured to combine said first and second button icons into a single icon upon said association.

14. The interface of claim 10 comprising said touch screen interface display and processor are configured to provide sensory feedback to the user substantially responsive to interaction by the user with at least one displayed virtual button.

15. A gaming device of the type having a game display to display a game of chance including a plurality player selected functions, said gaming device comprising:

a touch interface to display at least a first virtual button icon associated with a said first function and a second virtual button icon associated with said second function, touching of said icons controlling the corresponding functions;

a processor to control said touch interface;

said touch interface including an interface for a user to select to associate said first and second functions into a single virtual button icon and to display to the user information confirming said association, whereby the first and second functions are prompted by the user using the single virtual button.

16. The gaming device of claim 15 comprising said first function relates to selection of a number of pay lines on which to wager and said second function relates to an amount to wager on said pay lines.

17. The gaming device of claim 16 comprising said touch screen interface display and processor are configured to provide sensory feedback to the user substantially responsive to interaction by the user with at least one displayed virtual button.

18. A method for a user a device to prompt at least a first and second function at a user interface, said method comprising:

displaying at a touch interface display at least a first virtual button icon associated with a said first function and a second virtual button icon associated with said second function, touching of said icons controlling the corresponding functions;

the user at said touch interface display selecting to associate said first and second functions into a single virtual button icon and controlling said display to associate said first and second functions into a said single virtual button and to provide to the user information confirming said association, whereby the first and second functions are prompted by the user using the single virtual button.

19. The method of claim 18 comprising providing sensory feedback to the user substantially responsive to interaction by the user with at least one displayed virtual button.