Device embedded in gaming machine handle

• US 8,628,416 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Scott, William, Koenig, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, Steve
• Application Number:
  US11/692,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20080242397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,484 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463/38, 463/42, 463/46
• US Class Current: 463/38
• 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 comprising a front surface and a side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the front surface;

a first visual display coupled to the front surface and configured 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 coupled to the side surface of the gaming cabinet via a coupler, wherein the gaming handle is operable by the player to initiate a gaming session and comprises a second interaction mechanism structured to allow the player to interact with the gaming device, the second interaction mechanism including a second visual display.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, where the second interaction mechanism displays a secondary game.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, where the second interaction mechanism displays information regarding a primary gaming session.

4. The gaming device of claim 3, where the gaming handle further includes an other player interaction device.

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

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

a gaming cabinet comprising a front surface and a side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the front surface;

a visual display coupled to the front surface and configured 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 coupled to the side surface of the gaming cabinet via a coupler, wherein the gaming handle is operable by the player to initiate a gaming session and comprises a second interaction mechanism structured to allow the player to interact with the gaming device, where the second interaction mechanism is a docking station structured to receive a personal player gaming module.

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

a gaming cabinet comprising a front surface and a side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the front surface;

a visual display coupled to the front surface and configured 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 coupled to the side surface of the gaming cabinet via a coupler, wherein the gaming handle is operable by the player to initiate a gaming session and comprises a second interaction mechanism structured to allow the player to interact with the gaming device, where the second interaction mechanism includes a wireless receiver.

8. A gaming system comprising:

a gaming server; and

a gaming device connected to the gaming server through a gaming network, the gaming device comprising a gaming cabinet, a button coupled to a front surface of the gaming cabinet, and a gaming handle connected to a side surface of the gaming cabinet via a coupler, the side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the front surface, where the gaming handle comprises at least one user interface device structured to facilitate interaction between a player and the gaming device to control an operation of the gaming device associated with the button, and wherein the coupler is configured to lock the gaming handle in an initial position prior to a start of a gaming session on the gaming device, where the user interface device comprises at least a portion of a player tracking device comprising a player tracking card reader.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, where the user interface device comprise a biometric scanner.