Wagering game input apparatus and method

• US 9,092,931 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2011
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Loose, Timothy C., Rasmussen, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LIDDLE, JAY TRENT
• Application Number:
  US13/162,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20120149457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/241 Touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 5/00 Roulette games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means

Abstract

Systems described herein include wagering game systems having one or more electrically responsive touch screens, and input devices for use with such touch screens. The disclosure addresses example configurations for such input devices that may be used to provide inputs to the wagering game system. The described input devices may be used to provide various input capabilities to the gaming assembly, and to thereby facilitate different configuration options of the gaming assemblies, including new operational options and functional capabilities.

Claims

1. A wagering game assembly, comprising:

an electrically responsive touch screen configured to display an image to a player of a casino wagering game, and further configured to receive an electrical stimulus as an input to the casino wagering game;

a first, free-standing, moveable electronic input device (EID) configured to provide the electrical stimulus to the electrically responsive touch screen as the input to the casino wagering game, the first EID having a contact surface and a plurality of electrical contacts proximate the contact surface, the plurality of electrical contacts operatively arranged in a predetermined pattern to further provide machine-determinable differences that uniquely identify the first EID with respect to a second EID in use at the wagering game assembly when the first EID is in contact with the electrically responsive touch screen.

2. The wagering game assembly of claim 1, wherein the first EID is configured to provide the electrical stimulus only when the player contacts the first EID.

3. The wagering game assembly of claim 1, wherein the machine-determinable differences associate a player identity with the first EID.

4. The wagering game assembly of claim 1, wherein the first EID provides a first input to the casino wagering game as a result of the first EID being placed at a first location on the electrically responsive touch screen, and provides a second, different input to the casino wagering game as a result of the first EID being placed at a second, different location on the electrically responsive touch screen.

5. The wagering game assembly of claim 2, wherein the first EID further comprises a mechanically movable switch member, and wherein the first EID provides the electrical stimulus in response to movement of the switch member by the player.

6. The wagering game assembly of claim 1, wherein the first EID further comprises a mechanically movable switch member, and wherein the first EID provides said electrical stimulus in response to contact of the player with the first EID, and wherein the first EID provides a further electrical stimulus in response to movement of the switch member by the player.

7. A first electronic input device (EID) for use with a wagering game assembly including an electrically responsive, multi-touch touch screen, comprising,

a body member having at least one generally planar contact surface, configured to allow the body member to stand in a fixed position when the contact surface is placed on a planar surface of the electrically responsive, multi-touch touch screen;

a plurality of electrical conductor surfaces proximate the contact surface, each electrical conductor surface placed to enable communication of an electrical stimulus from the conductor surface to the electrically responsive, multi-touch touch screen to provide an input to the wagering game assembly, the plurality of electrical conductor surfaces being operatively arranged in a predetermined pattern to further provide machine-determinable differences that uniquely identify the first EID with respect to a second EID in use at the wagering game system; and

at least one electrical input contact in electrical communication with at least one electrical conductor surface.

8. The first EID of claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical input contact is disposed on one or more external surfaces of the first EID and is arranged to establish electrical contact with a user when the user grasps the first EID.

9. The first EID of claim 7, wherein the first EID provides a first input to a casino wagering game as a result of the first EID being placed at a first location on the electrically responsive, multi-touch touch screen, and provides a second, different input to the casino wagering game as a result of the first EID being placed at a second, different location on the electrically responsive, multi-touch touch screen.

10. The first EID of claim 7, wherein the first EID further comprises:

a contact in electrical communication with a reference potential; and

a switch assembly comprising at least one movable switch element, wherein the movable switch element is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein movement of the switch element to the second position will establish communication between the reference potential and at least one electrical conductor surface.

11. The first EID of claim 7, wherein the machine-determinable differences associate the player identity with the first EID.

12. A method of operating a casino wagering game including an electrically responsive touch screen, comprising the acts of:

receiving at least a first multi-touch input to the casino wagering game from a player of the casino wagering game, the first multi-touch input received through the electrically responsive touch screen, wherein the first multi-touch input is an electrical stimulus and is received through a first movable game piece associated with the casino wagering game, wherein the first multi-touch is received at a first location, and wherein the first multi-touch input is received in the absence of physical contact between the player and the electrically responsive touch screen proximate the first location;

in response to receiving the first multi-touch input, establishing at least a first parameter of the game configuration and determining the orientation of the first movable game piece in reference to the first multi-touch input; and

operating the casino wagering game in accordance with the first established parameter and the determined orientation of the first movable game piece.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrical stimulus results from electrical engagement between the player'"'"'s body and the first movable game piece.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrical stimulus results from electrical communication between the first movable game piece and a reference voltage.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the reference voltage is supplied through an electrical conductor from a location external to the first movable game piece.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first movable game piece includes a player actuable switch, and wherein the at least one electrical stimulus results from electrical communication with a voltage potential supplied through an electrical conductor in response to a player actuation of the switch.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the established game configuration comprises at least one of a player'"'"'s wager, a game play format, an audio presentation, and a visual presentation.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the acts of:

receiving at least a second input to the casino wagering game from a second player of the casino wagering game, the second input received through the electrically responsive touch screen, wherein the second input is an electrical stimulus and is received through a second movable game piece associated with the casino wagering game and is received at a second location, and the second input is received in the absence of physical contact between the second player and the touch screen proximate that second location;

in response to receiving the second input, establishing at least a second parameter of the game configuration; and

operating the casino wagering game in accordance with the first and second established parameters.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second player input is a multi-touch input comprising a plurality of touch screen contact locations, and wherein the method further comprises the acts of determining the orientation of the second movable game piece, in reference to the plurality of touch screen contact locations associated with each of those movable game pieces.

20. A method of operating a wagering game machine that includes a touch screen, comprising the acts of:

receiving a first input to the wagering game machine from a player of a casino wagering game, the first input received through the touch screen as an electrical stimulus, and received through an electrical input device (EID) in the absence of physical contact between the player and the touch screen proximal the EID, the EID including a plurality of electrically conductive pads arranged to provide electrical stimulus to the touch screen, and wherein the first input is based on at least one of an electronically recorded association between the player and the electrical input device and the placement location of the electrical input device on the touch screen;

receiving a second input to the wagering game machine from the player of the casino wagering game, the second input received through the touch screen as an electrical stimulus, and received through the electrical input device, wherein the second input is received as a result of user actuation of switching functionality in the electrical input device, wherein the first input is generated through use of at least one electrically conductive pad that is not used in providing the second input; and

executing the casino wagering game to an outcome in reference to the first and second inputs.

21. The method of operating a wagering game machine of claim 20, wherein the electronically recorded association between the player and the electrical input device is established in the casino wagering game machine.

22. The method of operating a wagering game machine of claim 20, wherein the switching functionality in the electrical input device is implemented at least in part through use of a mechanical switch including a movable switch member.