SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR OPERATING WAGERING GAME MACHINES WITH ENHANCED USER INTERFACES

• US 20140315619A1
• Filed: 04/16/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowers, Travis L., Garvey, Jesse L., Ralston, Samuel D., Fester, Christopher T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,576,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members

Abstract

Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for operating wagering game machines are disclosed. A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first display device that is configured to display aspects of the wagering game. The first display device includes a touchscreen configured to receive user inputs. The gaming machine also includes a second display device that is configured to display a plurality of user-selectable elements. The second display device is further configured to display a selection mechanism in response to a first user input received from a user via the touchscreen of the first display device. The second display device is also configured, in response to a second user input received from the user via the touchscreen of the first display device, to display the selection mechanism selecting at least one of the displayed user-selectable elements.

Claims

1. A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, the gaming machine comprising:

a first display device configured to display aspects of the wagering game, the first display device including a touchscreen configured to receive user inputs; and

a second display device configured to display a plurality of user-selectable elements, the second display device being further configured to display a selection mechanism in response to a first user input received from a user via the touchscreen of the first display device, and the second display device being further configured, in response to a second user input received from the user via the touchscreen of the first display device, to display the selection mechanism selecting at least one of the displayed user-selectable elements.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the second display device is further configured, in response to a third user input received from the user via the touchscreen of the first display device, to display the selection mechanism moving towards and then designating one of the user-selectable elements prior to selecting the user-selectable element.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first user input includes the user touching the touchscreen of the first display device, and the second user input includes the user releasing the touching of the touchscreen.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user-selectable elements includes a variety of user-selectable operator setup options provided in an administrator configuration menu.

5. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the selection mechanism is a display-generated cursor.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the selection mechanism is not displayed by the second display device until the first user input is received from the user via the touchscreen of the first display device.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the second display device is characterized by a lack of a touchscreen.

8. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the touchscreen of the first display device is absolutely mapped to the display area of the second display device such that each touch-sensitive location of the touchscreen corresponds to a respective location of the selection mechanism displayed on the second display device.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the touchscreen of the first display device is relatively mapped to the display area of the second display device such that the user can enter inputs on any touch-sensitive location of the touchscreen or any touch-sensitive location within a select subsection of the touchscreen to control the selection mechanism displayed on the second display device.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first display device is configured to display randomly determined base-game outcomes of the wagering game, and the second display device is configured to display randomly determined bonus-game outcomes of the wagering game.

11. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first display device includes a transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) device that is positioned in front of a plurality of mechanical reels.

12. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the transmissive LCD device includes a window portion through which the mechanical reels are visible, the transmissive LCD device being operable to display images on select portions thereof except on the window portion.

13. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game, the gaming system comprising:

a first display device configured to display aspects of the wagering game, the first display device including a touchscreen configured to sense user inputs and output signals indicative thereof;

a second display device configured to display aspects of the wagering game and a variety of user-selectable operator setup options;

one or more processors operatively connected to the first and second display devices to transmit signals therebetween; and

one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to;

receive an indication of a wager to play the wagering game;

responsive to the received indication of the wager, direct the first display device to display a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game;

direct the second display device to display the user-selectable operator setup options;

responsive to a first signal from the touchscreen of the first display device indicating receipt of a first user input, direct the second display device to display a selection mechanism; and

responsive to a second signal from the touchscreen of the first display device indicating receipt of a second user input, direct the second display device to display the selection mechanism selecting at least one of the user-selectable operator setup options.

14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the second display device is a community display associated with a bank of gaming terminals.

15. A method of operating a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, the gaming machine having one or more input devices, one or more display devices, and one or more processors, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of a wager to play the wagering game;

directing, via at least one of the one or more processors, a first of the one or more display devices to display a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game, the first display device including a touchscreen configured to receive user inputs;

directing, via at least one of the one or more processors, a second of the one or more display devices to display a plurality of user-selectable elements;

receiving, via the touchscreen of the first display device, a first user input;

responsive to receipt of the first user input via the touchscreen of the first display device, directing the second display device to display a selection mechanism;

receiving, via the touchscreen of the first display device, a second user input; and

responsive to receipt of the second user input via the touchscreen of the first display device, directing the second display device to display the selection mechanism selecting at least one of the user-selectable elements.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving, via the touchscreen of the first display device, a third user input; and

responsive to receipt of the third user input via the touchscreen of the first display device, directing the second display device to display the selection mechanism moving towards and then designating one of the user-selectable elements prior to selecting the user-selectable element.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first user input includes the user touching the touchscreen of the first display device, and the second user input includes the user releasing the touching of the touchscreen.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of user-selectable elements includes a variety of user-selectable operator setup options provided in an administrator configuration menu.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the selection mechanism is a display-generated cursor.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the touchscreen of the first display device is absolutely mapped to the display area of the second display device such that each touch-sensitive location of the touchscreen corresponds to a respective location of the selection mechanism displayed on the second display device.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the first display device includes a transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) device that is positioned in front of a plurality of mechanical reels.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the first display device is configured to display randomly determined base-game outcomes of the wagering game, and the second display device is configured to display randomly determined bonus-game outcomes of the wagering game.