JP2008539892A - Apparatus and method for user interface capable of dynamically changing settings in chance game - Google Patents

Abstract

  The device and method of the present invention changes the input device that receives an input to be interpreted and applied according to one input state in one game state, and interprets and applies the input received in a different game state according to a different input state. The game device is set to do so. In any embodiment, many different input devices can be reconfigured to provide the same input in one or more game states. Also, in any embodiment, the radix input device set in one game state can be changed to a different radix input device set in another game state.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic game system and apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is a method and system that allows an input interface to be reconfigured as a primary input during a game, thereby allowing a player to enter a given selection more quickly and easily. .
This application is a US provisional patent entitled “Device and Method for User Interface in Games of Chance” filed on May 3, 2005 by the present applicant. Claims priority of application 60 / 677,513.

  The user interface is an important component for the success of an electronic game system. There are two main elements to get into play. Players may not even try to play the game if the user interface is too cumbersome. Similarly, overcoming annoying processes may still make the player's feelings unclear. Another factor is ergonomics. The more time and effort the player has to continue the game, the more likely such a player will end the game session sooner.

  To address these user interface concerns, several techniques are used in electronic gaming systems. One such technique is to place user control buttons close to each other to minimize the amount of hand or pointer movement that the player must make to move between the last selection and the next selection. It is to reduce. In another technique, the button that the game designer wants the player to notice and use is somehow brightened, colored or highlighted. Another technique places the most important buttons in the most convenient location relative to the other buttons. In electronic games with a touch screen interface, this is often the right position closest to the player's right hand.

  These techniques, however, are ineffective or more difficult due to the fact that the relative use of game buttons often changes as the game progresses through multiple game states. For example, a game button that controls the initial bet amount may be required before the game starts but is not required after play has begun. A Hold / Discard game button in a draw poker game is not required until after the bet is completed, but is required after that.

  In order to take into account this shift in importance, one technique employs a configurable game button that changes the function and name of a given game button as the game phase changes. It can be changed. For example, the game continuously displays the most frequently used or most desirable functions on the right edge of the control bar at the bottom of the screen and displays such game buttons in a specially bright color, such as gold. Can be displayed.

  In a game such as 3 card poker, the rightmost game button changes function and name based on the stage of the game. After playing the game and before starting the next game, this game button functions as a REBET. Once the wager is settled, the game button is DEAL. The game button is set to PLAY when the game starts and the player has to make a game decision. Other play decision game buttons, such as FOLD (get out of the game), are located adjacent to the REBET / DEAL / PLAY game buttons, and such game buttons are typically used sequentially. The position between which the player needs to enter his desired selection from where it was originally (typically above the DEAL game button when starting the game) The labor required to move to

  Usually, the last game button input performed by the player in the three-card poker is either FOLD or PLAY. When the player selects PLAY at the end, the cursor is already positioned to click REBET without moving. If the player has a reason to believe that the cursor has not moved since clicking PLAY, the player will position the cursor to see if the cursor is properly positioned to click the next game button. You don't even need to see. If the player finally selects FOLD, the player must click on the rightmost game button (REBET) and move the cursor to position it to continue playing. However, the distance to move the cursor is the shortest.

  As game requirements change from game step to game step, the prediction of the set of game buttons to select also changes. Accordingly, in order to increase the ergonomic efficiency of a game by minimizing the cursor movement or effort required for user input selection, the art has developed a game to facilitate selection of game options by players. It can be seen that there is a need for a method and device that includes an input device that is configurable through play. Furthermore, in technically feasible implementations, the number of game buttons associated between game states may vary, so one of the game buttons, for example 1 to n or n to 1, is used. There is a need to be able to change the set to a second set of game buttons with different cardinality.

  The present invention is a method for dynamically changing the setting of an input device for different input states according to the game state. The invention also includes devices having one or more configurable input devices. According to the present invention, one input device can have different effects during a game. That is, according to the present invention, when the input device is activated, the input device is dynamically changed according to the different input state in order to supply different input to the game according to the game state of the chance game. can do.

  According to any embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device for executing a chance game having multiple game states includes an electronic display, an input device that receives user input, and a processor that communicates with the display and the input device. . The processor is configured to execute instructions for playing a game having at least two game states. Two or more input states are correlated to different game states, and the input device is configured to change settings between the different input states. Thus, user input received at an input device in a game state is interpreted by the processor according to the input state associated with the game state. More specifically, user input received at the input device in one game state is interpreted by the processor according to the input state associated with the one game state, and received at the input device in another game state. The user input is interpreted by the processor according to the input state associated with the different game state. The present invention may include a large number of input devices, and each input device may be configured to change settings between a plurality of input states correlated to different game states.

For example, in one optional embodiment, the gaming device executes at least one chance game having multiple game states. The gaming device includes at least one input device that receives user input and communicates with the processor.
The input device has at least one input button configured to dynamically change settings between at least two different input states. Input devices can also include mechanical buttons, display buttons, and the like. In any one embodiment that includes a mechanical button, the mechanical button may include an instruction for each input state and a lighting device for each instruction. In any such embodiment, the processor is configured to selectively illuminate an indication for an input state that is correlated to a game state during a chance game.

  In another optional embodiment, the input device may include at least one display button on the display. In any such embodiment, the data structure can store a display button image for each input state, and the processor can display a display button for the input state correlated to the game state during the chance game. Command. The display button can take many different forms. In one optional embodiment, the display button image for each input state has substantially the same dimensions when displayed on the display. In another optional embodiment, the data structure stores at least one large display button image and at least two small display button images, the two small display button images displayed simultaneously adjacent to each other on the display. Then, the dimensions are substantially the same as the large display button image.

  As described above, the processor communicates with one input device and the data structure communicates with the processor. The data structure stores the correlation between the input state and the game state, and the instructions that the processor executes to play the chance game. User input received at the input device in one state of the chance game is interpreted by the processor according to the input state correlated to the game state and received at the input device in another game state of the chance game The input is interpreted by the processor according to the input state correlated with the other game state.

  In certain embodiments, the processor is remote from the input device. In such embodiments, the input device communicates with the terminal processor. The terminal processor communicates with the terminal communication device, while the terminal communication device communicates with the host communication device. Optionally, the terminal communication device and the host communication device communicate through a computer network, such as a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or the Internet. The processor communicates with the host communication device.

  The present invention also includes a method. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for executing a chance game having a plurality of game states includes providing an input device that receives user input. At least two different input states are defined, and each input state is associated with at least one game state in the chance game. Each input state is correlated to at least one game state in the chance game. Run a chance game. User input is received at the input device during the chance game. The user input performs a chance game according to an effect associated with the input state correlated with the game state at the time the user input is received. Thus, a chance game is played in various ways with user input received at the input device during game states correlated to different input states.

  The input device can take many different forms. In one optional embodiment, the input device is a mechanical button that includes instructions for each input state. In any such embodiment, the method includes selectively illuminating an indication for an input state correlated with a game state during a chance game.

  In another optional embodiment, the input device is a display button. In any such embodiment, the method includes storing a display button image for each input state. The display button image is displayed in accordance with the input state correlated with the game state during the chance game. Optionally, the display button image for each input state has substantially the same dimensions when displayed on the display. In another optional embodiment, at least one of the display button images is a large display button image and at least two of the display button images are small display button images. When two small display button images are displayed adjacent to each other on the display at the same time, they have substantially the same dimensions as the large display button image.

  Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like parts are numbered alike throughout. The present invention is an apparatus and a method for changing a setting (reconfiguration) of an input device according to a step of a game being played. It should be noted that the present invention may be derived for use with any game and should not be considered limiting as the examples shown below. The present invention also includes all forms of input devices including the displays and buttons shown in the figures, and is not limited to mechanical buttons, display buttons, touch screens, controllers, mice, keypads, keyboards, pointers, joysticks, or Note also that it encompasses any other form of input device, including any other device that receives input from the user.

  The present invention is a method and apparatus directed to use in any chance game having at least two game states. The game state may be defined in an arbitrary manner. At least two input states are defined and correlated with the game state. The input state defines how the input received at the input device should be interpreted by the chance game in the correlated game state. In other words, each time the game state is reached, the input state associated with the game state is enabled, and the input device can be set to change the input required in the input state.

  In accordance with the present invention, an input device receives input using a single input device or apparatus for multiple discrete input purposes or effects throughout the course of the game during multiple steps of the game. Change the setting as follows. More specifically, the input device is adapted to change settings between at least two different input states. Correlate each input state with the game state. In this way, even a user input received by an input device in an arbitrary game state is interpreted according to the input state associated with the game state. That is, user input received at the input device in one game state is interpreted according to the input state associated with the one game state, while user input received at the input device in a different game state is Interpreted according to input states associated with different game states.

  For example, in the case of a three-card poker where there is a FOLD or PLAY input during hand play and there is at least one wager input before the start of hand play, When playing and providing a player with more than one play option, such a setting can be set so that at least one input game button can be reconfigured and associated with an ongoing step at each stage of play. Facilitates entry of one or more options for the player. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in any technically feasible embodiment, a configuration change redefines a set of n game buttons as a set of m game buttons. be able to. However, n and m are not equal.

  In such an embodiment, as will be discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, the three card poker interface incorporating the present invention is capable of setting mechanical game buttons 737, 738. Can be included. The game buttons 737 and 738 are used for selecting REBET 737 and 738 selection in the game state (shown in FIG. 8) following the completion of the hand play. Similarly, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an embodiment in which display game buttons 727, 728 used for selection of FOLD 727 or PLAY 738 selection in the game state during hand play are held. The setting is changed to one display game button 827 used for selection of REBET 827 selection in the game state after the completion of the play of the bill. In this way, the player can make FOLD or PLAY input during the game, and after the game can make REBET input without changing the position of his finger or pointing device. In an alternative optional embodiment, REDEAL (hands out again) can be performed by changing the settings, activating the new game with the same wager as the previous game, and combining the REBET and DEAL inputs. In an alternative optional embodiment, the post-reward event input is reconfigured to allow COLLECT input, as in jurisdictions where players must actively collect any goods awarded to them. can do.

  The present invention can be applied to any input device regardless of whether the input device is mechanical, electronic, or any other type of input device. That is, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate any embodiment in which the input device includes a mechanical button, and FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate any embodiment in which the input device includes a mechanical button and a display button. This type of input can also be used in the present invention. Specifically, any embodiment that uses only display buttons can be included.

  Referring specifically to FIGS. 4-6, the present invention provides a mechanical game button having instructions for identifying input states, and for illuminating or highlighting instructions corresponding to input states in a particular game state. The present invention can be applied to a game apparatus having a lighting device such as a lamp, a light, and a light emitting diode (“LED”). That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the input device can include one or more mechanical buttons with different instructions (in this example, text areas), which are illuminated or highlighted independently. The setting change of the input device can be reflected.

  In an alternative embodiment not shown, the mechanical game button can change its indication display or indication lighting under computer control. Similarly, in an alternative optional embodiment (not shown), the color of the mechanical game button can be changed to reflect the input option setting change. In yet another optional embodiment (not shown), a mechanical game button setting change status is indicated on the display device so that the player can easily determine the purpose and effect of such a game button. You can also Optionally, the display area may be adjacent to the game button. It should be noted that an embodiment includes two or more input devices, such as multiple game buttons, that share similar text or displays, and that both of these input devices provide the same input. You may make it show that it can do. Such an embodiment is useful, for example, for an embodiment that uses a PC and connects to a server or the Internet to execute game events using remote processing or other interfaces.

  FIG. 1 shows a state diagram of a game state transition from a one-input state 101 to a multiple-input state 102 according to any embodiment of the present invention. In this optional embodiment, the input game button can be configurable between single input usage and multiple input usage. For example, in one optional embodiment, one input game button may be configurable to cover multiple input game button sizes and spaces, or vice versa. After the transition, the input game buttons whose settings can be changed can be replaced with a plurality of input game buttons. FIG. 2 shows a state diagram for a game state transition from a multi-input state 201 to a one-input state 202, according to another optional embodiment. It should be noted that the game state and the corresponding input state may be cyclic, i.e., cycle between two or more states, or non-circular, i.e., in one direction, branching, etc. depending on the chance game. Good.

  3A-3C illustrate an optional embodiment of a dynamic setting change of an input device, in this case a display button, to provide an input suitable for several different game states. In each of these input states, a user input device in the form of a display button panel 301 associated with the state is displayed. This embodiment includes a pre-wager state (shown in FIG. 3A), a pre-payment state (shown in FIG. 3B), and a game play state (shown in FIG. 3C). Each of these states is characterized by the Help game button 305 being in a fixed location. In other words, in this arbitrary embodiment, the Help game button 305 is not subject to setting change. In the pre-betting state of FIG. 3A, the REBET (re-bet) game button 307 can be changed in settings, and a number of input game buttons, namely, the FOLD (down) game button 327 and the PLAY (play) in FIG. 3C. Occupies almost the same area as the game button 328 occupies. 3A also includes two small input game buttons, HELP 305 and BET1 (one bet) 306. In this example, according to the underlying chance game, the BET1 game button 306 is only used in the pre-wager state of FIG. 3A, and in the other two states shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, Change settings so that no function or effect is given to the game state.

  Continuing with this example, the pre-assignment state of FIG. 3B includes a DEAL (card distribution) game button 317 and a HELP game button 305. The HELP game button 305 is carried over from the pre-bet state shown in FIG. 3A, and the DEAL game button 317 in the pre-bet state shown in FIG. 3B is the REBET game button 307 in the pre-bet state shown in FIG. 3A. It is a setting change and occupies the same place. Optionally, as shown, the configurable REBET game button 307 and DEAL game button 317 may be displayed in a highlighted form to make it more noticeable to the player.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the location assigned to the REBET game button 307 in the pre-wager state of FIG. 3A and the location assigned to the DEAL game button 317 in the pre-tendering state of FIG. In the game play state, the settings are changed as two game buttons, a FOLD game button 327 and a PLAY game button 328, and the HELP game button 305 associated therewith changes the state between the game states. Absent. That is, the HELP game button 305 is carried over over each game state in this example. The FOLD game button 327 and the PLAY game button 328 in the game play state in FIG. 3C are both the REBET game button 307 in the pre-wager state in FIG. 3A or the DEAL game button 317 in the pre-tender state in FIG. 3B. Occupies the same space. FIGS. 3A to 3C show that the changed game button occupies the same size and shape in each setting change. However, this limitation is not necessary for the present invention. The buttons can occupy larger, smaller, or differently shaped areas than before in each setting change, and still remain within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

  The game shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 includes two game states, that is, a pre-tendering state including bet information and a game play state. FIG. 4 illustrates an optional embodiment, such as a processor 406, a display 404, an optional video display, an input device with a mechanical game button panel 430, a determined bet amount 440 and a collected reward 442. Game device 402 having one or more areas for identifying other game information. Note that in this optional embodiment, the input device communicates with the data processor 406, which interprets user input received at the input device as a function of game state. This will be described in more detail below. In any embodiment, the processor 406 may communicate a data structure that stores instructions for the execution of the chance game along with the input state correlated with the game state. Thus, when a certain game state is reached, the appropriate input state is used by the processor 406 to interpret the user input received at the input device.

  The mechanical game button panel 430 has input game buttons 431 and 432 whose settings cannot be changed, that is, input game buttons 437 whose settings can be changed for game buttons that do not have different input states depending on the game state. 438, i.e., with game buttons having different input states depending on the game state. In this arbitrary example, parts 451 and 453 of the game buttons 437 and 438 whose settings can be changed display the visual attribute, in this case, the indication (indicia) in association with the pre-tendering game state, Another portion 452, 454 of the changeable game buttons 437, 438 displays instructions associated with different post-game play states. In one embodiment, no special flash to indicate the configuration status of the game button is included in or on the mechanical game buttons 437, 438. In any such embodiment, the input state can be determined by the player based on the game content, or can be indicated by a message in the game display area 408. In another optional embodiment, a portion of a game button 437 having a visual attribute that identifies an input state, e.g., instructions, color, graphics, etc., is displayed during each game state associated with the input state. Illuminate, highlight, or otherwise express meaning.

  Thus, in any embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each configurable game button 437, 438 includes a lighting device, or other lighting means, and is enabled for that game state. The instructions identifying the input states 551, 553, 652, 654 are highlighted. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 5, the text indicating the input state of the game button 437 is emphasized for FOLD 551 and the text indicating the input state of the game button 438 is emphasized for CALL 553, while the game buttons 437 and 438 are highlighted. The disabled REDEAL 452, 454 input state is dimmed or turned off. In FIG. 6, the text indicating the input state of both game buttons 437 and 438 for REDEAL 652 and 654 is highlighted, while the disabled FOLD 451 and CALL 453 input states of game buttons 437 and 438 are dimmed. Or turn off.

  In this example, the game state of FIG. 6 includes redundant game buttons 437, 438, ie game buttons that are correlated to the same input state. In other words, in the game state of FIG. 6, the user input received by any of the game buttons 437 and 438 is interpreted as the same user input, in this example, REDEAL. This is because the game buttons 437, 438 are correlated to different input states, so that the user input received at the game buttons 437, 438 is interpreted as different user inputs, in this example FOLD or CALL respectively. This is in contrast to the game state immediately before. Each of these game state-input state correlations can be used separately or together within the scope of the present invention.

  Also, in this example, the game state of FIG. 6 occurs during the game, while the game state of FIG. 5 occurs during the game. It should be noted that during the execution of a chance game or a series of chance games, the game state at any point in time and the input state are also input by the user during the execution of the chance game or during the chance game. Can receive.

  An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. This is a configurable display, such as a configurable mechanical game button 737, 738, and a mouse field, touchscreen button, or other displayed button that is not a physical button. Game buttons 727, 728, 827 are included. In this optional embodiment, display area 704 displays standard video game information and a display button panel 720 for display and operation of configurable display game buttons 727, 728, 827. 708 can be included. In any illustrated embodiment, such display game buttons 727, 728, 827 are part of the input device and receive input directly from the user by touch, mouse, pointer, or other input. In alternative alternative embodiments (not shown), such display game buttons may be display-only, with the corresponding mechanical game buttons being a single input device. In any of the illustrated embodiments, display game buttons 721 and 722 whose settings cannot be changed, that is, game buttons that do not change the input state in accordance with the game state are displayed together with display game buttons 727, 728 and 827 whose settings can be changed. It can also be displayed. In any alternative embodiment, more or fewer display game buttons may be utilized, and such game buttons may include only display game buttons that can be set and changed. Only display game buttons that cannot be changed may be included, or both may be included.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the game state associated with the FOLD and CALL input states is enabled. That is, in the game state of FIG. 7, the FOLD game button 727 and the CALL game button 728 are displayed, and when the FOLD button 727 or the CALL button 728 is operated, interpretation according to these input states is performed. FIG. 8 shows different game states. Here, the FOLD button 727 and the CALL button 728 are changed in setting to become a REDEAL game button 827. The REDEAL game button 827 occupies the same screen area in the game state of FIG. 8 as is occupied by the FOLD game button 727 and the CALL game button 728 in the game state of FIG. In an alternative optional embodiment, the REDEAL game button 827 can be displayed to occupy only the FOLD game button 727 or CALL game button 728 area, or instead occupy a completely different area. May be. Such modifications shall fall within the spirit and scope of the described invention.

  While certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention presented herein.

FIG. 6 shows a state diagram of a game state transition from one input state to multiple input states according to any embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a state diagram of a game state transition from multiple input states to one input state, according to any embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a game button configuration associated with a state according to any embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the game button structure linked | related with the different state of the game button of FIG. 3A. It is a figure which shows the game button structure linked | related with the different state of the game button of FIG. 3A. FIG. 2 is a front view of a gaming device according to any embodiment of the present invention showing a number of states of mechanical game buttons. FIG. 5 is a front view of a gaming device according to any embodiment of FIG. 4 with a plurality of mechanical game buttons in one game state. FIG. 5 is a front view of a game device according to any embodiment of FIG. 4 when a plurality of game buttons are in another game state. 1 is a front view of a gaming device according to any embodiment of the present invention with a plurality of mechanical and display game buttons in one game state. FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view of a gaming device according to any of the embodiments of FIG. 7 when the mechanical and display game buttons are in different game states.

Claims (33)

A game device,
An electronic display;
An input device that receives user input;
A processor in communication with the display and the input device;
And the processor is configured to execute instructions for playing a chance game having at least two game states, and the input device changes settings between at least two different input states Each input state is correlated with one game state, and a user input received at the input device in a game state is determined according to the input state associated with the game state, A game apparatus characterized by being interpreted by a processor. 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game apparatus includes at least two input devices, and each of the input devices is configured to change settings between at least two different input states. An input state is correlated with a game state, and user input received at the input device in a game state is configured to be interpreted by the processor in response to an input state associated with the game state. A game device characterized by that. 3. The game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least two of the input devices are correlated in at least one game state, at least two of the input devices are correlated to the same input state, and are received at any of the at least two input devices. The game apparatus is also configured such that the received user input is also interpreted as the same user input by the processor. 3. The game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least two of the input devices are: (a) in at least one game state, at least two of the input devices are correlated to the same input state; User input received at any of the devices is interpreted by the processor as the same user input, and (b) in at least one other game state, the at least two input devices are correlated to different input states, A game apparatus configured to interpret user input received by any of at least two input devices as different user input by the processor. 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more visible attributes associated with each input state are set in the input device, and the input device indicates an input state in which the input device is set. A game device configured to change its visibility attribute to show. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game state includes at least one game state during execution of the chance game and at least one game state between executions of successive chance games, The device is such that at least one of the input states is correlated with a game state that occurs during execution of the chance game, and at least one of the input states is correlated with a game state that occurs between successive chance games. It is comprised in the game device characterized by the above-mentioned. A game device,
An electronic display;
An input device that receives user input;
A processor in communication with the display and the input device;
The processor includes a data structure storing instructions for performing a chance game having at least two game states and at least two different input states, wherein each of the input states is correlated to a game state The input device changes settings between the at least two different input states, and the user input received by the input device in one game state, according to the input state associated with the one game state, User input interpreted by the processor and received at the input device in a different game state is configured to be interpreted by the processor according to an input state associated with the different game state. Game device. 8. The game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus includes at least two input devices, and each of the input devices is configured to change settings between at least two different input states. Is correlated with a game state, and user input received at the input device in a game state is configured to be interpreted by the processor in response to an input state associated with the game state. A game device characterized by that. 9. The game apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least two of the input devices are correlated to the same input state in at least one game state and received at any of the at least two input devices. The game apparatus is also configured such that the received user input is also interpreted as the same user input by the processor. 9. The game device according to claim 8, wherein at least two of the input devices are: (a) in at least one game state, at least two of the input devices are correlated to the same input state; User input received at any of the input devices is interpreted by the processor as the same user input, and (b) in at least one other game state, the at least two input devices are correlated to different input states; A game apparatus configured to interpret a user input received by any of the at least two input devices as a different user input by the processor. 8. The game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the input device has one or more visible attributes associated with each input state, and the input device has an input state in which the input device is set. A game device configured to change its visibility attribute to show. 8. The game device according to claim 7, wherein the game state includes at least one game state during execution of the chance game and at least one game state between executions of successive chance games, The device is such that at least one of the input states is correlated with a game state that occurs during execution of the chance game, and at least one of the input states is correlated with a game state that occurs between successive chance games. It is comprised in the game device characterized by the above-mentioned. A game device for playing at least one chance game having a plurality of game states,
At least one input device for receiving user input, the device having at least one input button configured to dynamically change settings between at least two different input states, each input state and one or more An input device that is associated with a visual attribute and configured to change the visual attribute to indicate the input state that set the input device;
A processor in communication with the at least one input device;
A data structure in communication with the processor, the data structure storing a correlation between the input state and the game state and instructions executable by the processor to perform the chance game. , The user input received at the input device in one game state of the chance game is interpreted by the processor according to an input state correlated with the one game state, and another game state of the chance game A data structure that is interpreted by the processor in accordance with an input state correlated with the other game state;
A game apparatus comprising: 14. The game apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the input device includes at least one mechanical button. 15. The game device according to claim 14, wherein the mechanical button includes an instruction for each input state and a lighting device for each instruction, and the processor inputs the input state correlated with the game state in the chance game. A game apparatus characterized by being configured to selectively illuminate an instruction with respect to. 14. The game apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the input device includes at least one display button on the display. 17. The game apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the data structure stores a display button image for each input state, and the processor displays a display button for the input state correlated with the game state during the chance game. It is comprised as follows. The game device characterized by the above-mentioned. 18. The game device according to claim 17, wherein the display button image for each input state has substantially the same size when displayed on the display. 18. The game device according to claim 17, wherein the data structure stores at least one large display button image and at least two small display button images, and the two small display button images are simultaneously displayed on the display. When displayed adjacently, the game device has substantially the same dimensions as the large display button image. The game device according to claim 13, further comprising:
A terminal processor in communication with the input device;
A terminal communication device in communication with the terminal processor;
A host communication device that communicates with the terminal communication device and the processor when the input device is remote from the processor;
A game apparatus comprising: 21. The game apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the host communication device and the terminal communication device are configured to communicate through a computer network. 14. The game apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of input devices, and at least two of the input devices are in at least one game state, and at least two of the input devices are in the same input state. A gaming apparatus configured to correlate user inputs received at any of the at least two input devices as the same user input by the processor. 14. The game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of input devices, wherein at least two of the input devices are (a) at least one of the input devices in the at least one game state. User input that is correlated to a state and received at any of the at least two input devices is interpreted by the processor as the same user input, and (b) in at least one other game state, the at least two inputs A gaming device, wherein devices are correlated to different input states, and user input received at any of the at least two input devices is configured to be interpreted by the processor as different user inputs . 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the game state includes at least one game state during execution of the chance game and at least one game state between executions of successive chance games. Is such that at least one of the input states is correlated with a game state that occurs during execution of the chance game, and at least one of the input states is correlated with a game state that occurs between successive chance games. A game device that is configured. A method of executing a chance game having multiple game states,
Providing an input device for receiving user input;
Defining at least two different input states, associating each input state with a different effect in the chance game;
Correlating each input state with at least one game state;
Executing the chance game;
Receiving user input from the input device during the chance game, wherein the user input is according to an effect associated with an input state correlated with a game state at the time the user input is received. Performing the chance game and causing user input received at the input device during game states correlated to different input states to cause the chance game to be performed in various ways;
A method characterized by comprising: 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the input device is a mechanical button that includes an instruction for each input state, and the method further selects an instruction for the input state correlated with the game state during the chance game. Illuminating automatically. A method comprising: 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the input device is a display button, the method further comprising:
Storing a display button image for each input state;
Displaying a display button image for an input state correlated with the game state during the chance game;
A method characterized by comprising: 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the display button image for each input state is displayed to have substantially the same dimensions when displayed on the display. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein at least one of the display button images is a large display button image, at least two of the display button images are small display button images, and the two small display button images are A method of displaying on a display simultaneously adjacent to each other so as to have substantially the same size as the large display button image. 26. The method of claim 25, comprising a plurality of input devices, the method further comprising: in at least one game state, at least two of the input devices are correlated to the same input state, and the at least two inputs. A method wherein at least two of the input devices are configured so that user input received at any of the devices is interpreted by the processor as the same user input. 26. The method of claim 25, comprising a plurality of input devices, the method further comprising: (a) in at least one game state, at least two of the input devices are correlated to the same input state; User input received at any of the at least two input devices is interpreted by the processor as the same user input, and (b) in at least one other game state, the at least two input devices are correlated to different input states. And at least two of the input devices are configured such that any user input received at any of the at least two input devices is interpreted by the processor as a different user input. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
Associating one or more visual attributes of the input device with each input state;
Changing a visibility attribute of the input device to indicate an input state in which the input device is set;
A method characterized by comprising: 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the game state includes at least one game state during execution of the chance game and at least one game state between executions of successive chance games. And correlating at least one of the input states with a game state occurring during execution of the chance game, and correlating at least one of the input states with a game state occurring between successive chance games. A method characterized by comprising: