EP1130554A2 - Mikrokontrollierte von hinten beleuchtete Tastaturanordnung und Spielgerätverfahren - Google Patents

Mikrokontrollierte von hinten beleuchtete Tastaturanordnung und Spielgerätverfahren Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1130554A2
EP1130554A2 EP01100279A EP01100279A EP1130554A2 EP 1130554 A2 EP1130554 A2 EP 1130554A2 EP 01100279 A EP01100279 A EP 01100279A EP 01100279 A EP01100279 A EP 01100279A EP 1130554 A2 EP1130554 A2 EP 1130554A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
game
illumination
gaming
sequence corresponding
color
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01100279A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1130554A3 (de
Inventor
Tracy Powell
Mark Uihlein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Game Technology
Original Assignee
International Game Technology
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Game Technology filed Critical International Game Technology
Publication of EP1130554A2 publication Critical patent/EP1130554A2/de
Publication of EP1130554A3 publication Critical patent/EP1130554A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3209—Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
    • G07F17/3237—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
    • G07F17/3239—Tracking of individual players

Definitions

  • These electronic game devices are also commonly interconnected to a host computer through a network system.
  • One primary advantage of these networked gaming devices is the ability to collectively track the individual Player use of the gaming devices. Player tracking, for instance, allows the gaming establishment to monitor individual Player use for accounting and advertising purposes.
  • Another benefit derived from these networked systems is the collection of accounting data such as the usage and payout of each gaming machine which allows the gaming establishment to immediately assess their profitability. Typical of such patented systems may be found in U.S. Patent Nos.: 5,470,079 to LeStrange et al.; and 4,283,709 to Lucero et al.
  • each participating Player is issued an individual player tracking card which incorporates a unique player identification code corresponding to the customer's account.
  • the unique identification code is extracted from the card and transmitted to the host computer to commence tracking of the Player's gaming activity. Subsequently, the host computer updates the customer's account to reflect the new activity.
  • the player tracking card may be in the form of a SMARTCARD, a conventional debit card or a credit card which may require the manual input of a PIN or identification code.
  • Such data is typically input through a keypad mechanism located near the card reader or the gaming machine.
  • the present invention provides a gaming machine communication device for use with a gaming machine.
  • the communication device includes a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys to input data, and a plurality of illumination devices operably coupled to a corresponding key for independent illumination thereof.
  • a microcontroller device is coupled to the plurality of illumination devices for illumination thereof in a manner visually communicating information relating to a game accessible by the gaming machine.
  • the illuminated keys of the keypad mechanism are employed as a means of communicating information to a potential Player preferably pertaining to a current status of the accessible game.
  • a potential Player preferably pertaining to a current status of the accessible game.
  • the pattern, sequence or color of the illuminated keys of the keypad mechanism may indicate to a Player the level or amount of a jackpot.
  • a gaming system in yet another embodiment, includes a plurality of gaming machines, and a host computer interconnecting the gaming machines for an interconnected bonus game accessible from each gaming machine.
  • the gaming system further includes a plurality of keypad mechanisms coupled to a respective gaming machine.
  • each keypad mechanism includes a plurality of keys to input data, and a plurality of illumination devices each operably coupled to a corresponding key for independent illumination thereof.
  • a microcontroller device is communicably coupled between the respective plurality of illumination devices and the host computer for illumination of the illumination device in a manner visually communicating information relating to the current status of the bonus game.
  • a player tracking system for tracking Players of a plurality of gaming machines interconnected to a host computer.
  • the tracking system includes a player tracking device adapted to monitor the game play of a Player, and a keypad assembly having a plurality of keys to input data for use in the player tracking device.
  • a plurality of illumination devices are operably coupled to a corresponding key for independent illumination thereof.
  • the player tracking system further includes a microcontroller device coupled to the plurality of illumination devices for illumination thereof in a manner visually communicating information relating to the current status of a bonus game accessible by the gaming machine.
  • the keypad assembly 23 preferably includes sixteen (16) key components aligned in a 4x4 matrix. It will be appreciated, of course, that a larger or smaller matrix may be employed.
  • keypad includes ten (10) conventional number key components 25', a "cocktail” key component 25" and an "attendant” key component 25"'.
  • Four (4) programmable “function” key components 25"" may be included for optional functions and features such as the inquiry of information relating jackpot bonus games, player tracking information or the like.
  • the "cocktail" key component 25" and the "attendant” key component 25"' can be replaced by the more conventional " * " and "#” symbols.
  • the communication device 10, therefore, utilizes these attract sequences to animate the keypad components 25 when the keypad assembly 20 is not in use.
  • These attract sequences are employed as a means to visually communicate information relating to the status or state of the games accessible at the gaming machine 30 (i.e., the games internally resident on the gaming machine and/or the bonus game accessible through the host computer).
  • at least one or a plurality of key components 25 can be illuminated upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
  • a first event such as the jackpot reaching or surpassing a first bonus level
  • the key components 25 may be illuminated in a first attract sequence and color scheme simulating a thermometer or the like (E.g., flash or illuminate the key components 25 in "yellow").
  • a second attract sequence may commence to change colors, and/or patterns (E.g., flash or illuminate the key components 25 in "red").
  • the jackpot amounts may be expressed by flashing or illuminating the entire row of key components 25 either individually, simultaneously or in the same or different colors, or sequentially illuminate the key components from left to right or right to left.
  • a relatively small jackpot amount (a minimum first bonus level) may be expressed (the first attract sequence) by simultaneously illuminating the entire bottom row 38 of key components 25 (i.e., the "F4", "cocktail” "0" and "attendant” key components).
  • a second attract sequence may commence.
  • a second row 40 of key components 25 may be simultaneously illuminated (i.e., the "F3", “7” "8” and “9” key components) to indicate a lower middle range of jackpots.
  • the individual key components 25 may sequentially illuminate from left-to-right and/or from right-to-left starting at the bottom row 38 and ending at any key component 25 at either the second row 40, the third row 41 or the top row 42, depending upon the level of the jackpot.
  • Multiple color schemes may be applied as well.
  • each key component 25 can be lit when released and/or lit when pressed, and/or each key can be flashing when released and/or flashing when pressed.
  • the keypad software further includes the set of the above-mentioned attract sequences which animate the key colors when the keypad is not in use. Attract sequences can be selected using the command language.
  • flash timing of the keypad assembly commences during each interrupt interval.
  • a subroutine BLINK is accessed which complements all the flasher bits in the keypad attribute table. This is preferably performed about every 116 th interval, which yields a flash interval of about 1.2 seconds. Another predetermined number of intervals may be employed of course.
  • the present invention before illuminating the illumination devices 26, the present invention includes communicating the current status of the game from the host computer 32 to a respective microcontroller 36 of each keypad assembly 20 for illumination of the illumination devices 26.
  • the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
  • a keypad assembly and card reader on gaming machines
  • such interface may be used on other casino stations as well.
  • a pad assembly of the type described above may also be used with blackjack or craps tables.
  • the systems of this invention are not limited to conventional casino gaming machines and stations, but may include other machines such as amusement machines, televisions, vending machines, etc.
  • the terminals as describe herein can be with gaming machines that are not necessarily located in a casino or connected to a LAN.
  • the gaming machines incorporating the keypad assembly of this invention may be stand-alone machines located in bars, drug stores, or other establishments.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Social Psychology (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
EP01100279A 2000-01-03 2001-01-03 Mikrokontrollierte von hinten beleuchtete Tastaturanordnung und Spielgerätverfahren Withdrawn EP1130554A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US47614300A 2000-01-03 2000-01-03
US476143 2000-01-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1130554A2 true EP1130554A2 (de) 2001-09-05
EP1130554A3 EP1130554A3 (de) 2002-05-22

Family

ID=23890671

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01100279A Withdrawn EP1130554A3 (de) 2000-01-03 2001-01-03 Mikrokontrollierte von hinten beleuchtete Tastaturanordnung und Spielgerätverfahren

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1130554A3 (de)
AU (1) AU778823B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2330072C (de)
ZA (1) ZA200100050B (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002040921A3 (en) * 2000-10-23 2002-11-21 Color Kinetics Inc Systems and methods for digital entertainement
US6975079B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2005-12-13 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods for controlling illumination sources
US7231060B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2007-06-12 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods of generating control signals
US7242152B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2007-07-10 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods of controlling light systems
EP1675752A4 (de) * 2003-10-15 2007-11-07 Payment Protection Sys Inc Benutzer-schnittstelle für fahrzeugsperrsystem
US7764026B2 (en) 1997-12-17 2010-07-27 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for digital entertainment

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7385359B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2008-06-10 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Information systems
US7642730B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2010-01-05 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Methods and apparatus for conveying information via color of light

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4283709A (en) 1980-01-29 1981-08-11 Summit Systems, Inc. (Interscience Systems) Cash accounting and surveillance system for games
US5470079A (en) 1994-06-16 1995-11-28 Bally Gaming International, Inc. Game machine accounting and monitoring system
US5655961A (en) 1994-10-12 1997-08-12 Acres Gaming, Inc. Method for operating networked gaming devices
US5761647A (en) 1996-05-24 1998-06-02 Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. National customer recognition system and method

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5326104A (en) * 1992-02-07 1994-07-05 Igt Secure automated electronic casino gaming system
US5344199A (en) * 1993-04-12 1994-09-06 Technik Mfg., Inc. Number match gaming machine
US5924926A (en) * 1997-03-17 1999-07-20 Brown; J. Breck Game wager control system
CA2238678C (en) * 1997-08-08 2004-02-24 International Game Technology Gaming machines providing bonus games
US6409595B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2002-06-25 International Game Technology Lighted keypad assembly and method for a player tracking system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4283709A (en) 1980-01-29 1981-08-11 Summit Systems, Inc. (Interscience Systems) Cash accounting and surveillance system for games
US5470079A (en) 1994-06-16 1995-11-28 Bally Gaming International, Inc. Game machine accounting and monitoring system
US5655961A (en) 1994-10-12 1997-08-12 Acres Gaming, Inc. Method for operating networked gaming devices
US5702304A (en) 1994-10-12 1997-12-30 Acres Gaming, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices
US5741183A (en) 1994-10-12 1998-04-21 Acres Gaming Inc. Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices
US5752882A (en) 1994-10-12 1998-05-19 Acres Gaming Inc. Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices
US5761647A (en) 1996-05-24 1998-06-02 Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. National customer recognition system and method

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6975079B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2005-12-13 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods for controlling illumination sources
US7135824B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2006-11-14 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods for controlling illumination sources
US7231060B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2007-06-12 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods of generating control signals
US7242152B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2007-07-10 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods of controlling light systems
US7764026B2 (en) 1997-12-17 2010-07-27 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for digital entertainment
WO2002040921A3 (en) * 2000-10-23 2002-11-21 Color Kinetics Inc Systems and methods for digital entertainement
EP1675752A4 (de) * 2003-10-15 2007-11-07 Payment Protection Sys Inc Benutzer-schnittstelle für fahrzeugsperrsystem

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1003301A (en) 2001-07-05
CA2330072A1 (en) 2001-07-03
ZA200100050B (en) 2001-07-19
AU778823B2 (en) 2004-12-23
EP1130554A3 (de) 2002-05-22
CA2330072C (en) 2011-10-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6409595B1 (en) Lighted keypad assembly and method for a player tracking system
CN100455333C (zh) 具有游戏效果的游戏机
CN100427166C (zh) 具有支付表的游戏机
US20040166917A1 (en) USB light controller for controlling a display on a light device in a gaming unit
US20040166932A1 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling a display on a light device in a gaming unit
US20060189387A1 (en) Gaming machine with configurable button panel
CA2330072C (en) A microcontrolled backlit keypad assembly and method for a gaming machine
AU2013205354A1 (en) Gaming machine
AU2010219373A1 (en) Gaming machine illuminating arrangement
EP1669952B1 (de) Spielautomat und Spielsystem
US20060183543A1 (en) Gaming machine and game article
JP4649459B2 (ja) 遊技機
JP2002186704A (ja) 遊技機
JP4054283B2 (ja) 遊技機
JP2006158886A (ja) 遊技機および遊技システム
JP2006181283A (ja) 遊技機
JP2007143742A (ja) 遊技機
US20070202940A1 (en) Gaming machine and game system
JP2737054B2 (ja) パチンコ機
JP2009153758A (ja) 遊技機
JP2026074664A (ja) 遊技情報表示装置
JP3063011B2 (ja) パチンコ遊技機
JP4846043B2 (ja) 遊技機
JP4932018B2 (ja) 遊技機
JP2009233120A (ja) 遊技機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

AKX Designation fees paid
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20021123