Gaming machine user interfaces

摘要

A device such as a gaming console comprises a display screen and a game controller arranged to allow a player to play a game and awarding a prize or feature if a winning combination results. A mechanical display filter is configured to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The mechanical display screen may have buttons, including buttons which actuate a touch screen. The display screen can be used to illuminate portions of the mechanical display screen to produce visual effects, including using complex lighting patterns. The display screen may be used to illuminate buttons forming part of a user interface, or a separate screen may be used to illuminate the buttons from behind the buttons.

主权项

1. A user interface apparatus for a gaming machine configured to play a game, and for use with a computational controller, the user interface apparatus comprising:
a communication interface for connection to the computational controller; a bank of buttons comprising a plurality of buttons and a button housing; circuitry connected to the communication interface and configured to detect a pressing of a button in the bank of buttons; and a unitary display screen connected to the communication interface and configured to be controlled by control signals received at the communication interface and to display a plurality of game images, wherein said bank of buttons are removably mounted in front of the unitary display screen, thus at least a portion of said plurality of game images on said unitary display screen illuminating at least a portion of said bank of buttons, and wherein the at least a portion of said plurality of game images are viewable through at least one of: 1) two of said plurality of buttons and 2) the button housing, the unitary display screen being configured to differentiate between active and inactive buttons, wherein active buttons when pressed result in an action being completed by the gaming machine, and wherein inactive buttons are configured to display at least one of: 1) a background picture, 2) a designated colour and 3) a blank; and wherein said active buttons are configured to display information to a player indicative of at least one of: 1) when the player has wagered a certain amount and 2) when game play of the gaming machine reaches a predefined threshold level.