Virtual input system
AssigneeIGT, a Nevada corporation
InventorWilliam Wells
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.
Claims61
For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual game interface device for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator, the device comprising;
- a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator;
- and
- a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.
For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual game surface interface device for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator, the device comprising:
- a game surface;
- an position sensing device for determining a location of the user input;
- and
- a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input substantially on the game surface.
A user interface comprising:
- a surface;
- a virtual input defined at a location substantially on the surface;
- a non-contacting position sensor determining a location of the user input;
- controller coupled to the non-contacting position sensor, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is located at the virtual input.
A method of determining actuation of a virtual input comprising:
- defining a virtual position of the virtual input in space;
- determining a presence of the input actuator at the virtual input;
- and
- generating a signal indicative of the determination of the presence of the input actuator at the virtual input.
For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator, the device comprising;
- a first position sensor module including a first position sensor and a first digital signal processor for creating a first data image of the user input actuator;
- a second position sensor module including a second position sensor and a second digital signal processor for creating a second data image of the user input actuator;
- a controller defining a virtual location in space of the virtual input, and responsive to the first data image and the second data image to determine whether a portion of the user input actuator is within the virtual location of the virtual input.
A method of attracting players to a gaming machine comprising:
- sensing a potential player in a vicinity of the gaming machine;
- upon detection of the potential player, projecting a dynamic image on a surface of the gaming machine, the dynamic image including an indicium defining a location of a virtual input to the gaming machine;
- and
- initiating a game up on actuation of the virtual input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.