Gaming Machine With Virtual User Interface

A method for receiving and processing player input on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• providing a gaming machine that presents one or more games on a game display;
• generating a first virtual user interface on a surface of the gaming machine, wherein the first virtual user interface includes one or more virtual components that correspond to one or more game functions of a first game;
• receiving user input via the first virtual user interface;
• and
• processing the user input and performing the game function corresponding to the user input.

A method for servicing a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• providing a gaming machine that presents a game on a game display;
• generating a first virtual user interface on a surface of the gaming machine, wherein the first virtual user interface includes one or more components that correspond to one or more diagnostic or technical functions;
• receiving and processing user input via the first virtual user interface;
• and
• performing the diagnostic or technical function corresponding to the user input.

A method for using a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• displaying a game on the gaming machine;
• generating a first virtual user interface associated with the game, wherein the first virtual user interface includes one or more virtual components;
• detecting a predefined event;
• and
• generating a second virtual user interface in response to the detected event, wherein a portion of the second virtual user interface is different from the first virtual user interface.

A gaming machine, comprising:

• a display for presenting one or more games;
• a means for generating a virtual user interface on a defined area of the gaming machine;
• a means for receiving user input via the virtual user interface;
• and
• a microprocessor that processes the user input and performs the function corresponding to the received user input.

A gaming machine, comprising:

• a game display for presenting a game;
• a virtual interface controller for generating and presenting a virtual user interface on a surface of the gaming machine, wherein the virtual user interface receives user input for gaming or non-gaming functions;
• and
• a game controller in communication with the game display and the virtual interface controller.

A gaming machine, comprising:

• a game display for presenting one or more games;
• a virtual interface controller for generating and presenting a virtual user interface on a surface of the gaming machine, wherein the virtual user interface receives user input for gaming or non-gaming functions;
• a game controller in communication with the game display and virtual interface controller;
• and
• a network interface in communication with the game controller and a network server, wherein the network interface downloads one or more games from the network gaming server.