Player actuated input for a gaming machine
An input device configured to generate at least two inputs, such as two signals, in response to input movement from a first to a second position, a first and a second speed of input, a first and second applied input force, or an input movement of a first and second distance. When associated with a gaming machine, a player's input effects generation of multiple inputs which are provided to a gaming controller for playing a game. The input device has utility to games, such as a Class II bingo type game, where a player is required to provide multiple inputs over the course of the game in order to participate in the game.
1. An input device permitting a player to provide two inputs to a gaming machine comprising:
an input device, said device comprising a body moveable only along a fixed path between a first position and a second position and at least one speed sensor configured to sense a speed of said body as it moves along said path, said input device configured to generate a first discrete signal comprising a first input required to present said game to said player when said at least one speed sensor senses that said body is moving a first speed and configured to generate a second discrete signal comprising a second input required for said player to participate in said game and receive a winning outcome when said at least one speed sensor senses that said body is moving a second speed different than said first speed as said body moves along said path, whereby said input device generates two discrete input signals required for presentation of said game to said player based upon a single movement of said body along said fixed path.
2. The input device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body comprises a rotatable arm.
3. The input device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body comprises a slider which is movable along a linear slot.
4. An input device permitting a player to provide two inputs to a gaming machine comprising:
an input device, said device comprising a body moveable only along a fixed path between a least a first position and a second position and a force sensor configured to sense a force applied to said body as it moves along said path, said input device configured to generate a first discrete signal comprising a first input required to present said game to said player when said force sensor senses that a force of a first magnitude is being applied to said body and configured to generate a second discrete signal comprising a second input required for said player to participate in said game and receive a winning outcome when said force sensor senses that a force of a second magnitude which is different than said first magnitude is applied to said body as said body moves along said path, whereby said input device generates two discrete input signals required for presentation of said game to said player based upon a single movement of said body along said fixed path.
5. The input device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said body comprises a rotatable arm.
6. The input device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said body comprises a slider which is movable along a linear slot.
7. A gaming machine configured to accept player inputs and present information to a player regarding a game, comprising:
a gaming machine housing;
at least one display device configured to display game information to a player;
a gaming controller configured to accept player inputs, generate game information and provide a game information output to said display device;
one or more input devices connected to said gaming machine housing, at least one of said one or more input devices configured to generate solely a first discrete input signal and a second discrete input signal in response to a single player input act, said first and second inputs signals provided to said gaming controller as player inputs to play of a single game, said first input causing said gaming controller to present said game to said player and said second input causing said gaming controller to permit said player to obtain winning outcomes of said game, said first and second input signals generated in response to a single movement of a body along a fixed path resulting in at least one of the group consisting of: a first and second input speed to said input device, a first and second input force applied to said device, and input movement to said input device over a first distance and a second distance.
8. The gaming machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said input device comprises a rotatable arm.
9. The gaming machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said input device comprises a slider configured for linear movement along a track.
10. A method of a player providing multiple player inputs to a gaming machine comprising:
providing an input device coupled to a gaming machine, said input device including a body moveable only along a fixed path;
permitting said body to be moved along said path by a player;
detecting movement of said body along said path;
said method including the steps of, as a result of a single movement of said body along said fixed path:
generating a first input signal dependent upon a first condition of said body, said first input signal comprising a first input to said gaming machine to initiate presentation of said game to said player at said gaming machine; and
generating a second input signal dependent upon a second condition of said body, said second condition differing from said first condition, said second input signal comprising a second input to said gaming machine for said player to participate in said game and receive a winning outcome at said gaming machine.
11. The method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first and second conditions are selected from the group consisting of: a first speed and a second speed; a first force and a second force; and a first position and a second position.