IP Library Granted Patent US 8,235,789
Granted Patent B2
US 8,235,789 · App. 11/919,411 · Granted Aug 7, 2012

Push-button with integrated or adjacent moveable outcome indicator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,235,789
App. No.
11/919,411
Granted
Aug 7, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A push-button assembly for a gaming terminal implementing a wagering game is provided. The push-button assembly has a push-button actuated by a touch from a player of the wagering game. An outcome indicator indicates a randomly selected outcome in response to the push-button being actuated.

Claims (21)

1. A push-button assembly for a gaming terminal implementing a wagering game, the push-button assembly comprising:

a push-button actuated by a touch from a player of the wagering game; and

an outcome indicator integrated within the push-button assembly, the outcome indicator being configured to indicate a randomly selected outcome responsive to an output of an outcome from a wagering game processor to the push-button assembly,

wherein the outcome indicator is a mechanical object disposed within the push-button and configured to move relative to the push-button to reveal the outcome for the mechanical object output by the wagering game processor.

2. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , wherein the movable mechanical is a removable 3-dimensional object.

3. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , wherein the moveable object is selected from the group consisting of: a miniature reel, a pointer, and a pendulum.

4. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outcome indicator is a mechanical reel.

5. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outcome indicator displays a game-enhancement parameter selected from the group consisting of: a bonus payout; a multiplier to multiply the payout awarded based on a winning symbol combination on main reels in the wagering game; a re-spin feature to re-spin a winning symbol combination in the wagering game to the same winning symbol combination at least one time; an automatic nudge feature; and a re-spin to a higher award feature to re-spin the main reels in the wagering game to a higher-paying winning symbol combination in response to the winning combination being achieved in the wagering game.

6. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , further including a removable transparent enclosure positioned over the outcome indicator.

7. The push-button assembly of claim 6 , further including a touch-sensitive sensor positioned on the transparent enclosure

8. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , further including a transmissive LCD display for displaying a video image superimposed over the outcome indicator.

9. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outcome indicator is selected from the group consisting of: a mechanical reel; a keno board; a roulette wheel; playing cards; a pointer; a pendulum; and at least one die.

10. A method of utilizing a push-button assembly installed in a gaming terminal configured to implement a wagering game, the method comprising:

receiving a player input via a push-button of the push-button assembly;

processing the player input using a processor communicatively coupled to the push-button and operatively associated with the gaming terminal;

outputting an outcome from the processor to the push-button; and

indicating the outcome associated with the player input on a movable mechanical outcome indicator integral with the push-button assembly and disposed within the push-button.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the outcome indicator is a 3-dimensional object.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the outcome indicator includes a representation of a moveable object, the representation of the moveable object is selected from the group consisting of: a miniature reel; a pointer; a pendulum; a keno board; a roulette wheel; playing cards; and at least one die.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the outcome indicator is a mechanical reel.

14. The push-button assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outcome indicator is configured to display one or more symbols selected from a plurality of symbols.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; DON BEST SPORTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059756/0397 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 20, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051643/0283 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (RELEASES REEL/FRAME 034530/0318) Recorded Nov 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 047924/0701 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 29, 2015
From: WMS GAMING INC.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036225/0201 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 4, 2014
From: BALLY GAMING, INC; SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC; WMS GAMING INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034530/0318 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 18, 2013
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031847/0110 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2008
From: RASMUSSEN, JAMES M.
To: WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 021196/0191 →