Multi-tiered user interface for a gaming machine
A gaming machine comprises a cabinet, a display device coupled to the cabinet, a control unit housed within the cabinet, and a multi-tiered user interface coupled to the cabinet. The control unit is configured to direct the display device to display a wagering game. The user interface includes lower and upper tiers disposed at respective lower and upper elevations. The upper tier at least partially overhangs the lower tier. The lower and upper tiers bear respective first and second types of input devices for operating the wagering game.
1. A gaming machine comprising:
a cabinet,
a display device coupled to the cabinet;
a control unit housed within the cabinet and configured to direct the display device to display a wagering game; and
a user interface coupled to the cabinet and including lower and upper tiers disposed at respective lower and upper elevations, the upper tier at least partially overhanging the lower tier, the lower and upper tiers bearing respective first and second types of input devices for operating the wagering game, the lower and upper tiers including respective lower and upper flat panels, the upper flat panel including a transparent or transmissive portion through which a user can view a slot associated with a peripheral device and covered by the upper flat panel, the slot being disposed between the lower and upper tiers.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is disposed in front of the display device.
3. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the first type of input device is one or more push buttons, and wherein the second type of input device is a video display with touchscreen.
4. The gaming machine of claim 3 , wherein the upper tier bears a charging pad adjacent to the video display.
5. The gaming machine of claim 3 , wherein the one or more push buttons include first and second push buttons, and wherein the user interface includes a bill acceptor and a ticket dispenser disposed between the lower and upper tiers, the bill acceptor being disposed behind the first push button, the ticket dispenser being disposed behind the second push button.
6. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device is selected from a group consisting of a bill acceptor, a ticket dispenser, and a player tracking unit.
7. A user interface for a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a cabinet, a display device coupled to the cabinet, and a control unit housed within the cabinet, the user interface comprising:
a lower tier disposed at a lower elevation, the lower tier bearing a first type of input device for operating a wagering game via the gaming machine; and
an upper tier disposed at an upper elevation and at least partially overhanging the lower tier, the upper tier bearing a second type of input device for operating the wagering game via the gaming machine;
wherein the lower and upper tiers include respective lower and upper flat panels, the upper flat panel including a transparent or transmissive portion through which a user can view a slot associated with a peripheral device and covered by the upper flat panel, the slot being disposed between the lower and upper tiers.
8. The user interface of claim 7 , wherein the user interface is disposed in front of the display device.
9. The user interface of claim 7 , wherein the first type of input device is one or more push buttons, and wherein the second type of input device is a video display with touchscreen.
10. The user interface of claim 9 , wherein the upper tier bears a charging pad adjacent to the video display.
11. The user interface of claim 9 , wherein the one or more push buttons include first and second push buttons, and further including a bill acceptor and a ticket dispenser disposed between the lower and upper tiers, the bill acceptor being disposed behind the first push button, the ticket dispenser being disposed behind the second push button.
12. The user interface of claim 7 , wherein the peripheral device is selected from a group consisting of a bill acceptor, a ticket dispenser, and a player tracking unit.
13. A method of operating gaming machine, the gaming machine including a cabinet, a display device coupled to the cabinet, a control unit housed within the cabinet, and a user interface coupled to the cabinet, the user interface including lower and upper tiers disposed at respective lower and upper elevations, the upper tier at least partially overhanging the lower tier, the lower and upper tiers including respective lower and upper flat panels, the upper flat panel including a transparent or transmissive portion through which a user can view a slot associated with a peripheral device and covered by the upper flat panel, the slot being disposed between the lower and upper tiers, the method comprising:
directing, by the control unit, the display device to display a wagering game;
in response to a user operating a first type of input device supported by the lower tier, conducting, by the control unit, a first action associated with the wagering game; and
in response to the user operating a second type of input device supported by the upper tier, conducting, by the control unit, a second action associated with the wagering game.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the user interface is disposed in front of the display device.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first type of input device is one or more push buttons, wherein the second type of input device is a video display with touchscreen, and wherein the first action is initiating the wagering game.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the upper tier bears a charging pad adjacent to the video display, and further including charging a mobile device placed on the charging pad.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more push buttons include first and second push buttons, wherein the user interface includes a bill acceptor and a ticket dispenser disposed between the lower and upper tiers, the bill acceptor being disposed behind the first push button, the ticket dispenser being disposed behind the second push button, and further including receiving a bill or ticket in the bill acceptor to fund the wagering game and dispensing a ticketing from the ticket dispenser to cash out from the wagering game.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the user interface includes a bill acceptor, a ticket dispenser, and a player tracking unit disposed between the lower and upper tiers, and further including receiving a bill or ticket in the bill acceptor to fund the wagering game and dispensing a ticket from the ticket dispenser to cash out from the wagering game.