Player interaction systems

Abstract

A gaming system comprises one or more gaming machines, a display system, a player interface system, and a player tracking system. The display system includes a display screen that displays player interactive information, and the player interface system includes a keypad and a secondary input means. The player tracking system is in communication with the display system and the player interface system, and the player tracking system includes a card reader for accepting and reading player cards.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A gaming system, comprising: 
 at least one gaming machine;    a display system for displaying player interactive information, wherein the display system includes a display screen;    a player interface system having a keypad and a secondary input means; and    a player tracking system in communication with the display system and the player interface system, wherein the player tracking system comprises a card reader for accepting and reading player cards.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more dedicated function buttons are associated with the keypad.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the keypad is a secured keypad such that data received from the keypad is encrypted.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary input means comprises a touch-sensitive frame surrounding the display screen.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary input means comprises one or more touch-sensitive bars surrounding the display screen.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary input means is one or more touch-sensitive buttons.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary input means comprises one or more soft keys located adjacent to the display screen.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary input means is a touchpad, annular touchpad, trackball, joystick, micro-joystick, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A gaming system, comprising: 
 at least one gaming machine having a game display for displaying one or more games;    a player interaction system comprising a transparent LCD screen and a keypad positioned behind the transparent LCD screen, wherein the keypad is visible through the transparent LCD screen; and    a player tracking system in communication with the player interaction system, wherein the player tracking system includes a card reader for accepting and reading player cards.    
     
     
         10 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein one or more dedicated function buttons are associated with the keypad.  
     
     
         11 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the keypad is a secured keypad, such that data received from the keypad is encrypted.  
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the player interaction system further comprises a secondary input means.  
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary input means comprises a touch-sensitive frame surrounding the transparent LCD screen.  
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary input means comprises one or more touch-sensitive bars surrounding the transparent LCD screen.  
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary input means comprises one or more touch-sensitive buttons adjacent to the transparent LCD screen.  
     
     
         16 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary input means comprises one or more soft keys located adjacent to the transparent LCD screen.  
     
     
         17 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary input means is a touchpad, annular touchpad, trackball, joystick, micro-joystick, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A method for enhancing player interaction with a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 obtaining player information from a player;    displaying player services information or game parameters on a display screen; and    enabling the player to use a keyboard and a secondary input means to request player services or to modify game parameters.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein obtaining player information from the player further comprises receiving information from a player card.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving information input via the keypad or the secondary input means.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising encrypting data received from the keypad or the secondary input means.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising displaying player information on the display screen.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein displaying player services information further comprises customizing player services information based upon player information or player data.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising allowing a player to navigate between one or more screens of player services information.  
     
     
         25 . A method for enhancing player interaction with a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 obtaining player information from a player card;    displaying player information on a display screen;    receiving player data from a keypad and a secondary input means;    displaying player services information or gaming parameters on the display screen; and    enabling the player to use a keypad and a secondary input means to request player services or to modify game parameters.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising encrypting data received from the keypad or the secondary input means.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein displaying player services information further comprises customizing player services information based upon player information and/or player data.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising allowing a player to navigate between one or more screens of player services information.