Player tracking module navigation device, and game machine and/or table game incorporating the same

Abstract

The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to gaming machines and table games and, more particularly, to gaming machines and table games that include a player tracking module navigation device. A processor is configured to generate a changeable predetermined control signal in dependence on the PTM's status and/or user input received into the PTM, with the control signal corresponding to possible additional user input acceptable to the PTM given its current and prospective functionality. At least one button is provided. At least one light emitter also is provided, with each said light emitter being associated with one said button. Light activation programmed logic circuitry is configured to selectively enable and/or disable the at least one light emitter in dependence on the control signal. Button actuation programmed logic circuitry is configured to selectively enable and/or disable the at least one button in dependence on the control signal. The control signal includes at least a color code and an actuation code for each said button to visually communicate to the user the possible additional user input acceptable to the PTM. In certain exemplary embodiments, navigation devices may be implemented as hardware or displayed as floating layers. Additionally, in certain exemplary embodiments, navigation devices may be used to control to the action of the PTM, the main screen, the top box, a table, game, etc.

1 . A PTM navigation device for a gaming machine and/or table game including a PTM, comprising:
 a processor configured to generate a predetermined control signal in dependence on the PTM's status and/or user input received into the PTM;   at least one button;   at least one light emitter, each said light emitter being associated with one said button;   light activation programmed logic circuitry configured to selectively enable and/or disable the at least one light emitter in dependence on the control signal; and,   button actuation programmed logic circuitry configured to selectively enable and/or disable the at least one button in dependence on the control signal,   wherein the control signal includes at least a color code and an actuation code for each said button.   
   
   
       2 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitter is an LED. 
   
   
       3 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 2 , wherein the LED is a tri-color LED. 
   
   
       4 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least four directional buttons. 
   
   
       5 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 4 , further comprising numbered buttons. 
   
   
       6 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal indicates an instance of media being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       7 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal indicates a guest services module being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       8 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal indicates a valet module service being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       9 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal indicates a ticket reservation module being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       10 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal indicates a bonus game or award being provided to the user via the PTM. 
   
   
       11 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the PTM navigation device is displayed on the gaming machine and/or the table game as a virtual floating layer. 
   
   
       12 . A method of navigating among features provided by a PTM included on a gaming machine and/or table game, the method comprising:
 providing at least one navigation button;   generating a predetermined control signal in dependence on the PTM's status and/or user input received into the PTM, the control signal including at least a color code and an actuation code for each said navigation button;   selectively changing the color of the at least one navigation button in dependence on the control signal via light activation programmed logic circuitry;   selectively enabling and/or disabling the at least one navigation button in dependence on the control signal via button actuation programmed logic circuitry; and,   responding to user input to the at least one navigation button.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising detecting an instance of media being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       14 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 12 , further comprising detecting a guest services module being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       15 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 12 , further comprising detecting a valet module service being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       16 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 12 , further comprising detecting a ticket reservation module being displayed on the PTM. 
   
   
       17 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 12 , further comprising detecting a bonus game or award being provided to the user via the PTM. 
   
   
       18 . The PTM navigation device of  claim 12 , further comprising generating a virtual floating layer comprising at least the at least one navigation button. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming machine comprising the PTM navigation device of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       20 . A table game comprising the PTM navigation device of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       21 . A PTM navigation device for a gaming machine and/or table game including a PTM, comprising:
 a processor configured to generate a changeable predetermined control signal in dependence on the PTM's status and/or user input received into the PTM, the control signal corresponding to possible additional user input acceptable to the PTM given its current and prospective functionality;   at least one button;   at least one light emitter, each said light emitter being associated with one said button;   light activation programmed logic circuitry configured to selectively enable and/or disable the at least one light emitter in dependence on the control signal; and,   button actuation programmed logic circuitry configured to selectively enable and/or disable the at least one button in dependence on the control signal,   wherein the control signal includes at least a color code and an actuation code for each said button to visually communicate to the user the possible additional user input acceptable to the PTM.   
   
   
       22 . A method of navigating among features provided by a PTM included on a gaming machine and/or table game, the method comprising:
 providing at least one navigation button;   generating a changeable predetermined control signal in dependence on the PTM's status and/or user input received into the PTM, the control signal including at least a color code and an actuation code for each said navigation button and corresponding to possible additional user input acceptable to the PTM given its current and prospective functionality;   selectively changing the color of the at least one navigation button in dependence on the control signal via light activation programmed logic circuitry;   selectively enabling and/or disabling the at least one navigation button in dependence on the control signal via button actuation programmed logic circuitry;   visually communicating to the user the possible additional user input acceptable to the PTM; and,   responding to user input to the at least one navigation button.