Gaming machine with button panel features

Abstract

A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a player-actuated button containing multicolored or multiple LEDs of varied colors for representing denominations, play modes, or values in a wagering game.

1 . A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising: 
 at least one player-actuated button for displaying a plurality of colors; and    a controller for selectively causing the button to display one or more of the colors to represent at least one of different play modes, different minimum denominations, and different values in the wagering game.    
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the button includes multi-color LEDs for displaying the plurality of colors.  
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the button includes multiple LEDs of different colors for displaying the plurality of colors.  
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of colors include a first color and a second color, and wherein the play modes include a base mode and a bonus mode triggered by the base mode, the first color being associated with the base mode, the second color being associated with the bonus mode.  
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of colors include a first color and a second color, and wherein the play modes include a first bonus mode and a second bonus mode, the first color being associated with the first bonus mode, the second color being associated with the second bonus mode.  
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of colors include colors of varied brightness, intensities, hues, tints, or shades.  
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one button includes a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons displaying the same color during at least one of the play modes.  
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one button includes a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons displaying different colors during at least one of the play modes.  
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 1 , further including a tower light for displaying a plurality of denomination colors, wherein the plurality of colors generally correspond to the respective denomination colors.  
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of colors represent a standard color scheme for identifying denomination.  
   
   
       11 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the different values include values associated with a base game.  
   
   
       12 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the different values include values associated with a bonus game.  
   
   
       13 . A player-actuated button for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, comprising: 
 at least one light source for displaying a plurality of colors; and    a controller for selectively causing the light source to display one or more of the colors to represent at least one of different play modes, different minimum denominations, and different values in the wagering game.    
   
   
       14 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein the light source includes multi-color LEDS for displaying the plurality of colors.  
   
   
       15 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein the light source includes multiple LEDS of different colors for displaying the plurality of colors.  
   
   
       16 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of colors include a first color and a second color, and wherein the play modes include a base mode and a bonus mode triggered by the base mode, the first color being associated with the base mode, the second color being associated with the bonus mode.  
   
   
       17 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of colors include a first color and a second color, and wherein the play modes include a first bonus mode and a second bonus mode, the first color being associated with the first bonus mode, the second color being associated with the second bonus mode.  
   
   
       18 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of colors include varied brightness or intensities.  
   
   
       19 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein a plurality of player-actuated buttons include a plurality of colors associated with respective play modes of the wagering game.  
   
   
       20 . The button of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of buttons display same colors during at least one of the play modes.  
   
   
       21 . The button of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of buttons display different colors during at least one of the play modes.  
   
   
       22 . The button of  claim 13 , further including a tower light for displaying a plurality of denomination colors, wherein the plurality of colors generally correspond to the respective denomination colors.  
   
   
       23 . The button of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of colors represent a standard color scheme for identifying denomination.  
   
   
       24 . A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 providing at least one player-actuated button for displaying a plurality of colors; and    selectively causing the button to display one or more of the colors to represent at least one of different play modes, different minimum denominations, and different values in the wagering game.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of colors include a first color and a second color, and wherein the play modes include a base mode and a bonus mode triggered by the base mode, the first color being associated with the base mode, the second color being associated with the bonus mode.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of colors include a first color and a second color, and wherein the play modes include a first bonus mode and a second bonus mode, the first color being associated with the first bonus mode, the second color being associated with the second bonus mode.