Systems and methods for confirming assistance requests in electronic gaming machines

Abstract

The invention provides systems, methods and devices for confirming a service request in a gaming machine, which includes, among other things, a service request signal actuator for transmitting a service request signal relating to a service request, a service request data interface for transmitting a service request verification query for presentation on the display, detecting the input response to the service request verification query, determining whether the input response either is a verification of the service request or a negation of the service request, and terminating the transmission of the service request verification query responsive to the determination of that the input response received is a negation of the service request.

1 . A gaming machine having a display, comprising:
 a. a service request signal actuator operatively associated with the gaming machine and configured for transmitting a service request signal relating to a service request and identifying the associated gaming machine upon actuation thereof;   b. a service request data interface in communication with the service request actuator and configured for (i) transmitting a service request verification query for presentation on the display, the transmission of the service request verification query being responsive to the detection of the service request signal, wherein the query requests an input response including one of either a verification of the service request or a negation of the service request, (ii) detecting the input response to the service request verification query, (iii) determining whether the input response either is a verification of the service request or a negation of the service request, and (iv) terminating the transmission of the service request verification query responsive to the determination of that the input response received is a negation of the service request; and   c. a service request indicator in communication with the service request data interface, wherein the service request indicator is configured to indicate a verified service request to the gaming machine associated therewith responsive to the determination that the input response received is a verification of the service request.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the service request signal actuator is a mechanical button. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the service request signal actuator is a touch sensitive display. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the service request data interface establishes an input based on a player selected portion of the display. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the service request indicator being in communication with a network of gaming machines, indicates a verified service request to the network. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the service request indicator indicates a verified service request by means of an illumination device. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the service request indicator is operatively associated with a slot machine interface board. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the service request data interface suspends further play on the gaming machine for a set period of time, if the service request data interface does not receive verification or negation of the service request within the set period of time, then the service request data interface permits play to continue on the gaming machine. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the display illustrates the set period of time by a countdown of numbers. 
     
     
         10 . A method for confirming a service request in a gaming machine, comprising the following steps of:
 a. receiving a service request signal relating to a service request;   b. transmitting a service request verification query for presentation on the display, the transmission of the service request verification query being responsive to the detection of the service request signal, wherein the query requests an input response including one of either a verification of the service request or a negation of the service request;   c. receiving the input response to the service request verification query;   d. determining whether the input response is either a verification of the service request or a negation of the service request; and   e. transmitting a verified service request signal if input response is a verification of the service request; or   f. terminating the transmission of the service request verification query responsive to the determination of that the input response received is a negation of the service request.   
     
     
         11 . The method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the transmission of a service request signal originates from a mechanical button. 
     
     
         12 . The method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the transmission of a service request signal originates from touch sensitive display. 
     
     
         13 . The method, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the input response is based on a player selected portion of the display. 
     
     
         14 . The method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the verified service request is communicated to the network. 
     
     
         15 . The method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the verified service request is communicated to an illumination device. 
     
     
         16 . The method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 a. if no verification input or negation input of the service request is received within the predetermined period of time, then play is no longer suspended on the gaming machine, and the transmission of the service request verification query is terminated.   
     
     
         17 . The method, as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprises a step of displaying the set period of time by a countdown of numbers.