Gaming machine with proximity sensing touchless display

Abstract

A device for providing a proximity sensing touchless display to a gaming machine is provided. The device includes a processor, a display coupled to the processor, and a touchless input interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the display for receiving input from the player. The input interface employs proximity sensing technology, such as but not limited to proximity button activation. For example, the display can be operable to sense a player's approaching finger entering an electrical field (e.g., corresponding to one or more electrodes) such that a particular button or function on the interface can be activated without the player's finger having to ever physically contact a button, push pad, keypad, touch screen, and/or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A player tracking device for providing a player interface to a player of a gaming machine, the player tracking device coupled to the gaming machine, comprising:
 a processor;   a touchless display coupled to the processor, the touchless display configured to display an image; and   a touchless input interface including a proximity sensor, the interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the touchless display, the interface configured to register the proximity of a player and provide a tactile feedback in response to the player's proximity.   
     
     
         2 . The device, as in  claim 1 , the interface further configured to modify the tactile feedback as a function of the player's proximity to the interface. 
     
     
         3 . The device, as in  claim 2 , the proximity sensor having a first proximity depth, wherein the processor is configured to modify the tactile feedback when the player's proximity reaches the first proximity depth. 
     
     
         4 . The device, as in  claim 3 , the touchless input interface further including at least one indicia; the tactile feedback being associated with the at least one indicia and the at least one indicia being mapped to a portion of the image displayed by the touchless display, the processor further configured to provide the tactile feedback associated with the at least one indicia in relation to the player's proximity to the at least one indicia. 
     
     
         5 . The device, as in  claim 4 , the proximity sensor further including a second proximity depth and the at least one indicia having an associated action, wherein the processor is further configured to provide the tactile feedback associated with the at least one indicia when the player's proximity in relation to the at least one indicia reaches the first proximity depth and initiate the associated action when the player's proximity in relation to the at least one indicia reaches the second proximity depth. 
     
     
         6 . The device, as in  claim 2 , the processor further configured to increase the level of the tactile feedback in relation to the player's proximity to the interface. 
     
     
         7 . The device, as in  claim 1 , the touchless input interface further including a plurality of indicia, each indicia having a tactile response with each indicia being mapped to a particular portion of the image displayed by the touchless display, the processor further configured to the provide the tactile response associated with each particular indicia in relation to the player's proximity to the interface. 
     
     
         8 . The device, as in  claim 7 , wherein each indicia constitutes an informational area. 
     
     
         9 . The device, as in  claim 7 , wherein each indicia constitutes an input area. 
     
     
         10 . The device, as in  claim 9 , the proximity sensor having a first proximity depth and a second proximity depth and each input area having an associated action, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a tactile response when the player's proximity in relation to one of the indicia reaches the first proximity depth and initiate the associated action when the player's proximity in relation to the one of the indicia reaches the second proximity depth. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a player tracking device including a processor, a player tracking device, a touchless display, and a touchless input interface including a proximity sensor and comprising the steps of:
 coupling the touchless display to the processor;   coupling the touchless input interface to the processor;   placing an image on the touchless display;   associating the image with the touchless input interface;   registering the proximity of a player in relation to the interface; and   providing a tactile feedback in response to the player's proximity.   
     
     
         12 . The method, as in  claim 12 , further including the step of modifying the tactile feedback as a function of the player's proximity to the interface. 
     
     
         13 . The method, as in  claim 12 , the proximity sensor having a first proximity depth, further including the step of modifying the tactile feedback when the player's proximity reaches the first proximity depth. 
     
     
         14 . The method, as in  claim 13 , the touchless input interface further including at least one indicia and further including the step of:
 associating a tactile feedback to the at least one indicia;   mapping the indicia to a portion of the image displayed by the touchless display; and   providing the tactile feedback associated with the indicia in relation to the player's proximity to the indicia.   
     
     
         15 . The method, as in  claim 14 , the proximity sensor further including a second proximity depth and the at least one indicia having an associated action, further including the steps of:
 providing the tactile feedback associated with the indicia when the player's proximity in relation to the at least one indicia reaches the first proximity depth; and   initiating the associated action when the player's proximity in relation to the at least one indicia reaches the second proximity depth.   
     
     
         16 . The method, as in  claim 12 , further including the step of increasing the level of the tactile feedback in relation to the increase in proximity of the player to the interface. 
     
     
         17 . The method, as in  claim 11 , the touchless input interface further including a plurality of indicia, each indicia having a tactile response and each indicia being mapped to a particular portion of the image displayed by the touchless display, the method further including the step of providing the tactile response associated with the indicia in relation to the proximity and position of the player to the interface. 
     
     
         18 . The method, as in  claim 17 , wherein each indicia constitutes an informational area. 
     
     
         19 . The method, as in  claim 17 , wherein each indicia constitutes an input area. 
     
     
         20 . The method, as in  claim 19 , the proximity sensor having a first proximity depth and a second proximity depth and each indicia having an associated action, and further including the steps of:
 providing a tactile response when the player's proximity in relation to one of the indicia reaches the first proximity depth; and   initiating the associated action when the player's proximity in relation to the one of the indicia reaches the second proximity depth.   
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory information recording medium on which a computer readable program is recorded that causes a computer to function as a player tracking device for providing a player interface to a player of a gaming machine, the player tracking device coupled to the gaming machine, comprising:
 a processor;   a touchless display coupled to the processor, the touchless display configured to display an image; and   a touchless input interface including a proximity sensor, the interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the touchless display, the interface configured to register the proximity of a player and provide a tactile feedback in response to the player's proximity.