Touchscreen Virtual Keyboard for Wagering Game Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gaming machines require physical keyboards for alphanumeric input, increasing size and cost, and limiting the ability to accommodate future player input needs.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system with a touch-screen input device that displays a pop-up window with a virtual keyboard, allowing players to input data without the need for a physical keyboard, enhancing player interaction and machine functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical keyboard is included on the gaming machine for alphanumeric input, then the player can input text and data, but the size and manufacturing cost of the machine increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealphanumeric input capabilityVSAvoidmachine size and manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays a virtual keyboard as a graphical representation on the touchscreen display. This virtual copy of the physical keyboard allows players to input alphanumeric characters by touching the display, eliminating the need for actual physical keyboard hardware while maintaining full input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical keyboard system with a touch-based graphical interface. Instead of requiring physical key presses, players interact with a displayed keyboard layout through touch inputs, substituting mechanical input devices with a software-based solution that runs on the gaming machine's display system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a physical keyboard is included on the gaming machine, then alphanumeric input is enabled, but the ability to accommodate future player input needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent input capabilityVSAvoidfuture input needs accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual keyboard displayed on the touchscreen can be dynamically configured and modified. The system can adapt the keyboard layout, add new input methods, or change functionality based on future gaming requirements without requiring physical hardware changes, thereby maintaining long-term adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen display serves multiple functions: it displays game information, provides the virtual keyboard interface, and can accommodate various future input methods. This multi-functional approach allows a single component to handle both current and future player input needs without requiring dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8182333B2Wagering game with auto-triggered player device

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

A gaming system including an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and a touch-screen input device in association with the display. In response to a predetermined criterion, a pop-up window is displayed on the display that allows the player to enter data into a field on the display. The pop-up window preferably includes keys to enter the data, such as an image of a standard keyboard for entering alpha-numeric data.