Patent ID: 7892096
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: G07F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising: a physically configurable button panel; a mechanical button, comprising an assembly of components including an actuator, a button cap disposed in a substantially fixed relation to the actuator, a rigid button body being removably attached to the button panel, and a biasing element, the actuator and button cap being disposed to move together relative to the rigid button body and against a biasing force of the biasing element; a touch screen input panel having a minimally flat surface comprising a touch screen configured to produce a change in a voltage signal or electrical signal responsive to a contact or near contact of the mechanical button actuator with a surface of the touch screen input panel, the touch screen input panel being disposed beneath and spaced apart from said button panel and said mechanical button, the touch screen input panel being configured to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the mechanical button actuator to a predetermined position on the touch screen input panel sufficient to change a voltage or electrical signal of said touch screen input panel at said position on the touch screen input panel; and a controller programmed to initiate a function associated with the wagering game in response to the output signal from the touch screen input panel.