Abstract:
According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising a physically configurable button panel and at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel. The gaming machine also comprises an input panel disposed adjacent to the button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button and a controller for initiating a function in response to the output signal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application 60/655,588, filed on Feb. 22,2005 and entitled “Gaming Machine With Configurable Button Panel”, and this provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming machine with a configurable button panel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player. 
     One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with “progressive jackpot” awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators. 
     Gaming machines have utilized a variety of mechanisms to present various combinations of symbols, and to award prizes, money, or other awards associated with certain predefined winning combinations. Traditional slot machines, for example, utilize a plurality of reels (either mechanical, or simulated on a video display) and at least one payline, with certain combination of symbols landing on the payline constituting winning combinations for which awards are given to the player in accordance with a pay table. Video poker gaming machines offer an alternative wherein winning combinations correspond with traditional winning poker hands. 
     Players of gaming machines have been presented with a variety of interface methods for entering commands into the gaming machine. Typical interface components are buttons, touch screen panels, and the traditional lever. Modern gaming machines are moving away from the lever and focusing more on button, touch screen, and other interface technologies. The convenience of these offerings helps speed up the play of the games and causes much less exertion to the player. 
     Buttons on gaming machines have evolved over the years, most notably changing in shape and lighting. While many varieties, lighting types, and purposes exist today, the focus of the buttons has always been primarily to initiate commands. While the advent of the button panel has increased the rate of play and made it easier for the player to conduct the game, the buttons themselves have only provided input to the gaming machine from the player and had very little to do with information feed back. With the ability to change games within a cabinet and alter signage and other artistic elements to support the new game, configuration of button panels typically relies on the ability of a technician to change the button identifier such as changing an insert or replace the entire button. As gaming machines start offering more game selections to the player, the need for instant re-configuration of elements such as buttons becomes necessary. 
     To increase the entertainment value of a gaming terminal and to support the specific configurations unique games, a configurable button panel would offer the gaming machine manufacturer additional latitude to help dynamically support unique themes on multi-game terminals and provide variety to the player without the limitation of a static button arrangement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising a physically configurable button panel and at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel. The gaming machine also comprises an input panel disposed adjacent to the button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button and a controller for initiating a function in response to the output signal. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The method comprises the act of providing a physically configurable button panel and at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel. The method further comprises the act of providing an input panel disposed adjacent to the mechanical button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button, and the act of initiating a function with a controller in response to the output signal. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a physically configurable button panel for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game is disclosed. The physically configurable button panel comprises at least one mechanical button and a configurable input panel for producing an output signal in response to actuation of the at least one mechanical button, the input panel being proximate to the button panel. 
     Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 3   a  is an exploded isometric view of a configurable mechanical-touch screen button panel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side view of a mechanical button used in the configurable mechanical-touch screen button panel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an exploded isometric view of a configurable touch screen panel with a graphic button panel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a side view of a configurable touch screen panel with a graphic button panel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c  are isometric views of configurable buttons in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6   a  is an isometric view of a physically configurable button panel in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6   b  is an isometric view of a button used in the physically configurable button panel of  FIG. 6   a  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6   c  is a sectional view of a button used in the physically configurable button panel of  FIG. 6   a  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of a matrix button panel in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c  are sectional views of buttons used in the matrix button panel of  FIG. 7  in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a gaming machine  10  is used in gaming establishments such as casinos. With regard to the present invention, the gaming machine  10  may be any type of gaming machine and may have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the gaming machine  10  may be an electromechanical gaming machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc. 
     The gaming machine  10  comprises a housing  12  and includes input devices, including a value input device  18  and a player input device  24 . For output the gaming machine  10  includes a primary display  14  for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display  14  can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming machine  10  may also include a secondary display  16  for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine  10  are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine  10 . 
     The value input device  18  may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing  12 . The value input device  18  receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value input device  18  may include a coin acceptor  20  for receiving coin currency (see  FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, or in addition, the value input device  18  may include a bill acceptor  22  for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input device  18  may include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the gaming machine  10 . 
     The player input device  24  comprises a plurality of push buttons  26  on a button panel for operating the gaming machine  10 . In addition, or alternatively, the player input device  24  may comprise a touch screen  28  mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display  14  and/or secondary display  16 . The touch screen  28  contains soft touch keys  30  denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display  14  and used to operate the gaming machine  10 . The touch screen  28  provides players with an option on how to make their game selections. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen  28  at an appropriate touch key  30  or by pressing an appropriate push button  26  on the button panel. The touch keys  30  may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons  26 . Alternatively, the push buttons  26  may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys  30  may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game. 
     The various components of the gaming machine  10  may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing  12 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , or may be located outboard of the housing  12  and connected to the housing  12  via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. Thus, the gaming machine  10  comprises these components whether housed in the housing  12 , or outboard of the housing  12  and connected remotely. 
     The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display  14 . The primary display  14  can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display  14  may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine  10 . As shown, the primary display  14  includes the touch screen  28  overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion thereof to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display  14  of the gaming machine  10  may include a number of mechanical devices to display certain aspects of the game or the outcome resulting from a wager. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine  10  is an “upright” version in which the primary display  14  is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display  14  is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine  10 . 
     A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device  18  of the gaming machine  10 . A player can select play by using the player input device  24 , via the buttons  26  or the touch screen keys  30 . The basic game consists of a randomly mixed or shuffled set, array, stack, deck, or combination thereof of playing cards and any one or combination of a timer, placeholder, scoring meter, and other mechanisms used in play of the game. Outcomes are based on a combination of player skill and randomly generated presentations of playing cards. 
     In some embodiments, the gaming machine  10  may also include a player information reader  52  that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. The player information reader  52  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. Currently, identification is generally used by casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment&#39;s loyalty club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her card into the player information reader  52 , which allows the casino&#39;s computers to register that player&#39;s wagering at the gaming machine  10 . The gaming machine  10  may use the secondary display  16  or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the information reader  52  may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and saved during a previous game session. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the various components of the gaming machine  10  are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU)  34 , also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor). To provide gaming functions, the controller  34  executes one or more game programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, in the form of memory  36 . The controller  34  performs the random selection (using a random number generator (RNG)) of an outcome from the plurality of possible outcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random event may be determined at a remote controller. The remote controller may use either an RNG or pooling scheme for its central determination of a game outcome. It should be appreciated that the controller  34  may include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor. 
     The controller  34  is also coupled to the system memory  36  and a money/credit detector  38 . The system memory  36  may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory  36  may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector  38  signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via the value input device  18 . Preferably, these components are located within the housing  12  of the gaming machine  10 . However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing  12  and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine  10  via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the controller  34  is also connected to, and controls, the primary display  14 , the player input device  24 , and a payoff mechanism  40 . The payoff mechanism  40  is operable in response to instructions from the controller  34  to award a payoff to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s). The payoff may be provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards, etc. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the payoff mechanism  40  includes both a ticket printer  42  and a coin outlet  44 . However, any of a variety of payoff mechanisms  40  well known in the art may be implemented, including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc. The payoff amounts distributed by the payoff mechanism  40  are determined by one or more pay tables stored in the system memory  36 . 
     Communications between the controller  34  and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine  10  and external systems  50  occur through input/output (I/O) circuits  46 ,  48 . More specifically, the controller  34  controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine  10  through the input/output circuits  46 . Further, the controller  34  communicates with the external systems  50  via the I/O circuits  48  and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems  50  may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. 
     Controller  34 , as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine  10  that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine  10  and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller  34  may comprise one or more controllers or processors. In  FIG. 2 , the controller  34  in the gaming machine  10  is depicted as comprising a CPU, but the controller  34  may alternatively comprises a CPU in combination with such couple components as the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  and the system memory  36 . 
     In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3   a  is an exploded isometric view of a mechanical touch screen button panel used in this embodiment as a player input device  24 . Button panel  60  contains multiple mechanical buttons  62  and is electrically connected to a power supply and controller via lighting cable  70 . Lighting cable  70  provides power to the lighting elements used to illuminate the buttons  62 . In some cases, lighting cable  70  also provides signaling from the primary controller to a secondary controller on or in close proximity to the button panel  60 , said secondary controller controlling lighting effects on the button panel  60 . Button panel  60  is connected to a support panel  66 . The support panel  66  is also used to position a touch screen panel  64 . The touch screen panel  64  is minimally flat on one surface and typically flat on two surfaces. The touch screen panel  64  receives power and receives and sends signals via a control cable  68 . The touch screen panel  64  is positioned between the button panel  60  and the support panel  66 . The touch screen panel  64  can be configured as a single switch with a single associated button  62 , accommodating a single function. The touch screen panel  64  can also be configured as multiple switches with multiple buttons  62 , accommodating multiple functions. The placement of the switches on the touch screen panel  64  is also configurable and may be done prior to the start of play or dynamically during play. The touch screen  64  is a sensor that typically has an electrical current or a signal passing through it. By touching the surface of the touch screen  64 , a voltage or signal change occurs and is used to determine the location of the touch. Once determined, a signal is sent to a controller. The controller is configured to respond with specific functions based on the location of the touch on the touch screen  64 . As explained above, these locations become, in essence, switches. Multiple switches can be configured on the touch screen  64  and an equal number of buttons can be arranged to correspond with each location or switch. Once assembled, button panel  60  is parallel to touch screen  64 . 
       FIG. 3   b  is a side view of a button  62  on the button panel  60  in proximity to the touch screen  64 . Indicia presented on a button cap  72  provides the player with information about the purpose and function of the button  62 . Indicia presented on or through the button cap  72  can be of any of a number of forms including etching, screening, inserts, and liquid crystal display (LCD). Button cap  72  is inserted in bezel  74  that is connected to button panel  60  and button body  79 . Various lighting methods and types can be used in this application. In this preferred embodiment, the buttons  62  are backlit or contain lighting elements such as a lamp  78  placed within the body  79  of the button  62 . An actuator  76  is connected to button cap  72  through button body  79 . The tip of actuator  76  is a stylus nib  77  comprised, but not limited to, a soft material such as rubber or nylon. The stylus nib  77  is the component of the mechanical button  62  that meets the surface of touch screen  64 . To initiate a function, the player presses the button cap  72  on button  62 . As the button cap  72  moves away from the player or downward, the actuator  76  and the stylus nib  77  moved down and touch the touch screen  64 . The distance required for the actuator  76  to travel to reach the touch screen  64  can be any distance deemed necessary to cause the touch and achieve the result of altering the voltage or electrical signal at the point of contact on the touch screen  64  by the stylus nib  77 . Additional aspects of the button  62  may include an internal mechanical device producing a “clicking” sound or tactile sensation. A primary advantage of this embodiment is the relatively quick reconfiguration of buttons to meet requirements of a new game offering or specific casino request. If, for example, the mechanical buttons  62  were configured with an LCD for displaying indicia and the mechanical buttons  62  received signaling through lighting cable  70 , a new game offering could automatically reconfigure the button panel including the indicia presented on the mechanical buttons  62 . As the new game is loaded, signals are sent to the button panel  60  configuring the buttons  62 . Specific positions on the touch screen  64  would correspond to the intended use of the buttons  62 . After the new game is loaded, signals received from specific positions on the touch screen  64  that correspond to the buttons  62  being pressed would initiate functions as determined by the game software. 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 4   a  is an exploded isometric view of a touch screen  64  with graphic button panel  80  containing an identification marking  84 . The graphic button panel  80  is an artwork element that contains visual representations on buttons as shown by button representation  82 . The graphic button panel  80  can be any visual artwork element including, but not limited to, translucent screened glass, translucent art film, paper, cardboard, plastic, and other sheet substances capable of presenting screening, printing, paint, etching, or other visual method of presenting artwork on a flat surface. An identification marking  84  is also presented on the graphic button panel  80 . The identification marking  84  is a machine-readable identifier that identifies the graphic button panel  80  to the controller, thus allowing the controller to recognize the configuration of the touch screen  64  as visually presented to the player via graphic button panel  80  and respond accordingly to signals received from the touch screen  64  for the areas represented by the button representations  82 . For example, a particular graphic button panel  80  is intended for a specific game. The identification marking  84  on the graphic button panel  80  identifies the specific game to the controller and the controller responds to the signals received from the areas on the touch screen  64  visually represented on the graphic button panel  80  by the button representations  82 . The controller, in effect, configures the gaming machine to present the game and button panel based on the identification marking  84  on the graphic button panel  80 . Identification marking  84  can be any visual marking including, but not limited to, bar coding, screen reflective surface, resistor, capacitor, or transistor screening, and physical binary encoding as represented by notches along the reading edge of the graphic button panel  80 . The touch screen panel  64  is powered and communicates with the controller via a control cable  68 . Backlighting may also be used to illuminate the graphic button panel  80 . 
       FIG. 4   b  is a sectional view of an area on the gaming machine  10  that is a typical location for a player interface such as a button panel. In this embodiment, the touch screen  64  is the physical interface between the gaming machine  10  and the player. Graphic button panel  80  is positioned directly below the touch screen  64  and may be in close proximity or touching the bottom surface of touch screen  64 . In this example, an identification reader  86  is mounted to a clear support panel  85  below the location of the identification marking  84  on the graphic button panel  80 . The identification reader  86  is mounted to the bottom surface of clear support panel  85  or within a cutout on same said panel. The identification reader  86  can be any visual reading device including, but not limited to, a charge-coupled device (CCD), laser reader, infrared transceiver, and physical binary encoding reader. The identification reader  85  is connected to a controller responsible for responding to the signal sent by the identification reader  85 . 
     In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c  are isometric views of dynamically configurable buttons for a gaming machine.  FIG. 5   a  is a button  26   a  with a liquid crystal display (LCD or light emitting diode (LED) display  88  mounted within the button body  90 .  FIG. 5   b  is a button  26   b  with an LCD or LED display  98  mounted in a bezel  96  surrounding the button body  94 .  FIG. 5   c  is a button  26   c  and LCD or LED display  99  configured in proximity to each other. Button  26   c  is comprised of bezel  92  and button body  94 . In each of the examples comprising this embodiment, the actual function of the button  26  and corresponding label as displayed on the LCD or LED displays are directly configured by a controller internal to the gaming machine or externally from a host server. An excellent use of this embodiment is in a multiple-game gaming terminal. After a game has been selected, and during loading of the game to the display, the buttons on the button panel may also be configured to support the chosen game. As the game is being installed and configured, the buttons would automatically be configured to present the appropriate indicia to the player identifying the function of each button. Additionally, during play of a game, if bonus rounds require a different button configuration from the basic game, button function and the corresponding displays on the buttons can be dynamically changed. 
     In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 6   a  is an isometric view of a player input device  24  in the form of a physically configurable button panel. Electro-mechanical buttons  100  are mounted within button panel  101 . The buttons  100  can be physically interchanged between any positions on the button panel  101 . In this example, button  100  in location A can physically change positions with button  100  in location B provided that the button  100  in position B is the same type of button  100  in position A. To prevent loss or theft, the button panel  101  secures the buttons  100  in place and is itself secured to the gaming machine.  FIG. 6   b  is an isometric view of a button cap  102  and a button bezel  103  comprising the top portion of the button  100 . Incorporated into the bezel  103  are finger grips  104  used to grasp the button  100  and remove it from its position.  FIG. 6   c  is a sectional view of button  100  taken generally along line  6   c - 6   c  in  FIG. 6   a . Socket  106  is connected to printed circuit board  112  from which power is received and signaling is transmitted. Button  100  is comprised of button cap  102 , bezel  103  with finger grips  104 , body  105 , identification chip  108 , and contacts  110 . Button  100  is placed into socket  106  and may be seated or secured within the socket  106  by a number of methods including compression, magnets, clasps, and others. To prevent unauthorized removal of the button  100 , button panel  101  is positioned over the bezel  103  and secured to the gaming machine allowing the repositioning of the buttons  100  to be performed only by a technician or casino employee. Automatic recognition by the controller of the insertion of a button  100  is accomplished by the use of the identification chip  108 . In this example, chip  108  is a memory device with a unique identification number such as the Dallas Semiconductor DS2401 Silicon Serial Number package. The controller is configured to recognize the function of the button  100  based on its identification as communicated by the identification chip  108 . Since the identification chip  108  resides within the body  105  of the button  100 , the function of the button  100  remains constant in any position on the button panel  101 . Because of the permanence of the function of button  100 , fixed indicia can be used when displaying the function of the button  100  to the player. Etching and screening are two methods that can be used to permanently print the function of the button  100  on the button cap  102 . The flexibility of a physically configurable button panel allows casinos and other wagering establishments to create a button panel presentation that is unique or conforms to the general requirements of the patrons. 
     In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of a player input device  24  in the form of a matrix button panel. The two primary components of the matrix button panel are a button panel  114  with buttons  116  and an internal component panel  118  with predefined component positions  120 . The locations of the predefined component positions  120  allow the button panel  114  to be configured in a variety of ways with three rows of positions available. Once secured together the button panel  114  positions the buttons  116  over the predefined component positions  120 . Continuing with  FIG. 8   a  through  FIG. 8   c , sectional views of an exploded matrix button panel assembly, the variety of component placement combinations allow gaming machine designers the flexibility to create specific button designs while using a standard button panel. The flexibility allowed by the matrix button panel also includes the use of a variety of components configured a variety of ways allowing for more selective procurement to help lower component and assembly costs. Starting with  FIG. 8   a , the button panel  114  secures the button  116   a . Under the button cap  122 , a lamp assembly  124 , for illuminating the button cap  122 , and a switch assembly  126  are incorporated into the button  116   a . On the internal component panel  118 , the predefined component position  120  is only occupied by contacts  128  to connect electrical power and signal communications to the button  116   a . When the button panel  114  and internal component panel  118  are connected, button leader  125  is inserted or physically touches contact  128  to create the electric and signal connection required to operate the button  116   a  and realize signaling form the button  116   a  to a controller. Turning now to  FIG. 8   b , button  116   b  includes the button cap  122  and internal lamp assembly  124 . The switch  126  in this example, is now is located within the predefined component position  120  on the internal component panel  118 . An actuator  123  compresses the switch  126  when the button cap  122  is pressed. As presented in the example shown in  FIG. 8   a , when the button panel  114  and internal component panel  118  are connected, button leader  125  is inserted or physically touches contact  128  to create the electric and signal connection required to operate the button  116   b .  FIG. 8   c  is another example of this embodiment showing most of the functional components placed in the predefined component position  120  on the internal component panel  118 . Once the button panel  114  and internal component panel  118  are connected, button leader  125  is inserted or physically touches contact  128  to create the electric and signal connection required to operate button  116   c . Switch contacts  126  are positioned around lamp assembly  124 . When the button cap  122  is pressed, switch link  127  physically touched switch contacts  126  creating the circuit that identifies to the controller that switch  116   c  has been pressed. The three examples comprising this embodiment are presented to show the variety of configurations available to game designers and are intended to provide flexibility in design for component use and cost saings. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.