Patent Publication Number: US-9895607-B2

Title: Haptic feedback on a gaming terminal display

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to electronic gaming systems, such as casino gaming terminals. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for providing haptic feedback on touchscreen displays of electronic gaming systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gaming systems, such as casino-based gaming terminals, often include a variety of physical input mechanisms which allow a player to provide instructions to the gaming terminal. For example, slot machines are often equipped with a lever or one or more buttons which cause the machine to initiate a spin of a plurality of reels. 
     Modern day gaming terminals are often electronic devices. The modern day gaming terminals may include a touchscreen display. The touchscreen display can provide a display interface to a player and can receive touchscreen input from the player. Further, modern day gaming terminals often include one or more speakers. While modern day gaming terminals can provide an immersive visual and audio experience, such gaming terminals typically only provide visual and audible feedback. There is a need for improved gaming terminals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the present application, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example electronic gaming machine (EGM) in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of an example display and example ultrasonic actuators in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate cross-sectional views of the example display and example ultrasonic actuators taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of an example display and example ultrasonic actuators in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of an EGM and a host system in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an example online implementation of a computer system configured for gaming; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing haptic feedback on a touchscreen display of an EGM; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing haptic feedback on a touchscreen display of an EGM; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example game interface provided to a player of an EGM; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing a cumulative friction feedback effect on a touchscreen display of an EGM; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example game interface provided to a player of an EGM; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing haptic feedback to guide a player feature towards a target interface element; 
         FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C  illustrate an example game interface when providing haptic feedback to guide a player towards a target interface element; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example game interface provided to a player of an EGM. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference numerals are used in different figures to denote similar components. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     There is described an electronic gaming machine (EGM) for providing a game to a player. The EGM includes a touchscreen having a touchscreen surface. The EGM also includes an ultrasonic actuator coupled to the touchscreen surface to vibrate the touchscreen surface. The EGM further includes a processor coupled to the touchscreen and the ultrasonic actuator. The processor is configured to identify a location of a player feature on the touchscreen surface. Further, the processor is configured to control the ultrasonic actuator based on at least one of the identified location and a game state associated with the game to provide a friction feedback effect to the player. 
     In another aspect, there is described a method for providing a game to a player at an electronic gaming machine. The electronic gaming machine includes a touchscreen having a touchscreen surface and an ultrasonic actuator coupled to the touchscreen surface to vibrate the touchscreen surface. The method includes identifying a location of a player feature on the touchscreen surface and controlling the ultrasonic actuator based on at least one of the identified location and a game state associated with the game to provide a friction feedback effect to the player. 
     In another aspect, there is described a non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to identify a location of a player feature on a touchscreen surface and control an ultrasonic actuator based on at least one of the identified location and a game state associated with the game to provide a friction feedback effect to the player. 
     Other aspects and features of the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the application in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     The embodiments described herein may be included in any one of a number of possible gaming systems including, for example, a computer, a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet computer, a casino-based gaming terminal, a virtual reality terminal or gaming devices of other types. In at least some embodiments, the gaming system may be connected to the Internet via a communication path such as a Local Area Network (LAN) and/or a Wide Area Network (WAN). In at least some embodiments, the gaming improvements described herein may be included in an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM). An EGM  10  in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The techniques described herein may also be applied to other electronic devices that are not gaming systems. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which is an example electronic gaming machine (EGM). The EGM  10  is configured to provide haptic feedback to a user at a display  12 . In some embodiments, the display  12  may be a touchscreen. The touchscreen may have a touchscreen surface  18 . As will be described, the haptic feedback may be provided by vibrating the touchscreen surface  18  to provide friction feedback effects on the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     The display  12  may be of a variety of different display types including, for example, a thin film transistor (TFT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or a display of another type. 
     As described, in some embodiments, the display  12  may be a touchscreen display. The touchscreen display may cause generation of electrical signals in response to receiving a touch input at a touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the electrical signals may indicate coordinates of the touch input in terms of X and Y coordinates. The touchscreen display may determine where on the touchscreen surface  18  a player feature made contact. 
     A player or user of the EGM  10  may contact the display  12  using a player feature. A player feature, as described herein, may be a particular feature of the player such as, for example, a particular body part of the player. For example, the player feature may be a hand, a finger (such as an index finger), legs, feet, torso, arms, etc. 
     The display  12  may be configured to provide a visual representation of a game being executed on the EGM  10 . In some embodiments, a front side of the display will generally be referred to as a touchscreen surface  18  and is the portion of the display  12  upon which displayed features of the game are rendered and displayed and which is generally viewable by the player. In some embodiments, the touchscreen surface  18  may be flat, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the touchscreen surface  18  may be curved. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the display  12  has a display surface  18  that is substantially rectangular having four sides including a left side, a right side, a top side and a bottom side. 
     In some embodiments, the touchscreen display may have a touchscreen surface  18  for receiving touch input. In some embodiments, the touchscreen surface  18  may be integral with the display  12 . That is, the touchscreen surface  18  may be an outer layer on the front side of the display  12 . In some embodiments, the touchscreen surface  18  may be a touchscreen overlay. The touchscreen overlay may be touch-sensitive such that an electrical signal is produced in response to contact with the touchscreen overlay. 
     In some embodiments, the touchscreen surface  18  may be an added layer of glass, plastic, acrylic or any other suitable material. The layer of glass, plastic, acrylic or any other suitable material may be placed on the front side of the display  12  and may transmit touch input to the display  12 . For example, the layer of glass, plastic or acrylic may transmit touch input to a touchscreen overlay associated with the display  12 . In some embodiments, a rubber gasket may be provided between the layer of glass, plastic, acrylic or other suitable material and the display  12 . The rubber gasket may be placed along the left side, the right side, the top side and/or the bottom side of the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     As will be described in greater detail, in some embodiments, one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be coupled to the display  12 . In particular, the one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  of the display  12 . The ultrasonic actuator  19  may be a device that vibrates the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may emit ultrasonic waves causing vibrations at the touchscreen surface  18 . The ultrasonic waves may be emitted at ultrasonic frequencies, including frequencies ranging from approximately 20 kilohertz (e.g., 20,000 hertz) up to several gigahertz. That is, ultrasounds may be sound waves with frequencies greater than the upper audible limit of hearing by a human being. 
     In some embodiments, when a player feature contacts the touchscreen surface  18 , the ultrasonic actuator  19  may cause vibrations at the touchscreen surface  18  to provide a friction feedback effect detectable from the touchscreen surface  18  by a player feature. For example, when the ultrasonic actuator  19  causes the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency, the player feature may detect a friction effect from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, when the ultrasonic actuator  19  causes the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a higher frequency in the ultrasonic frequency range, the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect simulating a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, a friction feedback effect simulating a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  may resemble a smooth or felt-like texture. A coefficient of friction may be a value which represents the ratio of the force of friction between two bodies. 
     Although examples in the present disclosure may reference a coefficient of friction between a player feature and a touchscreen surface  18 , other measures describing a friction feedback effect detectable from a touchscreen surface  18  are possible. For example, a friction feedback effect may be described with reference to different levels of grits, similar to describing sandpaper with different levels of grits. Further, although examples in the present disclosure may describe one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  emitting waves or fields at frequencies in the ultrasonic frequency range, in some embodiments, the one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may also emit waves or fields to cause vibrations at the touchscreen surface  18  using frequencies outside the ultrasonic frequency range. For example, the one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may emit waves or fields at frequencies less than 20 kilohertz or greater than a few gigahertz. 
     In some embodiments, when the ultrasonic actuator  19  causes the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a lower frequency in the ultrasonic frequency range, the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect simulating a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, a friction feedback effect simulating a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  may resemble a gritty or a sandpaper-like surface. That is, the player feature may detect simulated resistance as the player feature is moved from one location to another location along the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the EGM  10  may include a camera  16 . In some embodiments, the camera  16  may be oriented in the direction of a player or a player feature of the EGM  10 . In some embodiments, the camera  16  may be oriented in the direction of the display  12  and may capture information relating to real-time positioning of the player feature with respect to a touchscreen surface  18 . The camera  16  may be a digital camera that has an image sensor that generates an electrical signal based on received light. The electrical signal may represent camera data. The camera data may be stored in memory of the EGM  10  in any suitable image or video file format. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  16  may be a stereo camera which includes two image sensors (i.e., the camera may include two digital cameras). The image sensors may allow multiple images to be obtained at the same time. In some embodiments, the cameras may generate stereoscopic images. The stereoscopic images may allow depth information to be obtained. Accordingly, the EGM  10  may be configured to determine a location of a player or player feature relative to components of the EGM  10  based on the camera data. 
     In the EGM  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , the camera  16  is mounted directly above the display  12  and midway between the left and right ends of the display  12 . However, in some embodiments, the camera may be located at other locations. 
     The EGM  10  may include a video controller that controls the display  12 . For example, the video controller may render images of games and provide the rendered images of the games to the display  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the EGM  10  may include a second display  14 . The second display  14  may provide additional game data or information to supplement information and images displayed on the display  12 . In some embodiments, the second display  14  may provide static information, such as an advertisement for the game, the rules of the game, pay tables, pay lines or other information. In some embodiments, the second display  14  may perform similar functions as the display  12 . For example, the second display may be coupled to one or more ultrasonic actuators to vibrate the second display surface. In some embodiments, the second display  14  may display portions of the main game or a bonus game alongside the display  12 . 
     The second display  14  may utilize any of the display technologies described above (e.g., LED, OLED, CRT, etc.). In some embodiments, the second display  14  may be an auto stereoscopic display. In some embodiments, the second display  14  may include a secondary camera (which may be a stereo camera) for tracking the location of a user&#39;s eyes relative to the second display  14 . In some embodiments, the second display  14  may not be an electronic display, and instead, it may be a display glass for conveying game information. 
     The EGM  10  may be equipped with one or more input mechanisms. As described, in some embodiments, one or both of the display  12  or the second display  14  may be a touchscreen display. The touchscreen display may include a touchscreen overlay. The touchscreen overlay may be touch-sensitive such that an electrical signal is produced in response to contact with the touchscreen overlay. 
     In some embodiments, the touchscreen may be a capacitive touchscreen device. The capacitive touchscreen device may include a transparent grid of conductors. When a player touches the capacitive touchscreen device, the touch may cause a capacitive change between at least two conductors, allowing the location of the touch on the touchscreen device to be determined. In some embodiments, the touchscreen device may be configured for multi-touch functionality. 
     Other input mechanisms may be provided instead of or in addition to the touchscreen. For example, a keypad  36  may accept player input. Player input may include a personal identification number (PIN) or any other player information. A display  38  above the keypad  36  may display a menu for providing instructions and other information. The display  38  may also provide visual feedback to the player relating to keys pressed on the keypad  36 . In some embodiments, the keypad  36  may be an input device such as a touchscreen or a dynamic digital button. 
     The EGM  10  may also be equipped with control buttons  39 . The control buttons  39  may be an input mechanism. The control buttons  39  may include buttons for receiving various commonly received inputs associated with a game provided by the EGM  10 . In some embodiments, the control buttons  39  may include a bet button, a repeat bet button, a spin reels (or play) button, a maximum bet button, a cash-out button, a display pay lines button, a display payout tables button, select icon buttons or other buttons. In some embodiments, one or more of the control buttons may be virtual buttons or input interface elements provided by a touchscreen. 
     The EGM  10  may also include currency, credit or token handling mechanisms for receiving currency, credits or tokens required for game play or for dispensing currency, credits or tokens based on the outcome of the game play. A coin slot  22  may accept coins or tokens in one or more denominations to generate credits within EGM  10  for playing games. An input slot  24  may include an optical reader. The input slot  24  may receive machine readable printed tickets. An output slot  26  may include a printer. The output slot  26  may provide machine readable tickets. The input slot  24  and the output slot  26  may be used for cashless gaming. 
     A coin tray  32  may receive coins or tokens from a hopper upon a win or upon the player cashing out. In some embodiments, the EGM  10  may be a gaming terminal that does not pay in cash, but only issues a printed ticket which is not legal tender. In some embodiments, the printed ticket may be exchanged for legal tender elsewhere. 
     In some embodiments, a card reader interface  34 , such as a card reader slot, may allow the EGM  10  to interact with a stored value card, identification card or a card of another type. A stored value card is a card which stores a balance of credits, currency or tokens associated with that card. An identification card is a card that identifies a user. In some embodiments, the functions of the stored value card and identification card may be provided on a common card. In some other embodiments, the above described functions may not be provided on the same card. For example, in some embodiments, an identification card may be used which allows the EGM  10  to identify an account associated with a user. The identification card uniquely identifies the user and may be used, for example, to track the amount of play associated with the user (e.g., in order to offer the user promotions when their play reaches certain levels). The identification card may be referred to as a player tracking card. 
     In some embodiments, an identification card may be inserted to allow the EGM  10  to access an account balance associated with the user&#39;s account. The account balance may be maintained at a host system or other remote server accessible to the EGM  10 . The EGM  10  may adjust the account balance based on game play conducted on the EGM  10 . 
     In some embodiments where a stored value card may be used, a balance may be stored on the card. The account balance may be adjusted to include additional credits when a winning outcome results from game play. 
     The stored value card and/or identification card may include a memory and a communication interface which allows the EGM  10  to access the memory of the stored value card. The card may take various forms including, for example, a smart card, a magnetic strip card (in which case the memory and the communication interface may both be provided by a magnetic strip), a card with a printed bar code or another type of card conveying machine readable information. 
     In some embodiments, the card may not be provided in the shape of a conventional card, but in another form factor. For example, the card may be a virtual card residing on a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The mobile device may, for example, be configured to communicate with the EGM  10  via a near field communication (NFC) subsystem. 
     The nature of the card reader interface  34  may depend on the nature of the cards used with the card reader interface  34 . The card reader interface may, for example, be configured to read a magnetic code on the stored value card, interact with PINs associated with the card (e.g., if the card is a smart card), read a bar code or other visible indicia printed on the card (in which case the card reader interface  34  may be an optical reader), or interact with the card wirelessly (e.g., if it is NFC enabled). In some embodiments, the card may be inserted into the card reader interface  34  to trigger reading of the card. In some embodiments, when using NFC enabled cards, reading of the card may be performed without insertion of the card into the card reader interface  34 . 
     While not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the EGM  10  may include a chair or seat. In some embodiments, the chair or seat may be fixed to the EGM  10  so that the chair or seat does not move relative to the EGM  10 . In some embodiments, the fixed connection may maintain a player in a position that is generally centrally aligned with the display  12 . 
     The embodiments described herein are implemented by physical computer hardware embodiments. The embodiments described herein provide useful physical machines and particularly configured computer hardware arrangements of computer devices, servers, electronic gaming terminals, processors, memory, networks, for example. The embodiments described herein, for example, are directed to computer apparatuses, and methods implemented by computers through the processing of electronic data signals. 
     The embodiments described herein involve numerous hardware components such as computing devices, cameras, servers, receivers, transmitters, processors, memory, a display, networks and electronic gaming terminals. The components and combinations thereof may be configured to perform the various functions described herein, including providing haptic feedback to a user on a display screen. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are directed towards electronic machines configured to process and transform electromagnetic signals representing various types of information. The embodiments described herein pervasively and integrally relate to machines and their uses. The embodiments described herein have no meaning or practical applicability outside their use with computer hardware, machines and various hardware components. 
     Substituting the EGM  10 , computing devices, ultrasonic actuators, cameras, servers, receivers, transmitters, processors, memory, displays, networks and electronic gaming terminals for non-physical hardware, using mental steps for example, substantially affects the way the embodiments work. 
     At least some computer hardware features are essential elements of the embodiments described herein, and cannot be omitted or substituted for mental means without having a material effect on the operation and structure of the embodiments described herein. The computer hardware is essential to the embodiments described herein and is not merely used to perform steps expeditiously and in an efficient manner. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located at the sides of the touchscreen surface  18 . To further illustrate the location and orientation of the ultrasonic actuators  19  in the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , reference will now be made to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a display  12  and ultrasonic actuators  19  shown in a front view and in isolation. Other components of the EGM  10  are not shown so that aspects of the display  12  and the ultrasonic actuators  19  may be more apparent. 
     In the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located proximate a left side of the display  12 , another one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located proximate a right side of the display  12 , another one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located proximate a top side of the display and another one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located proximate a bottom side of the display  12 . 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG. 2 , four ultrasonic actuators  19  are provided. However, in other embodiments, the number of ultrasonic actuators  19  may be greater or less than four. For example, in some embodiments, one ultrasonic actuator  19  located at any of the left, right, top or bottom side of the display  12  may be sufficient to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be an ultrasonic emitter, piezoelectric vibrator, a capacitive transducer or any other device that may be coupled to a touchscreen surface  18  and that may cause vibrations to the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, although two or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be coupled to a touchscreen surface  18 , one ultrasonic actuator  19  may be active and controlled to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  at any given time. 
     In some embodiments, two or more ultrasonic actuators  19  forming a series of ultrasonic actuators  19  may concurrently operate to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, each ultrasonic actuator  19  in the series of ultrasonic actuators  19  may emit an ultrasonic field or wave such that the series of ultrasonic actuators  19  may collectively vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  to provide a friction feedback effect. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3A  which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the display  12  and ultrasonic actuators  19  taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an example embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, the touchscreen surface  18  may be integral with the display  12 . That is, the touchscreen surface  18  may be an outer layer on the front side of the display  12 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be physically coupled to the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the ultrasonic actuators  19  may have a physical mechanism for vibrating the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may not be physically coupled to the touchscreen surface  18 . The ultrasonic actuators  19  may instead emit ultrasonic waves or fields that when coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3B  which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display  12 , a touchscreen surface  18  and ultrasonic actuators  19  taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an example embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the touchscreen surface  18  may be a layer of glass, plastic, acrylic or any other suitable material and may be placed on the front side of the display  12 . The touchscreen surface  18  may transmit touch input to the display  12  or a touchscreen overlay associated with the display  12 . In some embodiments, a gasket (not illustrated) may be provided between the layer of glass, plastic, acrylic or any other suitable material and the display  12 . That is, the gasket may separate the touchscreen surface  18  from the display  12  such that when the processor  45  controls the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a friction feedback effect, the touchscreen surface  18  may vibrate while the display  12  may not vibrate. For example, the touchscreen surface  18  may vibrate to provide a friction feedback effect detectable by a player feature from the touchscreen surface  18 . Further, the touchscreen surface  18  may also transmit touch input to the display  12 . 
     The gasket may be placed along the left side, the right side, the top side and/or the bottom side of the touchscreen surface  18 . The gasket may be made of rubber or any other material suitable to be placed between the touchscreen surface  18  material and the display  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , in some embodiments, the one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  and not to the display  12 . In some embodiments, the one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be coupled to both the display  12  and the touchscreen surface  18  but may vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  during operation. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  which illustrates a front view of an example display  12  and example ultrasonic actuators  19  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located under the display  12  such that the ultrasonic actuators  19  are coupled to a back side of the display  12 . In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuators  19  may emit ultrasonic waves or an ultrasonic field in the direction of the display  12 . The ultrasonic waves or the ultrasonic field may permeate the display  12  prior to reaching the touchscreen surface  18  and cause vibration of the touchscreen surface  18 . To minimize attenuation of the emitted ultrasonic waves or the ultrasonic field caused by the display  12 , the display  12  may be a relatively thin display. The display  12  may permit the ultrasonic waves or the ultrasonic field to pass through the display to the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, an ultrasonic actuator  19  may be located along each edge of the display  12 . For example, an ultrasonic actuator  19  may be located along the left edge, the right edge, the top edge and the bottom edge and coupled to the back side of the display  12 . However, other configurations are possible. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuators  19  may be located near each corner of the display  12  and coupled to the back side of the display  12 . 
     Although four ultrasonic actuators  19  are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in other embodiments, the number of ultrasonic actuators  19  may be greater or less than four. For example, in some embodiments, one ultrasonic actuator  19  may be located at any of the left, right, top or bottom side or any other location on the back side of the display  12  to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5  which illustrates a block diagram  500  of an EGM  10  and a host system  41 . The EGM  10  may be of the type described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The EGM  10  may include a communications board  42 . The communications board  42  may contain circuitry for communicably linking the EGM  10  to the host system  41  via a local area network (LAN) or another type of network using any suitable protocol, such as the Game-to-System (G2S) standard protocol. The communications board  42  may allow the EGM  10  to communicate with the host system  41  to enable software to be downloaded from the host system  41 , to enable remote configuration of the EGM  10 , to enable remote software verification and/or other features. The G2S protocol document is available from the Gaming Standards Association. The G2S protocol document is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In some embodiments, processors at the host system  41  may execute a game based on input received, via a network, from the EGM (or a computing device) and may provide output of the game execution, via a network, to the EGM (or a computing device). That is, the EGM may be a client device for presenting a game interface. In some embodiments, processors at the EGM (or a computing device) may execute the game. During execution, the EGM may transmit results of the game such that the host system  41  may update player points, credits or dollar accounts. In some embodiments, a combination of the processor(s) at the EGM (or a computing device) and the processor(s) at the host system  41  may execute the game. 
     The communications board  42  may transmit and receive data using a wireless transmitter, or it may be directly connected to a network running throughout the casino floor. The communications board  42  establishes a communication link with a master controller and buffers data between the network and a game controller board  44 . The communications board  42  may also communicate with a network server, such as the host system  41 , for exchanging information to carry out embodiments described herein. 
     The communications board  42  may be coupled to a game controller board  44 . The game controller board  44  may contain a processor  45  and a memory  46 . The processor  45  may carry out programs stored in the memory  46  and for providing the information requested by the host system  41  via the network. In some embodiments, the game controller board  44  may carry out game routines. 
     In the present disclosure, the term “a processor” is intended to include both a single processor and also a plurality of processors coupled to one another which distribute operations among the processors. 
     Peripheral devices/boards communicate with the game controller board  44  via a bus  70  using, for example, an RS-232 interface. Such peripherals may include a bill validator  47 , a coin detector  48 , a card reader interface  49  (e.g., a smart card reader or other type of card reader) and player control inputs  50  (e.g., buttons or a touchscreen). Other peripherals may include one or more cameras  16  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In some embodiments, the game controller board  44  may control one or more devices that produce the game output including audio and video output associated with a particular game that is presented to the user. For example, an audio board  51  may convert coded signals into analog signals for driving speakers. A display controller  52 , typically requiring high data transfer rates, may convert coded signals to pixel signals for a display  12 . As described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , the display  12  may have a touchscreen surface  18 . The display controller  52  and the audio board  51  may be directly connected to parallel ports on the game controller board  44 . The electronics on the various boards may be combined onto a single board. 
     In some embodiments, the EGM  10  may include a processor  45  coupled to a display  12  and to one or more ultrasonic actuators  19 . The one or more ultrasonic actuators  19  may be coupled to the touchscreen surface  18 . The ultrasonic actuators  19  may vibrate the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be an ultrasonic emitter, a piezoelectric vibrator, a capacitive transducer or any other device that may emit waves or cause vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies. Ultrasonic frequencies may be frequencies in the range of approximately 20 kilohertz (e.g., 20,000 hertz) to several gigahertz. That is, ultrasounds may be waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. 
     In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be physically coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  to cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a frequency in the range of ultrasound frequencies. In some embodiments, the one or more actuators  19  may emit an ultrasonic field having a standing wave. The emitted standing wave may be coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  and may cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate. For example, the standing wave of the ultrasonic field may correspond to a friction feedback effect detected by a player feature from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, when the ultrasonic actuator  19  causes the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a frequency contained in the upper end of the range of ultrasonic frequencies, the player feature may detect a smooth feedback effect from the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the player feature may detect a felt-like or a glue-like texture on the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at such a rapid rate such that an effective time that the player feature physically contacts the touchscreen surface  18  may be less than when the ultrasonic actuator  19  may cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a frequency contained in the lower end of the range of ultrasonic frequencies. 
     In some embodiments, when the ultrasonic actuator  19  causes the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a frequency contained in the lower end of the range of ultrasonic frequencies, the player feature may detect a rough feedback effect or textured feedback effect from the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the player may seemingly detect a texture similar to a texture detected on sandpaper. That is, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a relatively lower rate such that an effective time that the player feature physically contacts the touchscreen surface  18  may be more than when the ultrasonic actuator  19  may cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate at a frequency contained in the upper end of the range of ultrasonic frequencies. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of peripherals may include or be associated with an application programming interface (API). For example, in some embodiments, an API may be associated with the ultrasonic actuator  19 . The API for the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be used to configure the ultrasonic actuator  19  for causing the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate. That is, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may cause vibration to the touchscreen surface  18  for providing haptic feedback to a player feature. The haptic feedback may include providing a friction feedback effect from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the EGM  10  may include one or more processors provided, for example, in the game controller board  44 , the display controller  52  and/or the one or more ultrasonic actuators  19 . In some embodiments, a single “main processor”, which may be provided in the game controller board  44 , for example, may perform all of the processing functions described herein. In some embodiments, two or more processors may be provided to distribute processing. 
     The techniques described herein may also be used with other electronic devices, apart from the EGM  10 . For example, in some embodiments, the techniques described herein may be used in a computing device  64 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6  which is an example online implementation of a computer system and an online gaming device. For example, a server computer  60  may be configured to enable online gaming in accordance with embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the server computer  60  and/or a computing device  64  may perform one or more functions of the EGM  10  described herein. 
     One or more users may use a computing device  64  that is configured to connect to the network  62  and, via the network  62 . to the server computer  60  in order to access the functionality described in this disclosure. The computing device  64  may be configured with hardware and software to interact with an EGM  10  or server computer  60  via the network  62  to implement gaming functionality and provide haptic feedback, as described herein. For simplicity only one computing device  64  is illustrated but the system may include one or more computing devices  64  operable by users to access remote network resources. The computing device  64  may be implemented using one or more processors and one or more data storage devices configured with database(s) or file system(s), or using multiple devices or groups of storage devices distributed over a wide geographic area and connected via a network (which may be referred to as “cloud computing”). 
     The computing device  64  may reside on any networked computing device, such as a personal computer, workstation, server, portable computer, mobile device, personal ditigal assistant, laptop, tablet, smart phone, wireless application protocol (WAP) phone, an interactive television, video display terminals, gaming consoles, electronic reading device and portable electronic devices or a combination of these. 
     The computing device  64  may include any type of processor, such as, for example, any type of general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, an integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a reconfigurable processor, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), or any combination thereof. The computing device  64  may include any type of computer memory that is located either internally or externally such as, for example, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) or the like. 
     The computing device  64  may include one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, camera, touch screen and a microphone, and may also include one or more output devices such as a display screen (with touchscreen capabilities) and a speaker. In some embodiments, the computing device  64  may have a touchscreen coupled to one or more ultrasonic actuators  19 . The computing device  64  may have a network interface in order to communicate with other components, to access and connect to network resources, to serve an application and other applications, and perform other computing applications by connecting to a network (or multiple networks) capable of carrying data including the Internet, Ethernet, plain old telephone service (POTS) line, public switch telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), coaxial cable, fiber optics, satellite, mobile, wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi, WiMAX), signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling network, fixed line, local area network, wide area network, and others, including any combination of these. The computing device  64  is operable to register and authenticate users (using a login, unique identifier, and password for example) prior to providing access to applications, a local network, network resources, other networks and network security devices. The computing device  64  may serve one user or multiple users. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7  which illustrates an example method  700  for providing haptic feedback on an electronic gaming machine (EGM)  10 . The method  700  may be performed by an EGM  10  of the type described above with reference to  FIG. 1 or 5 , by a host system  41  or server computer  60  described above with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 6  or by a variation or combination of such electronic devices. For example, in at least some embodiments, processor-executable instructions may configure a processor  45  of a game controller board  44  to perform the method  700 . 
     At  702 , the processor  45  of the EGM  10  game controller board  44  may execute a game. In some embodiments, the game may provide a game interface. The game interface may include one or more input interface elements to elicit player input. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the game may require player input. For example, the game may be a slot machine type game and may require a player to specify a quantity of points or a quantity of currency that the player may like to bet. The processor  45  may provide the one or more input interface elements for display on the touchscreen surface  18  and the player may provide player input via the touchscreen surface  18  and/or player control inputs  50 . 
     At  704 , the processor  45  may determine whether a player feature has contacted the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, player input may be necessary for the game execution to continue or for the game to advance to the next game operation. Accordingly, the player may provide input by using a player feature (e.g., a hand, a finger, etc.) to contact the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, the player may contact the touchscreen surface  18  based on interface elements that are displayed and viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 . If the processor  45  does not detect a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 , the processor  45  may continue to execute the game and/or may monitor the game execution to detect a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     If the processor  45  detects a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 , at  706 , the processor  45  may identify a location of the player feature on the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, in response to detecting touch input at the touchscreen surface  18 , the processor  45  may receive one or more electrical signals from the touchscreen surface  18  that may indicate coordinates of the detected touch input in terms of X and Y coordinates. That is, the processor  45  may determine where on the touchscreen surface  18  the player feature made contact with the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, in addition to identifying the location of the player feature based on data from the touchscreen surface  18 , the processor  45  may identify a location of the player feature using data from one or more cameras  16 . For example, a camera  16  may be positioned to capture images of the player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18  and the processor  45  may identify, based on the data from the one or more cameras  16 , the location of the player feature on the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the data from the cameras  16  may be used to pre-empt or predict the location of the player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, in addition to being a touchscreen display, the display  12  may also be a hover-sensitive display that is configured to generate electrical signals when a player feature, such as a player finger or hand, is hovering adjacent the touchscreen surface  18  (e.g., when the player feature is within close proximity to the touchscreen surface  18  but not necessarily contacting the touchscreen surface  18 ). Similar to a touchscreen display, a hover-sensitive display may generate one or more electrical signals indicating the location of the player feature using X and Y coordinates. Accordingly, a hover-sensitive display may provide information to identify a location of a player feature on the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     At  708 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  based on at least one of the identified location and a game state associated with the game to provide friction feedback to the player. In some embodiments, based on the identified location where the player feature contacted the touchscreen surface  18 , the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, in some embodiments, as will be described in greater detail, when the player feature contacts the touchscreen surface  18  at a particular location on the touchscreen surface  18 , the ultrasonic actuator  19  may vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  to provide a particular friction feedback effect associated with the identified location. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be an ultrasonic emitter (e.g., for emitting ultrasonic frequency waves), a piezo electric vibrator, a capacitive transducer or any other device that may cause vibrations to the touchscreen surface  18  at ultrasonic frequencies. 
     By causing the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to simulate varying degrees of simulated surface friction on the touchscreen surface  18 . By simulating surface friction on the touchscreen surface  18 , the processor  45  may provide haptic feedback to the player feature from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  at various frequencies. For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  at a frequency in the ultrasonic frequency range. The ultrasonic frequency range may include frequencies from approximately 20 kilohertz to several gigahertz. Although in the present example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to cause vibrations in the ultrasonic frequency range, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to cause vibrations in any other frequency range for simulating varying degrees of surface friction on the touchscreen surface  18  as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, when the processor  45  controls the ultrasonic actuator  19  to vibrate at a higher frequency in the ultrasonic frequency range, the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect for simulating a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the player feature may detect a smooth or felt-like texture on the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the player feature may be able to glide across at least a portion of the touchscreen surface  18  and may feel or perceive little resistance. 
     In some embodiments, when the processor  45  controls the ultrasonic actuator  19  to vibrate at a lower frequency in the ultrasonic frequency range, the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect for simulating a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the player feature may detect a gritty or sandpaper-like texture on the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the player feature may feel or perceive surface resistance when attempting to glide across at least a portion of the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to emit an ultrasonic field having a standing wave. The standing wave may correspond to a friction feedback effect detected by the player feature from the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be coupled to the touchscreen surface  18 . The processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to emit the ultrasonic field with a standing wave such that the touchscreen surface  18  may be continually vibrating at the frequency of the standing wave. 
     For example, a standing wave with a first frequency may be a frequency near the upper end of the ultrasonic frequency range. The standing wave may cause the touchscreen surface  18  to vibrate such that the touchscreen surface  18  may simulate a surface having a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the touchscreen surface  18  may simulate a surface such as smooth glass. That is, because the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  with a standing wave at a selected frequency, the friction feedback effect may continue to be detected by a player feature on the touchscreen surface  18  for as long as the processor  45  controls the ultrasonic actuator to vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  with the standing wave at the selected frequency. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  based on a game state. For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a friction feedback effect associated with a game status update. For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a friction feedback effect to simulate an increasingly rougher surface when the player successively advances game levels. In another example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a friction feedback effect to simulate a rough surface when the processor  45  determines that the player may be engaging in irresponsible gaming behaviour. 
     Example embodiments of controlling the ultrasonic actuator  19 , for example at  708 , will be discussed in greater detail at least with reference to  FIGS. 8, 10 and 12 . 
     Interface and Non-Interface Elements Distinguished 
     While at a casino or gaming establishment, a player may be engaged with an EGM  10  for long periods of time. A player may adapt to audio and visual indicators provided by the EGM  10 . Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide the player with additional sources of feedback or additional types of indicators for conveying information relating to games. Further, the EGM  10  may provide a game interface with densely populated text and graphics. In some embodiments, a player may find it challenging to quickly discern what elements on a touchscreen surface  18  may be selectable (e.g., for interacting with the EGM  10 ) and which elements may not be selectable. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8  which illustrates an example method  800  for providing haptic feedback on an EGM  10 . In particular,  FIG. 8  illustrates an example method  800  for providing a friction feedback effect for interface elements and non-interface elements. The method may be performed by an EGM  10  of the type described above with reference to  FIG. 1 or 5 , by a host system  41  or server computer  60  described above with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 6  or by a variation or combination of such electronic devices. For example, in at least some embodiments, processor-executable instructions may configure a processor  45  of a game controller board  44  to perform the method  800 . 
     To illustrate the method  800 , simultaneous reference will be made to  FIG. 9  which illustrates an example game interface  900  provided on a display  12  of an EGM  10 . The game interface  900  may include a “Total Points” indicator  910  for displaying the total number of accumulated points. The game interface  900  may also include a “Game Level” indicator  912  for displaying the current game level or game stage. In some embodiments, the game interface  900  may include a series of game play interfaces  920 ,  922 ,  924 . For example, the game play interfaces  920 ,  922 ,  924  may be a series of virtual spinning reals of an electronic slot machine. Further, the game interface  900  may include a series of input interface elements  930   a ,  930   b ,  930   c ,  930   d . For ease of explanation, the series of input interface elements  930   a ,  930   b ,  930   c ,  930   d  may generally be described as input interface elements  930 . 
     In some embodiments, the display  12  may be a touchscreen display. The touchscreen may have a touchscreen surface  18 . The input interface elements  930  may be viewable from the touchscreen surface  18  and a player may contact the touchscreen surface  18  for interacting with the input interface elements  930 . For example, the game interface  900  may be an electronic slot machine and, using the input interface elements  930 , the player may indicate an amount to bet for the game round. As illustrated, in an example, the player may place a bet having a value of 5, 10, 20 or 50 units. The units may, for example, be dollars, points or credits. 
     At  802 , the processor  45  may display at least one interface element on a touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the at least one interface element may include the example input interface elements  930  shown in the example game interface  900 . 
     At  804 , the processor  45  may determine whether the player feature has contacted the at least one interface element displayed on the touchscreen surface  18  based on the location of the player feature. As described, in some embodiments, based on data from one or more cameras  16 , data from a hover-sensitive display and/or data from a touchscreen overlay, the processor  45  may determine the location of a player feature relative to the touchscreen surface  18 . Further, the processor  45  may determine whether the location of the player feature on the touchscreen surface  18  is associated with the at least one interface element that is viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     For example, referring again to  FIG. 9 , the processor  45  may determine that the player feature has contacted the touchscreen surface  18  at a location near the lower left portion of the touchscreen surface  18 . Further, the processor  45  may determine that the location near the lower left portion of the touchscreen surface  18  corresponds to an input interface element  930   a  associated with a value of 5 units. Accordingly, the processor  45  may determine that the player feature has contacted an interface element, such as the input interface element  930   a , associated with a value of 5 units. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one interface element may be associated with friction feedback information defining a friction feedback effect. For example, the processor  45  may control or configure an ultrasonic actuator  19  based on the friction feedback information. In some embodiments, the friction feedback information may include: a frequency parameter which controls the frequency at which the ultrasonic actuator  19  may be triggered; an amplitude parameter which controls the peak output of the ultrasonic actuator  19 ; an attack parameter which controls the amount of time taken for initial run up of the ultrasonic actuator output from nil (e.g., when the interface element is first activated) to peak; a decay parameter which controls the amount of time taken for the subsequent run down from the attack level to a designated sustain level; a sustain parameter which is an output level taken following the decay; and/or a release parameter which controls the time taken for the level to decay from the sustain level to nil. 
     In response to determining the player feature has contacted the interface element, at  806 , the processor  45  may set a first friction feedback effect based on the friction feedback information associated with the interface element that is contacted by the player feature. For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a standing wave with a frequency near the upper end of the ultrasonic frequency range. Accordingly, the ultrasonic actuator  19  may vibrate the touchscreen surface  18  at the frequency of the standing wave and the player may detect a smooth or felt-like texture on the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, the game interface  900  may include two or more interface elements, such as input interface elements  930 . Each of the input interface elements  930  may be game-value interface elements. Each of the game-value interface elements may be associated with a game value. For example, the input interface elements  930   a ,  930   b ,  930   c ,  930   d  may be game-value interface elements. A first input interface element  930   a  may be associated with a game-value of 5 points, credits or dollars. A second input interface element  930   b  may be associated with a game-value of 10 points, credits or dollars. A third input interface element  930   c  may be associated with a game-value of 20 points, credits or dollars. Further, a fourth input interface element  940   d  may be associated with a game-value of 50 points, credits or dollars. 
     In some embodiments, each of the input interface elements  930  may be associated with friction feedback information defining a friction feedback effect. For example, the second input interface element  930   b  may be associated with second friction feedback information defining a second friction feedback effect and the second friction feedback effect may be different than the first feedback effect. 
     In some embodiments, each of the input interface elements  930  may be associated with a different set of friction feedback information, where each set of friction feedback information may be associated with a different friction feedback effect. For example, among the input interface elements  930 , the fourth input interface element  930   d  may be associated with the fourth set of friction feedback information defining a fourth friction feedback effect that simulates a surface having a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . The first input interface element  930   a  may be associated with the first set of friction feedback information defining a first friction feedback effect that simulates a surface having a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . Further, the second input interface element  930   b  and the third input interface element  930   c  may be associated with the second friction feedback effect and the third friction feedback effect that simulates a surface having a coefficient of friction progressively in between the first friction feedback effect and the fourth friction feedback effect. 
     Accordingly, the input interface elements  930  may be associated with friction feedback information for defining a friction feedback effect associated with a game-value. That is, a game-value interface element associated with a higher game-value may be displayed by the display  12  (e.g., viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 ) and may be associated with a friction feedback effect simulating a smooth touchscreen surface (as detected by a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 ). A game-value element associated with a lower game-value may be displayed by the display  12  (e.g., viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 ) and may be associated with a friction feedback effect simulating a rough or gritty touchscreen surface (as detected by a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 ). Accordingly, the processor  45  may provide haptic feedback using friction feedback effects such that a player feature may quickly identify information relating to an input interface element  930  without needing to look at the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In another example, in response to determining the player feature has not contacted the at least one interface element, at  808 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to set a friction feedback effect to simulate a touchscreen surface having a very high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the processor  45  may set a friction feedback effect to simulate a touchscreen surface having a higher coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface than a coefficient of friction between the player feature and a touchscreen surface portion associated with at least one interface element. Accordingly, the processor  45  may provide haptic feedback using friction feedback effects such that a player feature may quickly identify whether the contacted portion of the touchscreen surface  18  is an interface element for providing information to the EGM  10 . 
     Continuing with the example above, the first input interface element  930   a  may be associated with a friction feedback effect for simulating a surface having the highest coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface among the input interface elements  930  in the game interface  900 . Accordingly, in response to determining the player feature has not contacted the at least one interface element, the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect for simulating a surface having a higher coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface than a coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  portion associated with the first interface input interface element  930   a . That is, when the player contacts a non-input interface element, the processor  45  may provide a friction feedback effect that feels more textured or gritty than the first input interface element  930 . 
     Accordingly, the processor  45  may provide haptic feedback to the player feature by simulating a touchscreen surface having higher or lower coefficients of friction. By adjusting the frequency of a provided standing wave according to whether the player feature has contacted a touchscreen surface portion associated with an interface element, such as input interface elements  930 , the processor  45  may be able to provide feedback to the player relating to whether the player feature may be contacting portions of the touchscreen surface  18  where input may be received. 
     Cumulative Friction Feedback Effect 
     While at a casino or gaming establishment, a player may be engaged with an EGM  10  for long periods of time. A player may adapt to audio and visual indicators provided by the EGM  10 . Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide the player with additional sources of feedback or additional types of indicators for conveying information relating to games. For example, it may be desirable to provide indications relating to the progressive nature of the game being played or indications of progressive merit, such as advancement of game levels or accumulation of points or credits. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 10  which illustrates an example method  1000  for providing haptic feedback on an EGM  10 . In particular,  FIG. 10  illustrates an example method  1000  for providing a cumulative friction feedback effect in response to user input. The method may be performed by an EGM  10  of the type described above with reference to  FIG. 1 or 5 , by a host system  41  or server computer  60  described above with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 6  or a variation or combination of such electronic devices. For example, in at least some embodiments, processor-executable instructions may configure a processor  45  of a game controller board  44  to perform the method  1000 . 
     To illustrate the method  1000 , simultaneous reference will be made to  FIG. 1100  which illustrates an example game interface  1100  provided on a display  12  of an EGM. The example game interface  1100  may include a “Total Points” indicator  1110  for displaying the total number of accumulated points. The game interface  1100  may also include an “Elapsed Time” indicator  1112  for displaying, for example, the total amount of time that has passed since the start of the game round. In some embodiments, the game interface  1100  may include a game play interface  1114 , a movable status bar  1116  and a sliding input interface element  1118 . 
     With the game associated with the game interface  1100 , the player may be required to accumulate a pre-determined number of game credits within a specified amount of time. For example, the player may be required to accumulate  5 , 000  game credits within 90 seconds. Further, the player may accumulate game credits by continually sliding a player feature across a sliding input interface element  1118 . As the player accumulates game credits, the movable status bar  1116  may move towards a star shape. When the movable status bar  1116  reaches the star shape of the game play interface  1114 , the player will have accumulated the required number of game credits. 
     Continuing with the present example, as the player feature continually slides across the input interface element  1118  to “pump up an object” and to accumulate game credits, the processor  45  may control an ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide haptic feedback to the player feature. 
     At  1002 , the processor  45  may determine a current friction feedback effect on the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a friction feedback effect to the player feature to simulate a touchscreen surface having a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the processor  45  may provide an initial friction feedback effect to the touchscreen surface  18  and the processor  45  may determine, for example, friction feedback information associated with the initial friction feedback effect. 
     At  1004 , the processor  45  may determine whether the player feature has relocated from a first location to a second location. In some embodiments, the processor  45  may determine that the player feature has relocated from a first location to a second location when the player feature slides across a portion of the touchscreen surface. For example, the game illustrated in  FIG. 11  may require the player feature to move laterally across the sliding input interface element  1118  as quickly as possible to accumulate game-credits within a fixed amount of time (e.g., 60 seconds). In some embodiments, the processor  45  may determine that the player feature has relocated from a first location to a second location when the player successively taps the player feature on the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, tapping the player feature on the touchscreen surface  18  may simulate actuating a mechanical valve for pumping fluids from one location to another location (e.g., “pumping an object”). 
     In response to determining the player feature has relocated from a first location to a second location, at  1006 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a cumulative friction feedback effect. For example, for each time that the player feature slides across the input interface element  1118  from a first location to a second location, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a friction feedback effect simulating a surface with a relatively higher coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . The relatively higher coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  may be associated with the increasing number of game-credits being accumulated. Further, the processor  45  may update the game play interface  1114  such that the rising status bar  1116  gets closer to the star shape at the top of the game play interface. 
     Accordingly, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a cumulative friction feedback effect for indicating a progressive game status. For example, in the game provided in the game interface  1100 , a cumulative friction feedback effect, including a progressively rougher surface texture, may provide indication to the player feature that the player is approaching the required number of game-credits to win a game round. That is, a cumulative feedback effect may provide a player feature a relative indication of progressive aspect of a game. 
     Guiding a Player Feature to a Touchscreen Target Interface Element 
     An EGM  10  may execute a game requiring a player to locate a target interface element. The EGM  10  may provide audio and visual feedback for assisting the player in locating the target interface element. However, an electronic gaming machine may be located in a casino and located alongside several other gaming machines. The casino environment may be very noisy and audio feedback played through speakers may not be audible to the player. Further, the player may be distracted by visual indicators from other gaming machines. Accordingly, it may be useful to provide an additional level of feedback to the player for enhancing the player&#39;s gaming experience. 
     Reference will now be made to  FIG. 12  which illustrates an example method  1200  for providing haptic feedback to guide a player feature towards a target interface element. The method  1200  may be performed by the EGM  10  of the type described above with reference to  FIG. 1 or 5 , by a host system  41  or server computer  60  described above with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 6  or by a variation or combination of such electronic devices. For example, in at least some embodiments, processor-executable instructions may configure a processor  45  of a game controller board  44  to perform the method  1200 . 
     To illustrate the method  1200 , simultaneous reference will be made to  FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C  which illustrate an example game interface  1300  provided on a display  12 . In some embodiments, the game interface  1300  may be provided on a touchscreen display having a touchscreen surface  18 . The game interface  1300  may include a target interface element  1302  and several game objects  1304  distinct from the target interface element  1302 . Although one target interface element  1302  and three game objects  1304  are illustrated, any number of target interface elements  1302  and any number of game objects  1304  may be provided on the game interface  1300 . Further, although the target interface element  1302  is generally illustrated as a rectangular object, the target interface element  1302  may be any shape. Similarly, although the game objects  1304  are generally illustrated as circular objects, the game objects  1304  may be any shape and may be the same shape as the target interface element  1302 . The game interface  1300  may include other objects, including other graphics or text. However, for ease of explanation, selected objects are illustrated in the game interface  1300 . 
     In some embodiments, the game may require that a player contact a touchscreen surface  18  to identify a target interface element  1302 . The player may interact with the game interface  1300  using a player feature, such as an outstretched finger at a first location  1310  ( FIG. 13A ), second location  1312   a  ( FIG. 13B ), or third location  1312   b  ( FIG. 13C ). 
     In some embodiments, the target interface element  1302  may be a “Call Attendant” button. For example, the method  1200  may assist a player with visual impairment in locating the target interface element  1302 , such as the “Call Attendant”. That is, as will become apparent, by receiving haptic feedback based on a detected friction feedback effect from the touchscreen surface  18 , a player with visual impairment may be guided to the “Call Attendant” button. 
     In some embodiments, the target interface element  1302  may be a game object, such as a bonus prize. For example, the game may require that the player locate a target interface element  1302  in a game interface  1300  filled with other objects, where the other objects may be nominal prize elements. In some embodiments, the target interface element  1302  may be hidden. That is, the target interface element  1302  may be camouflaged and not easily distinguished from other game objects  1304 . For example, the target interface element  1302  may be a circular object and difficult to distinguish from the other game objects  1304 . Accordingly, the game may require that the player locate the target interface element  1302  by contacting the touchscreen surface  18  using an outstretched finger at a first location  1310 , second location  1312   a , or third location  1312   b.    
     In some embodiments, the target interface element  1302  may not be displayed by the display  12  or may not be visible from the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the processor  45  may not render or make visible to the player the target interface element  1302 . For example, the game may require that the player use the provided haptic feedback to locate the target interface element  1302 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 12 , at  1202 , the processor  45  may provide the target interface element  1302 . In some embodiments, the target interface element  1302  may be provided to the display  12  and may be visible from the touchscreen surface  18 . In some other embodiments, the target interface element  1302  may not be displayed by the display  12  or may not be visible from the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the target interface element  1302  may be defined but may not be rendered on the display  12  or viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     At  1204 , the processor  45  may detect a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18  at a first location  1310 . For example, referring again to  FIG. 13A , the processor  45  may detect an outstretched player finger at the first location  1310 . Although the player feature is described as an outstretched player finger, the player feature may be any other feature of the player, including, for example the bottom of a player&#39;s palm. In some embodiments, the player feature may be a pen device that is held by the player and designed for contacting and interfacing with the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     At  1206 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a first friction feedback effect on the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  such that the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect, such as a texture, on the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the player feature may detect a friction feedback effect simulating a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface to provide simulated resistance to the player feature. Although the friction feedback effect is described with respect to relative coefficients of friction, any other measure describing the ratio of friction forces between two bodies may be used to describe the friction feedback effect detected by the player feature. As will be apparent, the first friction feedback effect may be an initial reference point such that the player feature may determine, based on a second friction feedback effect, whether the player feature may be moving nearer or away from the target interface element  1302 . As will be described, in some embodiments, the second friction feedback effect may be a pleasurable friction feedback effect or an undesirable friction feedback effect. 
     At  1208 , the processor  45  may detect the player feature contacting the touchscreen surface at a second location  1312   a . For example, referring to  FIG. 13B , the processor  45  may detect the outstretched player finger at the second location  1312   a.    
     At  1210 , the processor  45  may determine whether the second location is nearer to the target interface element than the first location. In some embodiments, the processor  45  may determine whether the second location  1312   a  is nearer to the target interface element  1302  than the first location  1310  by calculating and comparing absolute distances. In some embodiments, the processor  45  may determine whether the second location  1312   a  is nearer to the target interface element  1302  than the first location  1310  using relative measurements. 
     In response to determining the second location  1312   a  is nearer to the target interface element  1302  than the first location  1310 , at  1214 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a pleasurable friction feedback effect. In some embodiments, the pleasurable friction feedback effect may be provided by simulating a low coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the player feature may detect a smooth, silky, glue-like or felt-like texture on the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, as the player feature may be getting closer to the target interface element  1302 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide less perceived resistance when the player feature approaches the target interface element  1302 . Perceived or detected resistance may include a gritty or sandpaper-like texture. In contrast, less perceived or detected resistance may include a smooth, silky, glue-like or felt-like texture. 
     In some embodiments, the friction feedback effect may be on a progressive scale. That is, as the processor  45  determines that the player feature is gradually getting closer to the target interface element  1302 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to gradually adjust a standing wave frequency that is coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  such that the coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen gradually decreases. 
     Accordingly, as in the example illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , as the player feature contacts the touchscreen surface  18  at successively different locations, if the processor  45  controls the ultrasonic actuator  19  to adjust a standing wave frequency such that the coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  decreases, the processor  45  may progressively provide signals to the player that the player feature is progressively moving towards the target interface element  1302 . In some embodiments, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to adjust any other parameter such that a texture or friction feedback effect for a simulated surface changes. For example, the processor  45  may control a standing wave amplitude or any other standing wave parameter such that a texture or friction feedback effect for a simulated surface changes. 
     In another example, referring concurrently to  FIGS. 13A and 13C , the processor  45  may detect that the outstretched player finger may be moving away from the target interface element  1302 . Referring to  FIG. 13C , at  1208 , the processor  45  may detect the player feature contacting the touchscreen surface at a third location  1312   b.    
     At  1210 , the processor  45  may determine whether the third location  1312   b  is nearer to the target interface element  1302  than the first location  1310 . 
     In response to determining the third location  1312   b  is not nearer to the target interface element than the first location  1310 , at  1216 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide an undesirable friction feedback effect. In some embodiments, the undesirable friction feedback effect may be provided by simulating a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . For example, the player feature may detect a gritty or sandpaper-like texture on the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the friction feedback effect may be on a progressive scale. That is, as the processor  45  determines that the player feature is not getting closer to the target interface element  1302 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to gradually adjust a standing wave frequency that is coupled to the touchscreen surface  18  such that the simulated coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  gradually increases. 
     Accordingly, as in the example illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 13A and 13C , as the player feature contacts the touchscreen surface  18  at successively different locations, if the processor  45  controls the ultrasonic actuator  19  to adjust a standing wave frequency such that the coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18  increases, the processor  45  may progressively provide signals to the player that the player feature is progressively moving away from the target interface element  1302 . 
     Accordingly, in addition to providing audio and visual prompts to guide a player, the processor  45  may guide a player using haptic feedback. By increasing or decreasing the perceived textured resistance, for example, on the touchscreen surface  18  detected by the player feature, the processor  45  may guide a player feature toward a target interface element  1302 . 
     Identifying Textured Interface Elements 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 14  which illustrates a game interface  1400  on a display  12  of an EGM  10 . The display  12  may be a touchscreen having a touchscreen surface  18 . The EGM  10  may be of the type described above with reference to  FIG. 1 or 5  or a variation of such an electronic display. For example, the processor  45  may provide the game interface  1400  to a display  12  and a player may view the game interface  1400  from the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     When the game interface  1400  is displayed on the display (e.g., viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 ), the processor  45  may provide two or more selectable interface elements  1420 ,  1422 ,  1424 ,  1432 ,  1434 ,  1436 ,  1438 . Each of the selectable interface elements may be associated with a touchscreen surface portion on the touchscreen surface  18 . In some embodiments, each of the selectable interface elements  1420 ,  1422 ,  1424  may, for example, be visually distinguishable from each other. 
     In some embodiments, even though each of the selectable interface elements  1420 ,  1422 ,  1424  may be visually distinguishable from another of the selectable interface elements  1420 ,  1422 ,  1424 , a player may be unable to visually determine which of the selectable interface elements  1420 ,  1422 ,  1424  may be associated with a desired outcome. For example, in some embodiments, the game may require that a player feature locate the selectable interface elements having the roughest or smoothest texture, but the visual appearance of the selectable interface elements  1420 ,  1422 ,  1424  may not provide any clues as to which of the selectable interface elements may have the roughest or smoothest texture. Accordingly, as in the example illustrated with reference to  FIG. 14 , the processor  45  may require that a player feature interact with the game using the provided simulated textures on the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In another embodiment, when the game interface  1400  is displayed on the display  12  (e.g., viewable from the touchscreen surface  18 ), the processor  45  may provide two or more selectable interface elements  1432 ,  1434 ,  1436 ,  1438  that may not be displayed on the display  12 . That is, the game may require that the player feature find hidden prizes. Based on detected location of a player feature contacting the touchscreen surface  18 , the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  for simulating different textures on the touchscreen surface  18 . The processor  45  may not provide visual representations of selectable interface elements representing the simulated textures. The processor  45  may prompt the user to search for selectable interface elements  1432 ,  1434 ,  1436 ,  1438  based on textures simulated on the touchscreen surface  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  45  may track player gaming behaviour to ensure responsible game playing. For example, the processor  45  may determine whether one or more irresponsible gaming conditions are found to exist. The processor  45  may determine the presence of an irresponsible gaming condition based on historical data regarding the player&#39;s game play. For example, the processor  45  may monitor the duration of a gaming session and, if the duration exceeds a threshold, the processor  45  may determine that an irresponsible gaming condition exists. In some embodiments, the processor  45  may determine whether a player&#39;s loss during a game session exceeds a threshold and, if so, the processor  45  may determine that an irresponsible gaming condition exists. When one or more irresponsible gaming conditions are found to exist, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a simulated texture detectable from the touchscreen surface  18  for discouraging or for annoying the player feature. For example, in a discouraging mode, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuators  19  to provide an undesirable friction feedback effect on the touchscreen surface  18 . The undesirable friction feedback effect may be provided by simulating a high coefficient of friction between the player feature and the touchscreen surface  18 . That is, the player feature may detect a harsh, gritty or rough sandpaper-like texture. Alternatively, the player may detect a combination of gritty textures and varying texture frequency. Accordingly, as the processor  45  determines that a player may be engaging in potentially irresponsible gaming behaviour, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide haptic feedback indicating that the processor  45  may have identified irresponsible behaviour and that the player may consider alternative gaming behaviour. 
     In some embodiments, a friction feedback effect may be provided based on the outcome or history of gameplay on the electronic gaming machine  10 . For example, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a rewarding friction feedback effect in response to detecting a win. The rewarding positive feedback effect may have a pattern and/or intensity that are appealing or enthusiastic to a user. By way of example, short reoccurring textures may be provided to trigger feelings of excitement. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide a losing tactile feedback effect in response to determining that the output of the gameplay is a loss. For example, in response to detecting a loss, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuators to provide a friction feedback effect that may be unenthusiastic. The losing friction feedback effect may be different than the rewarding friction feedback effect provided in response to a win. The processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuators  19  to provide a friction feedback effect that may not be pleasurable to the player or user. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuators  19  to provide a first friction feedback effect to indicate when an interface element may be enabled. Further, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuators  19  to provide a second friction feedback effect to indicate when an interface element may be disabled. For example, a game interface may include a “Call Attendant” interface element. When a player contacts the “Call Attendant” interface element, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide the first friction feedback effect indicating that a request has been sent to casino staff. A player may, however, want to cancel the request and may subsequently contact the “Call Attendant” interface element again. In response, the processor  45  may control the ultrasonic actuator  19  to provide the second friction feedback effect indicating that the request has been cancelled. 
     The various methods or processes outlined herein may be coded as software that is executable on one or more processors that employ any one of a variety of operating systems or platforms. Additionally, such software may be written using any of a number of suitable programming languages and/or programming or scripting tools, and also may be compiled as executable machine language code or intermediate code that is executed on a framework or virtual machine. 
     In this respect, the enhancements to game components may be embodied as a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium (or multiple computer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memory, one or more floppy discs, compact discs (CD), optical discs, digital video disks (DVD), magnetic tapes, flash memories, circuit configurations in Field Programmable Gate Arrays or other semiconductor devices, or other non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage media) encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more computers or other processors, perform methods that implement the various embodiments discussed above. The computer readable medium or media can be transportable, such that the program or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one or more different computers or other processors to implement various aspects as discussed above. As used herein, the term “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” encompasses only a computer-readable medium that can be considered to be a manufacture (i.e., article of manufacture) or a machine. 
     The terms “program” or “software” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executable instructions that can be employed to program a computer or other processor to implement various aspects of the present invention as discussed above. Additionally, it should be appreciated that according to one aspect of this embodiment, one or more computer programs that when executed perform methods as described herein need not reside on a single computer or processor, but may be distributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computers or processors to implement various aspects. 
     Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. 
     Also, data structures may be stored in computer-readable media in any suitable form. For simplicity of illustration, data structures may be shown to have fields that are related through location in the data structure. Such relationships may likewise be achieved by assigning storage for the fields with locations in a computer-readable medium that conveys relationship between the fields. However, any suitable mechanism may be used to establish a relationship between information in fields of a data structure, including through the use of pointers, tags or other mechanisms that establish relationship between data elements. 
     Various aspects of the present game enhancements may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications.