Patent ID: 6942571

Claim:
An enhanced mechanical reel gaming system utilizing a touch panel as a user control device for mechanical reel assemblies and game play features, the system comprising: a gaming machine assembly utilizing mechanical reels as display devices; a touch sensor assembly utilizing a substantially transparent touch panel that produces touch data when activated, and wherein the touch panel provides viewing of the mechanical reels through the touch panel; a reel-compatible touch panel controller that registers and interprets the touch data from the touch panel in real time, wherein the reel-compatible touch panel controller registers the touch data in real time and operates at a level that is sufficient to support mechanical reel control; and touch panel reel software that interprets and utilizes the touch data received from the touch panel controller in real time and operates at a level that is sufficient to support mechanical reel control; wherein the touch panel reel software communicates the touch data to a reel controller that manipulates the mechanical reels in accordance with the touch data received; and wherein the touch panel enables a user control of reel spin direction and reel spin speed in correspondence with the direction and speed in which the touch panel is touched by the user.