U.S. patent application number 10/226972 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for gaming machine having a distributed mode acoustic radiator.
Invention is credited to Gauselmann, Michael.
Application Number | 20040038722 10/226972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31887365 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040038722 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gauselmann, Michael |
February 26, 2004 |
Gaming machine having a distributed mode acoustic radiator
Abstract
A transducer is affixed to the rear side of a display panel of a
gaming machine so as to vibrate the glass and transmit sound to the
player. In one embodiment, the transducer and panel form a
distributed mode acoustic radiator, where sound is produced from
the vibration of the panel due to resonant bending wave modes.
Inventors: |
Gauselmann, Michael;
(Espelkamp, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT LAW GROUP LLP
2635 NORTH FIRST STREET
SUITE 223
SAN JOSE
CA
95134
US
|
Family ID: |
31887365 |
Appl. No.: |
10/226972 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3202 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming machine comprising: at least one display panel in the
gaming machine, a front surface of the display panel having printed
on it information for a player; and at least one transducer mounted
to a back surface of at least one display panel so as to impart
vibration to the display panel and create an acoustic signal
audible to the player.
2. The machine of claim 1 further comprising: an amplifier coupled
to the transducer for applying excitation signals to the transducer
to cause the transducer to vibrate, wherein the at least one
display panel sustains and propagates input vibrational energy from
the transducer by a plurality of resonant bending wave modes in an
area extending transversely of a thickness of the at least one
display panel, wherein frequencies of the resonant bending wave
modes are interleaved in a predetermined frequency range so that
resonant bending wave modes are substantially evenly distributed in
frequency, and wherein the transducer is mounted at a location on
the at least one display panel for coupling to the resonant bending
wave modes so as to vibrate the at least one display panel and
excite the resonant bending wave modes in the at least one display
panel, the resonant bending wave modes in turn producing an
acoustic output.
3. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one transducer and
the at least one display panel form a distributed mode acoustic
radiator, where sound is produced from vibration of the at least
one display panel due to resonant bending wave modes.
4. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one transducer
comprises a magnet assembly and a wire coil assembly, wherein the
magnet assembly is rigidly affixed to the at least one display
panel, and wherein the coil assembly is resiliently affixed to the
at least one display panel.
5. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one transducer
comprises a magnet assembly and a wire coil assembly, wherein the
coil assembly is rigidly affixed to the at least one display panel,
and wherein the magnet assembly is resiliently affixed to the at
least one display panel.
6. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a game display for
displaying a game to the player.
7. The machine of claim 6 wherein the game display comprises a
video screen.
8. The machine of claim 6 wherein the game display comprises motor
driven reels.
9. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one display panel is
formed of plastic.
10. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one display panel
comprises one panel.
11. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one display panel
comprises two panels.
12. The machine of claim 1 wherein there are multiple transducers
mounted on a single display panel.
13 The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one display panel
has printed on it information regarding a game played on the gaming
machine.
14. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one display panel
has printed on it pay tables for a game played on the gaming
machine.
15. A method of generating sound in a gaming machine, the machine
having at least one display panel, a front surface of the display
panel having printed on it information for a player, the method
comprising: applying excitation signals to at least one transducer
mounted to a back surface of the at least one display panel so as
to impart vibration to the at least one display panel and create an
acoustic signal audible to the player.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein applying excitation signals
comprises applying excitation signals to the transducer to cause
the transducer to vibrate, wherein the at least one display panel
sustains and propagates input vibrational energy from the
transducer by a plurality of resonant bending wave modes in an area
extending transversely of a thickness of the at least one display
panel, wherein frequencies of the resonant bending wave modes are
interleaved in a predetermined frequency range so that resonant
bending wave modes are substantially evenly distributed in
frequency, and wherein the transducer is mounted at a location on
the at least one display panel for coupling to the resonant bending
wave modes so as to vibrate the at least one display panel and
excite the resonant bending wave modes in the at least one display
panel, the resonant bending wave modes in turn producing an
acoustic output.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one transducer and
the at least one display panel form a distributed mode acoustic
radiator, where sound is produced from vibration of the at least
one display panel due to resonant bending wave modes.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to gaming machines and, in
particular, to the audio portion of the gaming machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Prior art gaming machines, such as slot machines, frequently
provide sound effects to add excitement to the play of a game. Such
sound effects may include a melody while a game is being played and
various sounds based upon the outcome of the game. One such slot
machine displays either mechanical or video rotating reels with
symbols on the reels' peripheries. The reels are randomly stopped
using a pseudo-random number generator, and the combination of
displayed symbols determines the award paid to the player. Such
gaming machines incorporate a conventional speaker coupled to an
audio amplifier. Stored digital sound effects are converted into
analog signals, amplified, and applied to the speaker. The speaker
is typically mounted at an opening in the slot machine, and a grill
over the opening protects the delicate diaphragm of the
speaker.
[0003] Such speakers, if mounted on the front of the slot machine,
use some front surface area. It is desirable that this surface area
used by the speaker(s) be kept to a minimum so that the front
surface area can be used for displaying the game itself and to
maximize the display glass that explains the pay table and
advertises the game. Accordingly, the speakers are desirably
small.
[0004] Speakers are also installed on the side wall of the machine,
but this placement is not optimal for sound.
[0005] Accordingly, the sound produced by prior art gaming machines
is of generally low quality.
SUMMARY
[0006] A transducer is affixed to the rear side of the display
panel of a gaming machine so as to vibrate the glass and transmit
sound to the player. The resiliency of the display panel may be
optimized to better conduct the sound waves. In one embodiment, the
display panel is formed of plastic instead of glass.
[0007] In one embodiment, the transducer and panel form a
distributed mode acoustic radiator, where sound is produced from
the vibration of the panel due to resonant bending wave modes.
[0008] Thus, the invention provides quality sound to the player
without using any additional surface area for mounting a speaker.
The sound quality may be improved by mounting a woofer in the
gaming machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional slot machine
except that a vibration transducer is mounted on the back surface
of a display panel.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic functional units
within the gaming machine of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates the back surface of a display panel
having affixed to it a vibration transducer.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one particular vibration
transducer having its coil assembly rigidly affixed to the display
panel.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one particular vibration
transducer having its magnet assembly rigidly affixed to the
display panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional video slot
machine, although the invention may be used in slot machines having
motor driven reels or in any other type of gaming machine. Machine
10 includes a display screen 12, which may be a CRT, an LCD, a thin
film transistor (TFT) display, or any other type of screen.
Alternatively, display screen 12 may simply be a transparent window
through which motor driven reels are viewed.
[0015] Buttons 13 control the play of the game. Such buttons may
include a bet button, spin reels button, cash out button, and any
other buttons for controlling the game. If the game is a poker
game, then the buttons include hold and deal buttons. If display
screen 12 is a touch-screen, the player would touch areas on the
screen to make a selection rather than press buttons.
[0016] A coin slot 14 receives coins, and an additional slot 15
receives bills, magnetic strip cards, smart cards, or paper tickets
in order to generate credits in machine 10. A coin tray 16 receives
the coins paid out by machine 10 in the event of a win or upon the
player cashing out. Credits may also be paid via magnetic strip
cards, smart cards or paper tickets.
[0017] A bottom display panel 18 typically has printed on it the
name of the machine, and upper display panel 19 typically has
printed on it a pay table identifying the amounts to be paid for
various symbol combinations obtained during the game. Panels 18,19
may be glass or plastic.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of various functional units within
the gaming machine 10 of FIG. 1. A CPU 20 runs a gaming program
stored in a program ROM 22. A player input block 24 includes any
coin/credit detector and player selection buttons. A pay table ROM
26 detects the outcome of the game and identifies awards to be paid
to the player. A payout device 28 pays out the award in the form of
coins or credits. The payout may be in the form of credits on a
smart card or magnetic strip card, a coded paper ticket, or in any
other form. A display controller 30 receives commands from CPU 20
and generates signals for the display screen 12.
[0019] FIG. 2 also illustrates an audio amplifier 36, typically
receiving signals from a sound card. The sound card receives
digital signals from CPU 20, generates analog signals, and
amplifies the analog signals. The output of the audio amplifier 36
is coupled to a transducer 38 affixed to the back of display panel
18 or 19. Transducer 38 can be a conventional audio frequency
transducer that normally displaces a cone type diaphragm or may be
the type that forms a distributed mode radiator, described
below.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the back surface of display panel 18 or
19 having a transducer 38 affixed to its back surface. Multiple
transducers 38' and 38" may be used. Transducer 38, in response to
the signal from amplifier 36, vibrates and imparts this vibration
to the display panel 18,19 to produce sound. The player thus hears
a sound emanating from the entire display panel 18,19. The sound
has fairly uniform dispersion. The thickness, size, and material of
display panel 18,19 are chosen for the best sound reproduction. The
display panels 18,19 may be formed of glass or a polymer such as
Perspex.TM. (an acrylic).
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one type of transducer
38 that may be used. Transducer 38 comprises a wire coil 42 fixed
to a wall of a cylindrical coil former 44 by means of a rigid
adhesive. The ends of the coil 42 are connected to amplifier 36 in
FIG. 3. The coil former 44 is rigidly attached to the back surface
of display panel 18 or 19 by an adhesive 40, which may be epoxy or
other type of rigid adhesive. A bracket may also be used for
simplifying manufacturing.
[0022] A magnet 46 is sandwiched between two metal plates 48 and 49
having high magnetic permeability, such as plates containing iron
or nickel. The top plate 49 is resiliently secured to display panel
18 or 19 by means of a resilient suspension 52 such as rubber. In
one embodiment, the resilient suspension is an O-ring affixed to
both the display panel 18,19 and the top plate 49 by an adhesive.
The magnetic assembly, comprising magnet 46 and plates 48 and 49,
thus moves in a direction normal to the surface of display panel
18,19 due to the magnetic fields created by coil 42 when energized
by a signal. The movement of the magnetic assembly causes a bending
of the display panel 18,19 to set up resonating waves in the
display panel 18,19. These waves displace air, causing sound to
emanate from the display panel 18,19.
[0023] One transducer 38 that may be used is referred to as an
inertial vibration transducer available from New Transducers
Limited in the United Kingdom. Speakers using such transducers are
sold by New Transducers Limited under the name NXT.TM.. Such
transducers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,192,136; 6,003,766;
6,342,831; and 6,332,029, all incorporated herein by reference, as
well as in other patents.
[0024] Each display panel 18 and 19 may have its own separate
transducer(s).
[0025] Mid and high audio frequencies are fairly directional. In
the prior art, the mid and high audio frequencies output from the
conventional speakers had to be directed toward the player's head
by proper placement of the speakers in order to create the
desirable audio effect. Using the display panel as a resonator
causes the sound to emanate in all directions, so the player hears
all the frequencies generated. Since the low audio frequencies are
not efficiently generated using a resonant mode technique, a
conventional woofer or sub-woofer may also be incorporated into
machine 10 for low frequencies. Since low frequencies are not
directional, the location of the woofer does not affect the sound
quality.
[0026] In other embodiments, the magnetic assembly of the
transducer 38 is rigidly affixed to the display panel 18,19, and
the coil assembly is moveable with respect to the display panel
18,19. FIG. 5 illustrates such an embodiment where the magnetic
assembly, comprising a magnet 60 and metal plates 62,63, are
rigidly affixed to display panel 18,19. Coil 64 is encased in a
rigid material and is resiliently held in place with respect to
magnet 60 to allow coil 64 to move relative to magnet 60 when
signals are applied to coil 64 by amplifier 36. The relative
movements of the magnet 60 and coil 64 impart a vibration to
display panel 18,19 to generate sound waves.
[0027] The signals used to energize the coil in transducer 38 move
the magnet with respect to the coil on the order of 40 microns,
barely bending the display panel 18,19, but creating a series of
bending waves that travel in all directions. The amount of
deflection and the excitation signal depend on the sound to be
generated. The bending waves reflect from the edges of the panel
18,19 at different angles and at different speeds to create a
chaotic mass of crossing bending waves that form the modes that
produce the sound. Accordingly, the generation of sound is based
upon resonances produced by the display panel 18,19. The resonant
bending causes the display panel 18,19 to be displaced by greater
than 40 microns, thus producing audible sound.
[0028] Using the language of U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,831, the panel
18,19 sustains and propagates the input vibrational energy from
transducer 38 by a plurality of resonant bending wave modes in an
area extending transversely of the thickness of the panel 18,19,
wherein the frequencies of the resonant bending wave modes are
interleaved in a predetermined frequency range so that resonant
bending wave modes are substantially evenly distributed in
frequency, and wherein the transducer 38 is mounted at a location
on the panel 18,19 for coupling to the resonant bending wave modes
so as to vibrate the panel 18,19 and excite the resonant bending
wave modes in the panel 18,19, the resonant bending wave modes in
turn producing an acoustic output.
[0029] In one embodiment, the display panel 18,19 comprises a rigid
center portion sandwiched between two thin sheets. The center
portion may be of a honeycomb or foam construction, and the thin
sheets may be plastic, on the order of 1 mm or less. The panel may
be supported around its periphery by a resilient material such as
foam. The transducer is mounted within the center portion so as to
contact and vibrate one of the thin sheets.
[0030] Techniques for generating driving signals for the transducer
38 are known, and further information may be obtained from New
Transducers Limited, from the Internet, and from the
above-identified patents. The patents by New Transducers Limited,
identified above, teach shapes, stiffnesses, and other aspects of
the transducer and resonator that are applicable to the present
invention.
[0031] Accordingly, a display panel in a slot machine is
transformed into a resonant mode panel by affixing a transducer to
the back of the display panel and supplying suitable signals to the
coil of the transducer. The display panel 18,19 may have any type
of printing thereon. Various audio effects are achievable that
could not be achieved with conventional speakers.
[0032] Alternatively, a more conventional sound transducer may have
its moveable coil affixed to the back of the display panel and its
magnet assembly affixed to the housing of the slot machine. The
transducer is supplied with conventional analog signals to vibrate
at the audio frequencies to be reproduced to simply vibrate the
display panel 18,19 as a conventional diaphragm of a speaker.
However, the resonant mode of operation is preferred in this
particular use.
[0033] While particular embodiments of the present invention 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 and,
therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit
and scope of this invention.
* * * * *