U.S. patent application number 11/225827 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for ergonomic gaming cabinet.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bally Gaming International, a Delaware Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert A. Luciano.
Application Number | 20060281559 11/225827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37452940 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060281559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luciano; Robert A. |
December 14, 2006 |
Ergonomic gaming cabinet
Abstract
A new ergonomic game cabinet with a unique layout is disclosed.
The gaming machine cabinet includes a display mounted nearly
vertically, combined with a player deck extending towards a player
having more space at a more useful angle than previously available.
The player deck will have open space usable by a player for small
items (wallets, purses, chips, etc.), a player device area
(typically buttons), and then a further area where a player can
rest their arms, wrists, or elbows and comfortably reach the player
device area. This further area may also be used for small player
items, such as chips, tickets, etc. In addition, the new cabinet
provides side panels on each side of the gaming machine cabinet
that creates a feeling of being "surrounded" by the game experience
due to reduced noise and visual distractions from nearby gaming
machines, other patrons, waitrons, and the like.
Inventors: |
Luciano; Robert A.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWN RAYSMAN MILLSTEIN FELDER & STEINER, LLP
1880 CENTURY PARK EAST
12TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
Bally Gaming International, a
Delaware Corporation
|
Family ID: |
37452940 |
Appl. No.: |
11/225827 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60685157 |
May 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3216 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/046 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine comprising: a cabinet comprising a top, bottom,
two opposite sides, and a front; said front comprising a display,
said display mounted substantially vertically; a first surface area
stably receivable for small person items between said display and
at least one player input device; a second surface area configured
to allow resting of an arm, elbow, or wrist, said second surface
area on an opposite side of said player input device as said first
surface area; where said cabinet houses gaming electronics and
logic to enable said player input device to be usable to play a
game whose outcome is at least partially based on a random
event.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 where said display is mounted from
0 degrees to 10 degrees from vertical.
3. The gaming machine of claim 1 where said display is mounted 4
degrees from vertical.
4. The gaming machine of claim 1 where said first surface area
comprises at least 6 inches from said display to said at least
player input device.
5. The gaming machine of claim 1 where said second surface area
further comprises a resilient bolster configured to allow resting
of an arm, elbow, or wrist thereon.
6. The gaming machine of claim 1 where said second surface extends
at least 3 inches beyond any player input devices.
7. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising side panels
extending outwardly from and on each side of said display.
8. A gaming machine with ergonomic design features comprising: a
cabinet comprising a top, bottom, two opposite sides, and a front;
said front comprising a display, said display mounted substantially
vertically; said front further comprising a player deck area
extending away from said display, said deck area comprising at
least one input device area, a first area between said input device
area and said display and a second area on the opposite side of
said input device area as said first area, said first and second
areas comprising substantially flat horizontal areas therein; where
said cabinet comprises operably disposed gaming components therein,
comprising said display and at least one input device in said input
device area, further comprising gaming machine logic operably
disposed in electronic components therein, configured to enable
play of a game whose outcome is based at least partially on a
random event.
9. The gaming machine of claim 8 where said display is mounted from
0 degrees to 10 degrees from vertical.
10. The gaming machine of claim 8 where said display is mounted 4
degrees from vertical.
11. The gaming machine of claim 8 where said first surface area
comprises at least 6 inches from said display to said at least
player input device.
12. The gaming machine of claim 8 where said second surface area
further comprises a resilient bolster.
13. The gaming machine of claim 8 where said second surface extends
at least 3 inches beyond any player input devices.
14. The gaming machine of claim 8 where said cabinet further
comprising side panels extending outwardly from and on each side of
said display.
15. A method providing an ergonomic gaming machine, the method
comprising: providing a cabinet comprising a top, bottom, two
opposite sides, and a front; providing said front with a display
mounted substantially vertically; providing said front with a
player deck extending outwardly relative to said display in a
substantially horizontal manner; using space provided by said
player deck to further provide a first area, a second area, and an
input device area between said first and second areas; providing
said cabinet with gaming components operably disposed therein,
including said display and said at least one input device, further
comprising gaming machine logic operably disposed therein,
configured to enable play of a game whose outcome is based at least
partially on a random event.
16. The gaming machine of claim 15 where said display is mounted
from 0 degrees to 10 degrees from vertical.
17. The gaming machine of claim 15 where said display is mounted 4
degrees from vertical.
18. The gaming machine of claim 15 where said first surface area
comprises a depth receivable for at least one of: drink containers;
wallets; chips; hand purses; or, ash trays.
19. The gaming machine of claim 15 where said cabinet further
comprising side panels extending outwardly from and on each side of
said display.
20. The gaming machine of claim 15 where said input area has no
input devices and forms a contiguous surface with said first and
second areas.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application 60/685,157, filed on May 27, 2005, the provisional
application explicitly incorporated in full into this
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains generally to gaming machine cabinets
found in establishments such as Nevada-style and Amerindian
casinos, Amerindian bingo halls, and the like. More particularly,
the present invention discloses a novel ergonomically designed
gaming machine.
[0004] 2. The Prior Art
[0005] Gaming machine cabinets have had certain traditional or
standard configurations, typically categorized as one of uprights,
slat tops, or bar tops. These machines are found in casinos,
Amerindian bingo halls, bars, and the like. Examples of upright
gaming cabinets with top boxes are seen in U.S. Design Pats.
D458,971 and D496,407. U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,875 shows an upright
style gaming cabinet which has been divided into a system component
box and a monitor box. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,914 shows a typical
slant top gaming machine combined with a top box. Bar top machines
typically have flat, or slightly upraised, upper surfaces where the
player views the screen looking down through a glass top or cover.
This allows for the constant cleaning needed in a bar environment,
as well as the need for waitrons and customers to reach over the
gaming machine for drinks, food, etc.
[0006] Upright cabinets have a main display device centered in the
upper body of the cabinet, below which is a player control area.
The control area is attached so as to slope down and forward from
the display area. The control area is just large enough for the
controls (usually a button deck), typically being 4''-6'' proud of
the display. Some uprights add a small bolster in front of the
control area continuing at a downward slope to providing some hand
support, but no arm support (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,896,
FIG. 2, or U.S. Pat. D450,094). This configuration requires the
player to sit either straight up or to lean back, away from the
gaming machine (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,166). A player sits
in an erect position with very little (or no) back support and no
arm support, with their arms and hands extended toward the control
area controls while assuming a "lean-back" posture. When this is
done for extended periods of time, player discomfort takes over and
a player may be induced to "take a break" from play in order to
stretch or relax. It is often at this juncture that a player will
assess his current situation and decide to leave a machine in favor
of another or to leave the casino altogether.
[0007] Slant top machines typically have a cabinet where the player
display area includes a video monitor such as a CRT or LCD display
that slants up and away from the player. The angle between
horizontal and the display started out around 15 degrees, and has
been moved gradually to about 30 degrees. The typical slant top
slot machine has a control area in front of the slanted display,
and often includes a molded single-level armrest that provides a
player with some wrist support. Players at such a machines sit in a
slumped forward position with their head and neck facing downward
(towards the slanted display), and wrists on the gaming machine.
When this is done for extended periods of time, player discomfort
in the shoulders and neck results and a player may be induced to
leave.
[0008] Gaming machines are usually positioned less than one foot
from adjacent machines. Some units are often closer together with
some installations using machines that actually touch one another.
Players are often distracted by the sound and images from nearby
games, which, if attractive enough, sometimes draw them away from
the game they are playing. These distractions serve to minimize
"seat time," the time a player spends playing a particular gaming
machine without interruption. In some cases, a player who has left
a slot machine is actually enticed to leave the casino or to
participate in another activity less profitable for the
establishment. In addition, the close proximately of the existing
game cabinets do not allow any form of security for personal
items.
[0009] Efforts to correct the shortcomings of existing gaming
machine designs have been limited to alternate foot arrangements
(e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,844) and alternate player input device
placement (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,166). There is further need
for improved ergonomics in gaming machines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0010] Disclosed herein is a gaming machine that has a novel
ergonomic cabinet design. The new design includes a monitor that is
substantially vertical (less than a 30 degree incline from absolute
vertical), combined with a player deck or player area that extends
outward from the cabinet's front. The player deck includes an area
for player input controls, space for smaller personal items, and
space for a player to comfortably rest their arms, elbows, or
wrists as the play games. The deck is configured to allow a player
to play games while leaning into the gaming machine (inclined
forward), if they choose. This is extremely novel compared to
existing cabinets with substantially upright displays, where a
player has to lean back (away from the machine) in order to shift
positions.
[0011] One embodiment of the player deck will be substantially
horizontal, but that is not a requirement. There are numerous ways
of providing an area that is usable to place small person items
which is not flat and may not be strictly horizontal when viewed
from the side. The ergonomic and useful player advantages may be
embodied in any design which provides a player area where small
items can be placed so that they are stable (won't roll onto the
floor). The stable area may comprise a portion of the player deck
instead of all of it.
[0012] In addition to the player deck having enough depth to
properly distance the player's eyes from the monitor and to allow
comfortable resting of body parts on the player deck, side panels
are provided that block peripheral vision and some noise. The side
panels may also be used to channel sound from the gaming machine,
further engulfing a player in the gaming experience.
[0013] The side panels and player deck also provide security for
personal items not previously found in gaming machines; it will no
longer be possible for a passerby to casual take personal items
from a player. To take a personal item on the player deck and
between the side panels, a potential thief is going to have to
directly confront the player. This will effectively discourage
subtle or passive thieving. Additional security is provided by
making it difficult for casual observers to discern players
entering PIN codes and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming cabinet in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of a gaming cabinet in accordance with
the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates display angle in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective and side view of a further
embodiment of a gaming cabinet in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates steps in providing a gaming cabinet in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
following description of the present invention is illustrative only
and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention
will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the
benefit of this disclosure.
[0020] Referring to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the
present invention is shown embodied in FIGS. 1 through 5. It will
be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and
as to details of the parts without departing from the novel
concepts disclosed herein. Methods may vary as to details,
partitioning, repetition, step inclusion, and the order of the
acts, without departing from the novel concepts disclosed
herein.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, the gaming machine cabinet 100
includes player control area 102 (shown as a button deck, but can
be any player input devices) with flat area or player deck 104.
Player deck 104 may be used for drinks, ashtrays, food and any
personal items that would be convenient to place in easy reach such
as wallets, money, gaming chips, or pocketbooks. Armrest 106, shown
as a stepped armrest, allows resting of arms, elbows and/or wrists
while maintaining finger access to player input devices 102,
players' possessions in player deck 104, and any other areas on or
near the frontal area of gaming machine 100. Armrest 106 may be any
configuration intended to enable comfortable resting of elbows,
forearms, and wrists, etc. Gaming machine 100 enables this novel
layout due to the space provided between the front of screen 114 to
the outer edge of armrest 106. In one embodiment this distance
measures approximately 24 inches, with almost 17 inches of that
space usable by a player (this includes player input area 102,
player deck 104, and armrest 106). In the embodiment shown the
areas are substantially flat, but other embodiments are fully
contemplated such as having armrest 106 at varying angles relative
to player deck 104, button deck 102 at varying angles relative to
player deck 104, and player deck 104 in any configuration that
provides the needed space to allow comfortable resting of arms,
elbows, or wrists on the player deck bolster or armrest while
interacting with the game input devices, and preferably allowing
placement of small person items. The player deck needs to have
enough depth to allow, and preferably encourage, a slightly forward
leaning position while using the gaming cabinet.
[0022] Also shown are typical gaming machine peripherals including
bill acceptor 120, printer 122, card reader 124, and player
tracking system and display 126 (preferably Bally Gaming And
Systems' iView.TM. product). These devices are placed so that a
player can see and, in most cases, operate them while resting
his/her arms and/or wrists on armrest 106 of cabinet 100. Any set
of gaming peripherals may be used with the gaming machine disclosed
herein; shown is one exemplar embodiment.
[0023] Above player deck 104 is large color display 114. In one
embodiment the display will be an DTV flat panel display having an
aspect ratio of 1 6.times.9, such as 32'' LCD display mounted in
landscape mode (positioned with its longer axis parallel to the
deck areas). The flat panel display is preferably a high resolution
LCD display, although lower resolutions may be used. Also
illustrated is touch screen 116. Any touch screen technology may be
used. The preferred embodiment of display 114 uses flat panel
display technology (any type of flat panel technology may be used),
as their use allows the gaming machine to have an overall depth,
front-to-back, similar to gaming machines already in use. This
gives the ergonomic cabinet described herein a footprint
approximately equal to gaming machines already on casino floors.
Although preferred, it is not required to make use of the ergonomic
designs disclosed herein.
[0024] A wide display using DTV's aspect ration of 1 6.times.9,
such as a 28'' LCD or 32'' LCD flat panel display, has several
advantages. It allows for simultaneous display of pay tables with
the normally sized game play displays, reducing the need for a
player to switch to help screens. A wide display can be logically
divided into two or more viewing areas that can be used for showing
different images. One viewing area will always include the primary
game while the others can include the aforementioned pay tables
and/or bonus games, player tracking information, special
promotions, or just entertaining visual sequences. A wide screen
also has the desirable trait of consuming significantly more of a
player's peripheral vision than a standard screen, reducing visual
distractions from the sides.
[0025] In one embodiment display 114 is slightly angled from
vertical. Looking now at FIG. 3, shown is gaming machine 300 with
top box 302 and substantially flat player deck area 306. Also shown
is angled display 304 (although shown with solid lines, the display
is behind the end panels of gaming machine 300). Angled display 304
is shown projected out of gaming machine 300 with its inclination
angle indicated by diamond 308. In one embodiment, the inclination
angle is set at 4 degrees. It is expected that the inclination
angle will typically be set from 0 degrees to 10 degrees, with most
embodiments between 4 and 7 degrees. The inclination angle helps
with anti-glare, as well as accommodating players having differing
torso lengths and the occasional player who plays while
standing.
[0026] This allows a player to rest their arms on the player deck
area and look slightly down at the screen while seated, the
inclination of the screen matching a natural inclination of the
head in a restful position with arms resting on the player deck.
This prevents neck and eye strain and makes it easy (comfortable)
to make use of the screen. The display is set back from the player
deck/control deck area at an ergonomically sound visual distance
which allows a player to lean slightly forward and be both
comfortable and completely immersed in the game. These factors all
help a player to tune-out distractions from any nearby activity,
such as a passing patrons and waitrons and nearby games.
[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, peripheral vision distractions are
further reduced by side panels or wings 118. Wings 118 help
visually enclose the player so they can be engulfed by the game
experience. In some embodiments wings 118 will be substantially
flat, while in other embodiments wing 118 will have an internal
dimension that encloses audio projection devices 120. In some
embodiments the speakers are mounted inside the gaming machine
cabinet 100 and one or more audio channels are used to carry the
sound to openings in the wings 118. In other embodiments additional
audio input devices (not shown) in the form of one or more
microphones and output devices in the form of speakers or similar
projection devices may be coupled to the gaming machine for the
purposes of actively canceling out distracting sounds from the
surrounding environment using "cone of silence," "beamed" sound or
wave cancellation techniques. For example, samples taken from
microphones positioned at various places on the cabinet 100 will be
analyzed along with sounds known to be emanating from the game
itself. Appropriate inverted signals will be issued from the sound
cancellation devices to help prevent auditory player
distractions.
[0028] Foot rest 110 is lower and flatter (7 to 10 degrees) than on
existing gaming machine cabinets, promoting a forward leaning
position rather than the typical backward lean of traditional
upright gaming machines (traditional upright gaming machine
footrests are angled around 25 degrees). In some embodiments, the
foot rest 110 is illuminated for safety and security. An
illuminated graphic area 112 may also be provided below armrest 106
providing enhanced security for items the player may position near
her/his feet.
[0029] Continuing on with FIG. 2, shown is a schematic top view of
gaming cabinet 200. 202 is the top of the cabinet, and 206
represents the monitor inside the cabinet. The player input deck or
input area is area 214, with a first deck or player area generally
indicted by 218, and a second player deck or player area generally
indicated by 220. The entire deck is indicated as player deck 210,
with cupholder 212 in player area 218. Bolster or armrest 216 is
expected to be a resilient, firm but pliable molding attached to
the front of player deck 210 and being a part of player deck 210.
Molding 208 (one on each side, as shown) is designed to contain
bill acceptors, ticket printers/readers, players card readers, and
similar I/O devices. Bezel 204 is designed to help draw a player's
attention to the screen, in one embodiment being black and sloped
from the outer edge of the cabinet to the edge of screen.
[0030] The top view of gaming machine cabinet 200 illustrates one
aspect of the novel layout of the cabinet. Screen 206 is mounted
vertically or at a slight angle, and is set back from the outer
edge of bolster 216 by a substantial distance. In one embodiment,
this distance is approximately 24'', with the player deck (with
bolster) being approximately 17'' in depth. This novel arrangement,
including a vertical or near-vertical screen with a player's deck
having substantial distance between the screen and the edge of the
bolster, provides significant ergonomic improvements for
players.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a gaming machine in
accordance with this disclosure. Shown is optional top box 400.
Side panels or wings 402 are shown in a slim embodiment. These do
not enclose sound projection devices, as disclosed in FIG. 1.
Screen bezel 404 helps draw attention to the screen by being a dark
color and being slanted in towards the screen from wing 402.
Preferably all four sides of the screen will have similarly
designed bezels.
[0032] Player deck 406 is molded as a single piece, including the
upward extending portion near the screen enclosing player input
devices such as bill acceptors, ticket printers/readers, player
card readers, and the like. Player deck 406 then becomes
substantially flat, extended away from the screen to the outer edge
of the molded bolster. The substantially flat section is preferably
12'' or longer.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates novel aspects of the cabinet disclosed
herein. Box 500 corresponds to the actions necessary to provide a
wide screen display in the upper portion of a gaming cabinet,
operably connected to internal logic devices to allow game play
thereon. Included in the actions is mounting the wide screen with 0
to 10 degrees of tilt from vertical; one embodiment has 4-5 degrees
of tilt. The screen is preferably an LCD high resolution display
having an aspect ration of 16.times.9, from 27''-32''. The area
around the screen is preferably a bezel, dark or black in color or
backlit with colored lights pulsing towards the center, and slanted
in towards the display from the edges of the mount area (sides,
top, and bottom of the cabinet where the display is mounted).
[0034] Continuing with box 502, the cabinet is to provide, in front
of the mounted display, an area that is designed to allow placement
of small person items. It is intended that this area allow a person
to place an item or items such as a wallet, chips, small handbag,
coins, cards, bills, tickets, players cards, or a drink in front of
them on the gaming machine cabinet. In one embodiment this will be
a mostly flat area between the player inputs and the screen bezel
area, from 4''-10'' deep. However, other configurations are fully
contemplated, including without limitation providing additional
depth, and/or forming a player deck area that is tilted towards a
center area to guide spilled drinks, has a central flat area
surrounded by a run-off area, or other configurations as
functionally needed or as desired to create visual interest.
[0035] Moving into box 504, a gaming machine cabinet according to
the present disclosure will be configured with a bolster or armrest
at the outer edge of the player deck area. In one embodiment, the
bolster will have more than one step or level (be multi-tiered), so
that when resting an arm on the player deck, there is more than one
contact point on which to rest, or, the player input devices are
placed higher than the bolster so that a player's wrist does not
need to twist as much to reach buttons, levers, etc. In another
embodiment, the player deck area will be essentially flat and the
edges of the player deck will have a resilient material attached
thereon, to make a soft or compliant surface on with to rest
elbows, arms, or wrists. A preferred embodiment is to further
configure the player deck area so that a player may sit comfortably
in a slightly forward leaning manner.
[0036] Continuing into box 506, also provided are side panels or
wings which, in addition to purely decorative aspects, may also be
configured to provide added privacy and visual focus. Visual focus
is enabled by cutting off peripheral vision. When the player is
seated in a slightly forward leaning position, the wings help cut
off peripheral vision by extending visual cut-off past the ends of
the main cabinet to the ends (edges) of the wings. Coupled with the
overall cabinet design disclosed herein, a player may have most of
their field of vision, including all their primary vision and most
of their peripheral vision, enclosed by the cabinet. This enables
greater focus on the game, and provides a feeling of privacy to a
player. It also makes it significantly more difficult for
passer-bys to see what the player is doing, including entering PINs
for cards or similar activities. In addition, any personal items
place on the player deck will be almost completely protected by the
player's body, coupled with the wings. It would be difficult for
another patron to walk off with any possession on the player's
deck. In another embodiment, the side panels will further have
slidable, extendable panels or curtains. This will enable a player
to cut off their peripheral vision almost entirely, and will
further protect their privacy and personal items from causal
snatchers.
[0037] As used herein, "player controls," "input controls," "input
devices" and similar phrases refer to the controls a player will
use while playing a game of chance (poker, reels, bingo, keno,
etc.). This will typically be a button deck or button area located
on a portion of the player deck, having one or more buttons used
for on-going game play. Any type of player input devices are
contemplated in combination with the player deck of the presently
disclosed cabinet. This explicitly includes embodiments where the
player controls may be touchscreen technologies on the main
display, and where it is possible to have the ergonomic gaming
cabinet disclosed herein having a player deck with no player input
devices.
[0038] Although the description above contains certain specificity,
the described embodiments should not be construed to indicate the
scope of the invention; the descriptions given are providing an
illustration of certain preferred embodiments of the invention. The
scope of this invention is determined by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
* * * * *