U.S. patent application number 16/150543 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-04 for physical button for touch screen.
The applicant listed for this patent is BLUBERI GAMING CANADA INC.. Invention is credited to Eric BEAUDOIN, Andre LAPALME, Yvan PARADIS.
Application Number | 20190102969 16/150543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65898009 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190102969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAPALME; Andre ; et
al. |
April 4, 2019 |
PHYSICAL BUTTON FOR TOUCH SCREEN
Abstract
A control button for installation on a touchscreen display
responding upon contact of an electrical conductor. The control
button comprises a central portion comprising a touch sensitive
component which has an electrical characteristic changed when
touched by a user, and a body comprising electrical contacts and
biasing device. The control button adopts at least one of a
non-conducting position and a conducting position, whereby the
biasing device biases the control button toward the non-conducting
position. Upon pressure being applied by a user over the central
portion, the control button moves from the non-conducting position
until the control button reaches the conducting position, whereby
in the conducting position an electrical circuit is completed from
the touch sensitive component to the touchscreen display through
the electrical contacts. The control button is further mounted to a
gaming machine.
Inventors: |
LAPALME; Andre;
(Drummondville, CA) ; PARADIS; Yvan;
(Drummondville, CA) ; BEAUDOIN; Eric;
(Drummondville, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BLUBERI GAMING CANADA INC. |
Drummondville |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
65898009 |
Appl. No.: |
16/150543 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62567562 |
Oct 3, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G06F 3/0416 20130101; G06F 3/044 20130101; G07F 17/248 20130101;
G06F 3/0393 20190501; H05K 5/0017 20130101; G06F 3/0414 20130101;
G07F 17/3209 20130101; G07F 17/3216 20130101; G07F 17/3288
20130101; G06F 3/03547 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32; G06F 3/044 20060101 G06F003/044; G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 3/0354 20060101 G06F003/0354 |
Claims
1. A control button for installation on a touchscreen display
responding upon contact by an electrical conductor, the control
button comprising: a central portion comprising a touch sensitive
component having an electrical characteristic that changes upon
contact of a user's skin or by an electrical conductor; and a body
comprising electrical contacts and a biasing device; wherein the
control button adopts at least one of a non-conducting position and
a conducting position, whereby the biasing device biases the
control button toward the non-conducting position, and wherein,
upon pressure being applied by the user to the central portion, the
control button moves from the non-conducting position until the
control button reaches the conducting position, whereby in the
conducting position an electrical circuit is completed from the
touch sensitive component to the touchscreen display through the
electrical contacts.
2. The control button of claim 1, wherein the central portion is
translucent, whereby a portion of an image displayed on the
touchscreen display is visible through the central portion.
3. The control button of claim 2, further comprising a lens inset
in the body, wherein an image displayed by the touchscreen display
under the lens is transmitted through the lens and visible through
the central portion.
4. The control button of claim 1, wherein the central portion
comprises a contact surface to be contacted by the user, and
wherein the contact surface is flat.
5. The control button of claim 1, wherein the body is
ring-shaped.
6. The control button of claim 1, wherein the touch sensitive
component comprises a Surface Capacitive (SCAP) component.
7. The control button of claim 1, further comprising a clicker
generating a clicking sound upon the control button moving from the
non-conducting position to the conducting position thereby
confirming to the user that the touch screen responds to the user's
input.
8. The control button of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a
bottom face and an outer face, wherein the body comprise light
transmissive material connecting the bottom face to the outer face,
the light transmissive material transmitting light emitted by the
touchscreen display under the bottom face to the outer face.
9. The control button of claim 8, wherein the body further
comprises an inner face, wherein the inner face comprises an opaque
surface.
10. A gaming machine comprising: a gaming machine cabinet housing a
processor; a memory functionally connected to the processor,
wherein the memory stores data processable as a wagering game
comprising steps comprising receiving player inputs, selecting an
outcome among potential outcomes and generating visuals associated
with the outcome; a first display connected to the processor to
display at least part of the visuals; a touchscreen display
connected to the processor, the touchscreen display comprising a
display surface for displaying images and a touch sensitive
component responding upon contact of an electrical conductor; and a
control button mounted to the display surface of the touchscreen
display, comprising a translucent central portion through which at
least part of the images displayed by the touchscreen display are
visible to the player, and a body surrounding the central portion,
wherein pressure applied by the player over the control button
generates an input signal transmitted to the processor through the
touchscreen display.
11. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the display surface of
the touchscreen display comprises an input portion free from the
control button, wherein the input portion is adapted to be directly
contacted by the player to generate another input signal.
12. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the processor
interprets the input signal and the other signal as different
inputs resulting in different processes.
13. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the control button
comprises a touch sensitive component which has an electrical
characteristic changed when contacted by the player.
14. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the body of the control
button further comprises an electrical contact, wherein an
electrical circuit is completed from the touch sensitive component
to the touchscreen display through the electrical contact.
15. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the control button is
able to adopt a non-conducting position and a conducting position,
and wherein the electrical contact further comprises an electrical
interface contacting the touchscreen display only when the control
button is in the conducting position.
16. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the control button
comprises a Surface Capacitive (SCAP) component.
17. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the control button
comprises biasing means responding to pressure applied by the
player over the control button, wherein the pressure results in the
control button passing from a non-conducting position to a
conducting position.
18. The gaming machine of claim 17, further comprising a clicker
generating a clicking sound upon the control button passing from
the non-conducting position to the conducting position.
19. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the gaming machine
further comprises a lens inset in the body of the control button,
wherein an image displayed by the touchscreen display under the
lens is transmitted through the lens and visible through the
central portion.
20. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a
bottom face and an outer face, and wherein the body comprise light
transmissive material connecting the bottom face to the outer face,
the light transmissive material transmitting light emitted by the
touchscreen display under the bottom face to the outer face.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application 62/567,562 filed Oct. 3, 2017, the specification
of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
(a) Field
[0002] The subject matter herein disclosed generally relates to
wagering game machines. More particularly, the subject matter
disclosed relates to control components in wagering game
machines.
(b) Related Prior Art
[0003] The purpose of indicia on paper is to convey information.
While this is also true for visual effects in wagering game
machines, images and indicia displayed by a wagering game's display
device have the additional extremely important purpose of providing
or increasing entertainment for the player. If some players are not
entertained, they will not play on a wagering game machine. Also,
more recently, players have come to expect more entertainment from
wagering game devices, for example, those having video displays
rather than the older mechanical displays.
[0004] Since one of the primary purposes of a wagering game machine
is to provide entertainment, there is a major challenge for gaming
device manufacturers to develop new games that provides increased
entertainment. Players are entertained not only by the risk of a
wager but also by attractive, engaging, interesting, fun, new and
different visual, audio, and audio-visual effects. For those
reasons, the gaming industry is constantly seeking to make
advancements in games and in the devices and components on which
are played these games. If one views a wagering game machine as
only a wagering mechanism, the display or graphical aspect of the
wagering game machine may appear to have little value. However, by
remembering that a wagering game machine is an entertainment device
as well as, or in addition to, a wagering device, the importance of
an interesting and exciting graphical display and the technical
challenges faced by gaming personnel to develop such displays
becomes apparent. Simultaneously, to maintain certain player's
interest in a wagering game machine for a significant period of
time, the games and the wagering game machines on which they run
must be highly interesting, entertaining, enjoyable and to minimize
fatigue.
[0005] There is therefore a need for continuous improvement and
development in the field of wagering game machines.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an embodiment, there is provided a control
button for installation on a touchscreen display responding upon
contact by an electrical conductor, the control button comprising:
a central portion comprising a touch sensitive component having an
electrical characteristic that changes upon contact of a user's
skin or by an electrical conductor; and a body comprising
electrical contacts and a biasing device; wherein the control
button adopts at least one of a non-conducting position and a
conducting position, whereby the biasing device biases the control
button toward the non-conducting position, and wherein, upon
pressure being applied by the user to the central portion, the
control button moves from the non-conducting position until the
control button reaches the conducting position, whereby in the
conducting position an electrical circuit is completed from the
touch sensitive component to the touchscreen display through the
electrical contacts.
[0007] According to an aspect, the central portion is translucent,
whereby a portion of an image displayed on the touchscreen display
is visible through the central portion.
[0008] According to an aspect, the control button further comprises
a lens inset in the body, wherein an image displayed by the
touchscreen display under the lens is transmitted through the lens
and visible through the central portion.
[0009] According to an aspect, the central portion comprises a
contact surface to be contacted by the user, and wherein the
contact surface is flat.
[0010] According to an aspect, the body is ring-shaped.
[0011] According to an aspect, the touch sensitive component
comprises a Surface Capacitive (SCAP) component.
[0012] According to an aspect, the control button further comprises
a clicker generating a clicking sound upon the control button
moving from the non-conducting position to the conducting position
thereby confirming to the user that the touch screen responds to
the user's input.
[0013] According to an aspect, the body comprises a bottom face and
an outer face, wherein the body comprise light transmissive
material connecting the bottom face to the outer face, the light
transmissive material transmitting light emitted by the touchscreen
display under the bottom face to the outer face.
[0014] According to an aspect, the body further comprises an inner
face, wherein the inner face comprises an opaque surface.
[0015] According to an embodiment, there is provided a gaming
machine comprising: a gaming machine cabinet housing a processor; a
memory functionally connected to the processor, wherein the memory
stores data processable as a wagering game comprising steps
comprising receiving player inputs, selecting an outcome among
potential outcomes and generating visuals associated with the
outcome; a first display connected to the processor to display at
least part of the visuals; a touchscreen display connected to the
processor, the touchscreen display comprising a display surface for
displaying images and a touch sensitive component responding upon
contact of an electrical conductor; and a control button mounted to
the display surface of the touchscreen display, comprising a
translucent central portion through which at least part of the
images displayed by the touchscreen display are visible to the
player, and a body surrounding the central portion, wherein
pressure applied by the player over the control button generates an
input signal transmitted to the processor through the touchscreen
display.
[0016] According to an aspect, the display surface of the
touchscreen display comprises an input portion free from the
control button, wherein the input portion is adapted to be directly
contacted by the player to generate another input signal.
[0017] According to an aspect, the processor interprets the input
signal and the other signal as different inputs resulting in
different processes.
[0018] According to an aspect, the control button comprises a touch
sensitive component which has an electrical characteristic changed
when contacted by the player.
[0019] According to an aspect, the body of the control button
further comprises an electrical contact, wherein an electrical
circuit is completed from the touch sensitive component to the
touchscreen display through the electrical contact.
[0020] According to an aspect, the control button is able to adopt
a non-conducting position and a conducting position, and wherein
the electrical contact further comprises an electrical interface
contacting the touchscreen display only when the control button is
in the conducting position.
[0021] According to an aspect, the control button comprises a
Surface Capacitive (SCAP) component.
[0022] According to an aspect, the control button comprises biasing
means responding to pressure applied by the player over the control
button, wherein the pressure results in the control button passing
from a non-conducting position to a conducting position.
[0023] According to an aspect, the control button further comprises
a clicker generating a clicking sound upon the control button
passing from the non-conducting position to the conducting
position.
[0024] According to an aspect, the gaming machine further comprises
a lens inset in the body of the control button, wherein an image
displayed by the touchscreen display under the lens is transmitted
through the lens and visible through the central portion.
[0025] According to an aspect, the body comprises a bottom face and
an outer face, and wherein the body comprise light transmissive
material connecting the bottom face to the outer face, the light
transmissive material transmitting light emitted by the touchscreen
display under the bottom face to the outer face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wagering game machine in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wagering game machine of FIG.
1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of the wagering game machine of FIGS.
1 and 2;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wagering game machine in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a front view of the wagering game machine of FIG.
4;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a side view of the wagering game machine of FIGS.
4 and 5;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a schematic of the components of a wagering game
machine in accordance with an embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps performed a wagering game
machine in accordance with an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a control button according
to an embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 10 a cross-section elevated view of the control button
of FIG. 9 along the line A-A;
[0037] FIG. 11 is an exploded top perspective view of the control
button of FIG. 9;
[0038] FIG. 12 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the
control button of FIG. 9;
[0039] FIG. 13 is a perspective top view of a portion of the body
of the control button of FIGS. 9-12; and
[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective bottom view of the body of the
control button of FIGS. 9-12.
[0041] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] In the present specification, the terms and expressions
"gambling", "gambling activities", "gaming activities", "wagering",
etc. are meant to refer to any process through which a player
places a wager, and according to an outcome generation and
evaluation process, a prize value is established and awarded to a
player.
[0043] The terms and expressions "player" and "patron" mean a
person engaged or potentially engaged in a gambling activity.
[0044] The terms and expressions "wagering game machine", "gaming
machine", "game machine", "gaming terminal", "gaming device", "game
device", "gaming table", "player station" etc. are meant to refer
to any device adapted to perform gambling services, such that a
player may be engaged in a gambling activity through that
device.
[0045] The term and expressions "game" in relation with gambling
activities refers to the presentation of the gambling activity to a
player, or interaction in a gaming activity with one or more
players. The game may be an instant game that may be resolved
instantly, a multi-player game where many players are involved in
the gaming activity and wherein the actions of a player may
influence the outcome provided to another player, or a game
featuring some similar or different characteristics that results in
the game fulfilling the above gambling definition.
[0046] The terms "monetary value" mean any value exchangeable for
goods and services.
[0047] The terms "medium" and "media", in relation with monetary
value, are meant to encompass any physical or electronic support
for monetary values.
[0048] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1 to 6, two embodiments of wagering game machines 10, 110 are
illustrated.
[0049] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3 and additionally to
FIG. 7, the wagering game machine 10 comprises a gaming machine
cabinet 30 having a front 302, a back 304 and sides 308. The
wagering game machine 10 comprises a lower member 312 and an upper
member 314. The wagering game machine 10 houses hardware components
secured inside the gaming machine cabinet 30 in the lower member
312. The wagering game machine 10 also houses other hardware
components, mostly to the upper member 314, well secured to the
wagering game machine 10 with most of these hardware components
interfacing with the environment and the player.
[0050] Referring particularly to FIG. 7, the hardware components
housed by the lower member 312 comprise memory device 26
functionally connected to the processor 21, display device 22 and
input device 24 both also functionally connected to the processor
21. The memory device 26 is partially part of the gaming logic 29
of the wagering game machine 10. Removable media are considered
outside the game logic 29.
[0051] The processor 21 typically comprises a processing component
(a.k.a. a microprocessor) and associated In/Out circuit through
which signals are exchanged between the processor 21 and the
functionally connected hardware components.
[0052] The memory device 26 typically comprises program code memory
(e.g. hard drive, Read-Only Memory (ROM)) wherein code processable
to perform the wagering game are stored. Random Access Memory (RAM)
and optionally removable media are also present or temporarily
present in some embodiments. Example of optional removable media is
a player club card or other player identification device a hardware
component functionally connected to the processor 21 is capable of
reading upon insertion or use in relation with the wagering game
machine 10.
[0053] To play the wagering game, the memory stores data
processable as the wagering game comprising steps comprising
receiving player inputs, selecting an outcome among potential
outcomes and generating visuals associated with the outcome, and
the processor processes the data and inputs, generates visuals and
transmits the visuals to the displays and other output components
to provide the game to the players.
[0054] Additional optional components frequently present on a
wagering game machine 10 comprise accepting means 23, crediting
means 25 and identification means 27. The accepting means 23 is for
accepting monetary value from a player, that monetary value being
embodied as a bank note, an accepted value-bearing token of some
sort, or an electronic value transfer. The crediting means 25 is
for giving back monetary values to the player, the monetary value
being one or a combination of winnings from the game and credits
transferred in the game from which account the player desired to
perform a withdraw. Both accepting means 23 and crediting means 25
can in some embodiments be present in a plurality of forms, and as
a combination (e.g. a note reader and a printer, with the note
bearing information related to credit-value). The identification
means 27 is for identifying the player interacting with the
machine. In some embodiments, the identification means 27 is
embodied as a single component embodying both reading/detecting
function and displaying function. In other embodiments, the
identification means 27 takes advantage of components already
present in the wagering game machine 10, for example a card reader
and a display. Accordingly, the latter components are possible to
be embodied in a series of distinct ways based on desired
realizations, these components requiring functional characteristics
of player-interfacing components and specific processing. In some
cases, they require being in communication with systems remote to
the wagering to gaming machine 10.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the wagering to gaming machine 10
comprises a display device 22 comprising a main display 200 and an
edge display 220. The main display 200 is a typically a Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD display) and is mainly used to provide the
game, namely the information, the animation and the outcome
relative to the wagering game.
[0056] The wagering game played on the wagering game machine 10
consists in a random process through which an outcome is provided
to the player in exchange of a wager. The wagering game, in order
to optimize entertainment, comprises a variety of outcomes kept in
a pool of outcomes, including losing outcomes and winning outcomes,
and special outcomes. The outcomes are provided using animations,
with the outcome being provided as a single animation or as a
series of animations summing up to the selected outcome, or
selected from a distinct special pool of outcomes. Some outcomes
are instantaneous, requiring no interaction from the player, and
some outcomes require interaction from the player, for instance the
selection of icons displayed on the screen, a player input to stop
an animation, a variation of a wager specific to that interaction,
participation in a multi-player process, or any other decision or
input a game designer would use to improve the entertainment value
of the game.
[0057] In the pool of outcomes, one or more outcomes are special
outcomes having special significance to the players, for instance
progressives (a.k.a. progressive prizes) which are variable value
outcomes having their value increasing as players participate in a
game, either locally on the wagering game machine 10 or on any
wagering game machine 10 of a pool of wagering game machines
sharing a participation in the progressive(s). In other cases,
interactive outcomes or multi-player-process triggering outcomes
are considered special outcomes. These special outcomes are
intended by the game designers to be one of the features that
distance their wagering game from the other wagering games of a
vicinity. So, the game designers need the occurrence of the special
outcomes to be highlighted in some way so that patrons in the
vicinity will be aware of the game and be incited to play the
game.
[0058] Back to FIGS. 1 to 3, the wagering to gaming machine 10
comprises a main display 200 located at the front 302 of the
wagering to gaming machine 10 and facing a player in normal
conditions. On both sides of the main display 200 are the edge
displays 220. The main display 200 and the edge display 220 are
joining on the side of the main display 200 over the whole height
of the main display 200 at a side boundary line 208. The main
display 200 and the edge displays 220 abut to define a continuous
surface having a pleasing effect. The edge displays 220 have a
curved profile wrapping from the main display 200 to the sides 308
of the wagering game machine 10. This also participate in providing
a pleasing design.
[0059] The edge displays 220 comprises lighting components 222
outwardly oriented covered by a film 224. The film 224 is made of a
transparent, semi-transparent and/or light-diffusing material for
the light emitted by the lighting components 222 to be visible by a
patron.
[0060] Referring additionally to FIG. 8, the processor 21, upon
occurrence of a special outcome, is adapted to provide signals to
the lighting components 222 (see FIGS. 1 to 6), and more
specifically to the lighting rows to perform lighting functions.
For instance, upon occurrence of a special outcome, an animation
pattern can take place on the edge displays 220 with the color of
the LEDs being selected to match or complement the nature of the
animation provided on the main display 200. Furthermore, an
animation on the edge displays 220 also matches the animation
displayed on the main display 200.
[0061] Accordingly, steps performed by the wagering game machine
10/110 can be summarized as follow:
[0062] At step S502, the step comprises receiving a wager from the
player. As explained in relation with the accepting means, many
forms may be available for the wager, from physical components to
electronic components and data.
[0063] At step S504, the step comprises generating one or more
outcomes in exchange from the wager. That step involves the
withdrawal of the wager value from a player account local to the
wagering game machine 10/110, and selecting an outcome to be
provided to the player among a pool of outcomes. One must
understand that pool of outcomes should have a broad meaning from a
random selection of an element, random selection of a plurality of
elements that combined together define the outcome, and/or a
process of comparison of at least one random element with another
comparison element to determine the outcome. Accordingly, outcomes
may be instantaneous, or may involve player's participation or a
plurality of players as examples.
[0064] At step S506, the step comprises displaying the one or more
outcomes on the main display 200. That step usually involves
displaying information and animation. In some cases, the outcome
may involve a series of animations provided one after the other and
summing up as the outcome. Displaying the game outcome on the main
display may further comprises displaying a portion of the game
interface (e.g. the outcome generation animation) on a first
display component (e.g. the lower display 202, FIGS. 4-6) and
displaying a second portion of the game interface, (e.g. the
paytable) on a second display component (e.g. the central display
204, FIGS. 4-6). Accordingly, one should understand that the step
of displaying an outcome may take many forms depending on the game,
the game environment, etc.
[0065] At step S508, the step comprises evaluating if the outcome
is a special outcome.
[0066] At step S510, the step comprises, in case of a special
outcome, to display the special outcome on the main display
200.
[0067] At step S512 which is performed at the same time as S510,
the step comprises, in case of a special outcome, to display a
special visual enhancement on the edge displays 220 according to
the special outcome display process.
[0068] Steps S506, S510 and S512 end with step S514. Step S514
comprises awarding the outcome value of the one or more outcomes to
the player. As with step S502, step S514 may take many forms based
on the components of the wagering game machine 10/110 and based on
systems with which the wagering game machine 10/110
communicate.
[0069] Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 to 6, the wagering game
machine 110 comprises a main display 200 comprising a plurality of
distinct display components, namely a lower display 202, a central
display 204 and an upper display 206 each functionally connected to
the processor 21. The edge display 220 comprises also a plurality
of edge display components, namely a lower edge display 232, a
central edge display 234 and an upper edge display 236. The main
displays (202, 204, 206) join the edge displays (232, 234, 236)
along a boundary line with the joint between the side-by-side
displays (202/232, 204/234, 206/236) providing a substantially
continuous surface. The edge displays (232, 234, 236) wrap from the
main displays (202, 204, 206) to the corresponding component of the
sides 308. Each edge display (232, 234, 236) comprises a series of
lighting rows (adapted relative to the length of the boundary
line). Each lighting row is functionally connected to the processor
21.
[0070] Referring back to FIGS. 1 to 6, the wagering game machines
10/110 comprise a lower member 312 and an upper member 314. The
wagering game machines 10/110 are designed as a modular device. The
lower member 312 comprises the part of the gaming machine cabinet
30 housing the components that need to be secured out of reach of a
patron. The upper member 314 is customizable to adapt to the
clientele. Wagering game machines 10/110 embody examples of
customization, including the size and number of displays components
part of the main display 200, the configuration of the main display
components, the presence, nature and configuration of additional
display components such as, without limitation, edge displays,
horizontal lighting components, customizable advertising
components, candle light, etc. Games are designed to specific
configurations, and/or processable code comprises code specific to
a plurality of configurations, with the processor 21 selecting the
correct code to process based either on recognition of the displays
(using plug and play technology for instance) and/or based on
manually entered configuration.
[0071] The lower member 312 comprises additional components, such
as without limitation, overheating fans, speakers, input devices
24, lockable interior-cabinet door, and lighting components.
[0072] Connection between components housed by the upper member 314
and the lower member 312 is provided through cables passing in an
enclosure located behind the main display 200 both providing
structural robustness to support the main display 200 and other
upper member components and proving a closed area for these cables
to go through, preventing them thus to be handled by non-authorized
individuals.
[0073] Joining the lower member 312 to the upper member 314 is a
rear lighting wedge 240. The rear lighting wedge 240 wraps the
sides 308 and the back 304 of the lower member 312 with the rear
and back of the upper member 314, substantially at the base of the
lowest component of the main display 200. The rear lighting wedge
240 is functionally connected to the processor 21 for control. The
rear lighting wedge 240 is similar in components and configurations
as the edge display 220. The lighting components of the rear
lighting wedge 240 are facing substantially upward and backward to
provide a lighting ambiance in the vicinity of the wagering game
machine 10/110.
[0074] The rear lighting wedge 240 is further adapted to by applied
on its external surface a film providing advertising on the maker
of the gaming machine cabinet 30, the game designer, the game
distributer, the game title and/or the vicinity in which the
wagering gamine machine 10/110 is operating.
[0075] Advantages associated with the rear lighting wedge 240
comprise the emitted light providing a "floating feeling"
associated with the wagering game machines 10/110, better
visibility when the wagering game machines 10/110 is installed side
by side with other wagering game machines in the vicinity, better
perception of the thickness of the wagering game machines 10/110,
and acts as cover for the physical attachments used to secure the
upper member 314 to the lower member 312.
[0076] The wagering game machines 10/110 also comprise in the front
302 Universal Serial Bus ports (USB ports 252--FIGS. 2 and 5).
According to a realization, the USB ports 252 are functionally
connected to a power source allowing a player to recharge their
phone or other personal small electronic device during a play
session.
[0077] According to a realization, the USB ports 252 are
functionally connected to the processor 21, capable of exchanging
data with the processor 21 such as accessing Internet through the
wagering game machine 10/110. According to a realization, the
processor 21 is adapted to exchange data according to a specific
app installed on the player's device. Accordingly, the personal
device physically connected to one USB port 252, through that app,
may operate as a proxy extending the playing capability of the
wagering game machine 10/110, for instance by displaying animation
and receiving input from the player.
[0078] According to a realization, the USB port 252 are usable for
transfer secured data to the processor 21. The transfer is
performed using a secured protocol and is further secured through
device identification by a secured server. The transfer allows
access to configuration of the wagering game machine 10/110 and/or
allows download of configuration data into the wagering game
machine 10/110.
[0079] The wagering game machines 10/110 further comprise a
personal device rail 254 (FIGS. 2 and 5) at the rear end of a
control board 260. The personal device rail 254 acts as a stand for
phones and other player's personal devices. The personal device
rail 254 consists of a wide upward bump appropriately located for
the device to be placed on or beyond the bump leaned over the front
302 of the wagering game machine 10/110. The personal device
becomes thus slightly sloped, facing front and upward relative to
the wagering game machines 10/110.
[0080] The wagering game machines 10/110 further comprise a speaker
bar 256 and two control buttons 258 (FIGS. 2 and 5) integrated into
a horizontal feature at the top end of the lower member 312. The
location and configuration provide the sound box area necessary to
provide high quality sound to the player. The location of the
control buttons 258, normally associated with cash-out function and
service function, are ideally for easy recognition from players as
to prevent accidental pushing of the buttons 258.
[0081] It must be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the
speaker bar 256 and the control buttons 258 are integrated with a
contrasting color to feature visually as a horizontal stripe. The
speaker grille is preferably made of metal with a small diameter
continuous through hole grid.
[0082] The wagering game machines 10/110 further comprise a control
panel blanking display 270 located between the rear end of the
control board 260 and the speaker bar 256. The control panel
blanking display 270 is for displaying information to the player
provided by a remote player tracking system or an advertising
system for instance. The control panel blanking display 270 is
functionally connected to the processor 21.
[0083] The control panel blanking display 270, according to a
realization, operates as a player tracking display, being
functionally connected to a player tracking system (not shown)
remote from the wagering game machine 10/110. Alternative remote
systems may connect to the control panel blanking display 270 to
provide a variety of experience and interactions to the player,
from player tracking, membership, account management, advertising,
vicinity provided rewards, etc. Functions are based on local
processable data and/or functions of remote connected systems.
[0084] According to embodiments, other input/output components may
also operate in relation with remote systems to feed these systems
with data and provide players with information based on data
received from one such remote system. Examples of other components
comprise card reader, ticket reader, ticket printer, lighting
system, etc.
[0085] The wagering game machines 10/110 further comprise a
lighting belly glass 272 located at the front 302 under the control
board 260. As other lighting components of the wagering game
machine 10/110, the belly glass 272 is controlled by the processor
21 and may bear an advertising film. Lighting effects applicable on
the belly glass 272 comprise, as examples, surrounding
illumination, heart-beat lighting effect, gradient lighting, etc.
As other display components, the belly glass 272 preferably wraps
around the wagering game machine 10/110 from one side 308 to the
other side 308, providing a rounded design matching the other
display components of the wagering game machine 10/110.
[0086] According to embodiments, image capture or light level
detection is used to monitor environment. According to algorithms,
lighting components are operating in different modes based on, for
instance, the presence of players in front of the wagering game
machine 10/110, the darkness of the vicinity, and/or the period of
the day for examples.
[0087] The wagering gaming machines 10/110 further comprise a
control board 260 on which most of the controls usable by a player
to play the game are located. The control board 260 is located
substantially at the top of the lower member 312 of the wagering
gaming machines 10/110, below the main display 200, the speaker bar
256 and the control panel blanking display 270. It extends forward,
leaving leg space under, and over the width of the wagering gaming
machine 10/110. Controls are mounted on its display surface 265
(see FIG. 4), providing an ergonomic configuration.
[0088] According to a realization, the controls of the control
board 260 comprise a touchscreen display 266 functionally connected
to the processor 21. The touchscreen display 266 is adapted with a
display surface 265 to dynamically display images and to receive
inputs from a player, the display surface 265 further comprising a
touch sensitive component 264 reacting/responding/being activated
upon contact of an electrical conducting surface (aka electrical
conductor or electrical conducting element) such as the skin of a
user, aka a player. The controls of the control board 260 further
comprise a pair of control buttons 262 (a.k.a. press buttons or
physical buttons) mounted to the display surface 265 of touchscreen
display 266 and functionally connected to the processor 21 through
the touchscreen display 266. The control buttons 262 are press
buttons emitting a signal when pressed by a player, the signal
being transmitted to the processor 21 through the touchscreen
display 266. In a particular realization, the control buttons 262
are associated with play functions in the game. In some
realizations, the play functions associated with the play buttons
vary along the play of the game based on its current state. In a
realization, the two control buttons 262 are identical in shape and
function, providing an opening for player preference on the right
side or on the left side of the control board 260.
[0089] The touchscreen display 266 comprises a touch sensitive
component 264 extending over at least a portion of its display
surface 265, the touch sensitive component 264 extending under the
mounting locations of the control buttons 262 over the touchscreen
display 266. According to a realization, the touch sensitive
component 264 substantially extends over the whole surface of the
display surface 265. The touch sensitive component 264 provides an
area in which the touchscreen display 266 is sensitive to player
contacts and signals from the control buttons 262. The touchscreen
display 266 is adapted to emits signals to the processor 21 upon
contacts from the player, for the processor 21 to potentially
respond to these inputs with modification of the play of the game,
image displayed on any of the main displays (202, 204, 206) and/or
images to be displayed on the touchscreen display 266.
[0090] According to a realization, the touchscreen display 266
displays information and animations relative to the conduct of the
game, and dynamically provides soft controls (locations on the
touch sensitive component 264 sensible at that time to receive
inputs from the player, not shown) and physical button display
information that is visible to the player through the control
buttons 262. The soft controls may be activated only at some
moments of the game, or associated with specific outcomes of the
game.
[0091] The control board 260, with its combination of control
buttons 262 and touchscreen display 266, provides flexibility and
robustness allowing an enjoyable play of the wagering game, and
adaptation to different games demanding distinct display and/or
distinct controls.
[0092] The processor 21 manages the touch sensitive component 264
with a mapping of coordinates corresponding to unitary areas of the
touchscreen display. The processor set some of these coordinates
are inactive, thus contacts over these coordinates would not result
in any signal being processed. Other coordinates are set as active
coordinates, among them the soft button and locations under the
transparent central portion 420 of the control buttons 262 and the
peripheral portion 430 (see FIGS. 9-12). The latter are halo
coordinates that are managed by the processor 21 in association
with two display profiles resulting in, for instance, display of
different colors at these coordinates based on no signal being
received in association with the control button 262 (i.e. the
control buttons 262 being inactive) versus a signal being received
(i.e. one of the control buttons 262 being inactive).
[0093] Referring additionally to FIGS. 9-12, each control buttons
262 comprises a central portion 420 and a peripheral portion 430
defining a body 410.
[0094] The central portion 420 is made of transparent material
allowing a player to see through the central portion 420 images
displayed by the touchscreen display 266 on which the control
button 262 is mounted. The central portion 420 comprises a
transparent component 422 comprising contact surface 426 on top and
a touch sensitive component 424 associated therewith. According to
one realization, the touch sensitive component 424 consists of a
Surface Capacitive (SCAP) located distant from the contact surface
426 but reacting/responding to player contact with the contact
surface 426 of the control button 262. The transparent component
422 is made of glass, and more specifically of an indium tin oxide
(ITO)-type glass which is well adapted for operation
characteristics associated with a gaming machine. The selection of
a PCAP technology provide a longer lifespan expectancy since the
contact surface 426 is less sensitive to surface scratches than
alternative technologies; what is well adapted for the control
button 262.
[0095] The peripheral portion 430 comprises an edge housing 438 and
biasing means 432 that typically comprises a plurality of springs
442 (not illustrated at scale on FIGS. 11 and 12) housed by the
edge housing 438. The biasing means 432 allows the control button
262 to pass from a default expanded configuration (aka
non-conducting position) to a compressed configuration (aka
conducting position) wherein the contact surface 426 of the control
button 262 is lowered relatively to the expanded configuration,
upon a pressure being applied over the control button 262 by the
player. The peripheral portion 430 further comprises a clicking
means 434, the clicking means 434 emitting a clicking sound upon
the control button 262 entering its compressed configuration. The
edge housing 438 further comprises electrical contacts 436 in
connection on one extremity to the touch sensitive component 424
and on the other extremity to the touchscreen display 266 when the
control button 262 in compressed configuration. Thus, in the
conducting position, an electrical circuit is completed from the
touch sensitive component 424 of the control button 262 to the
touch sensitive component 264 of the touchscreen display 266
through the electrical contacts 436.
[0096] According to one realization, a common component made of
transmissive material operates as the biasing means 432, the
clicking means 434 and the electrical contacts 436. According to a
realization, the common component comprises a series of metallic
springs 442 acting also as an electrical connector 444 to the touch
sensitive component 424 and an electrical interface 446 contacting
the touchscreen display 266 upon the control button 262 being
pressed. Upon the pression being released on the control button
262, the springs 442 push back the control button 262 in its
expanded configuration, ceasing at the same time contact between
the electrical interfaces 446 and the touchscreen display 266.
[0097] According to a realization, the control button 262 further
comprises a lens 450 located under the transparent central portion
420, the lens 450 being for increasing the size of the image
displayed by the touchscreen display 266 at the location of the
control button 262 and/or visually modifying the level of the
surface on which is displayed the image, displaying the image
closer thus raising the image above the touchscreen display
266.
[0098] According to a realization, the control button 262 is
mounted on the touchscreen display 266 using glue, another type of
adhesive or another non-altering surface technique, preventing the
mounting of the control button 262 on the touchscreen display 266
from negatively affecting the operation (i.e., electrical
conductivity) of the touchscreen display 266 both under the control
button 262 and on other portions of the touch sensitive component
264. According to realizations, the mounting material (i.e.,
adhesive) used is an electrically conductive material. According to
a realization, the mounting material is applied over the bottom
face 468 distant from the electrical contacts 436. The mounting
material is further selected to be translucent, aka an optical
clear adhesive, allowing light to pass through for the body 410 to
be lit by the touchscreen display 266. According to realizations,
the lens 450 is either freely inset in the control button 262 or
mounted to the touchscreen display 266 using a similar optical
clear adhesive.
[0099] According to an embodiment, the adhesive used to mount the
control button 262 on the touchscreen display 266 has similar
physical characteristics as those of the ITO glass used for the
touchscreen display 266.
[0100] According to a realization, the edge housing 438 is of a
ring shape comprising an inner face 462, an outer face 464
(comprising a top face 465 and a peripheral face 467) and a bottom
face 468. The lens 450, if present, is located within the limits of
the inner face 462, inset in the control button 262. According to
one realization, the inner face 462 is made of an opaque material,
an according to a realization of a reflective material. The outer
face 464 and the bottom face 468 is at least partially made of
light transmissive material. The outer face further usually has
light diffusing quality. The edge housing 438 comprises light
transmitting material permitting to light emitted by the
touchscreen display 266 about the bottom face 468, where the
control button 262 contacts the touchscreen display 266, to be
transmitted to the outer face 464 to be visible by the player.
According to a realization. the processor 21 responds to the
reception of a signal from a control button 262 with a profile,
i.e. change of colors of a halo area under the bottom face 468
from, for example, orange to green to visually confirm the player
of the button press being registered.
[0101] One must note that the above description is for teaching
only and the dynamic effect to be performed through the touchscreen
display 266 and the control button 262 are fully customable through
coding of the game.
[0102] According to a realization, the touchscreen display 266 uses
a Projected Capacitive (PCAP) technology to register contacts of a
player, thus the PCAP is able to register both finger contacts and
electrical contacts from the control buttons 262.
[0103] The touch sensitive component 264 is further dynamically
limited to an active portion defined as a subset of display
addresses, wherein the limits are dynamically defined during
sequences of the game. The dynamic limitation practically consists
in the processor voluntary ignoring signals outside the active
portion, thus outside the subset of display addresses. Thus, the
player posing its finger or hand on the touchscreen display 266
outside the active portion(s) of the touch sensitive component 264
would not affect the game. One would understand that the active
portion(s) of the touch sensitive component 264 comprises areas
under the control buttons 262.
[0104] According to evolution of the game, the active portion(s) of
the touch sensitive component 264 would be modified to comprise
soft controls that would be displayed on the touchscreen display
266. The signals resulting from the activation of these soft
controls would be process as distinct signals from the control
button signals and would potentially be associated with different
processes in the game.
[0105] According to a realization (FIG. 4), the touch sensitive
component 264 extends over the width of the control board 260,
having the control buttons 262 located in a button area 268 of the
touch sensitive component 264. As described above, the touch
sensitive component 264 features a dynamic display. According to
the present embodiment, the control buttons 262 are transmitting
signals upon be pressed. According to embodiments, the display in
the physical button area 268 is controlled by the processor 21 to
operate according to signals received from the touch sensitive
component 424 associated with the control buttons 262. Thus, upon
one of the control buttons 262 being pressed, what is displayed in
the physical button area 268 is modified.
[0106] According to a realization, the control buttons 262 are made
at least partially of transparent material or light-transmissive
material. Upon being pressed, the top and/or edge surroundings of
the physical button area 268 is lit up, providing a feeling that
the over-mounted physical button 262 is lit up.
[0107] Referring additionally to FIGS. 13 and 14, the clicking
means 434 of the control button 262 are mounted on a bottom portion
of the body 410. The clicking means 434 are of a domed shape and
are anchored with four legs to the bottom portion of the body 410.
Upon pressure over the clicking means 434 resulting from the
control button 262 passing in a compressed configuration, the dome
shape of the clicking means 434 is deformed, generating the desired
clicking sound. Upon the pressure being released and the control
button 262 restoring to its expanded configuration. The clicking
means 434 also restores to its original dome shape.
[0108] Referring particularly to FIG. 14, the six (6) springs 442
are shown to be able to pass through the bottom portion of the body
410 to contact the electric contacts 436 when the control button
262 in the compressed (aka contacting) configuration. The springs
442 and the associated passages (holes in the bottom portion and
middle portion of the body 410) are sized for the springs 442 to
contact the electric contacts 436 and the top portion of the body
410 when in a compressed configuration, passing through the middle
and bottom portion and the body 410). The electric contacts 436 are
disks of electrical conducting copper.
[0109] Still referring to FIGS. 12-14, according to another
embodiment, the electrical contact is made from the central portion
420, to the springs 442, to the clicking means 434 and to the
electrical contacts 436. The electrical connection is therefore
made in the compressed/contacting position when the user's finger
applies sufficient pressure for the clicking means 434 to contact
the electrical contacts 434. As soon as pressure is release by the
user, the clicking means 434 returns to its original shape and the
electrical connection does not exist.
[0110] Although the description refers to a clicking means 434,
this component can also be referred to as a clicker 434. The shape
or configuration of clicker 434 is therefore not specifically
limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. Other configurations
for devices which produce a clicking sound by deformation are also
possible. Still according to another embodiment, the spring 442 and
the clicker 434 can be combined into a single component (i.e., a
clicking spring) which achieves the functions of both
components.
[0111] A person of the art must note that many components of the
wagering game machines 10/110 are functionally connected to the
processor 21. Accordingly, in embodiments the processor 21
comprises a main processor responsible for core processes (game,
credit management, remote system communication, essential input
components, essential output components) while one or more add-on
processors functionally connected to the main processor are
responsible to control extra components (e.g. non-essential
components such as belly glass 272, rear lighting wedge 240 and
edge displays 220).
[0112] According to embodiments, the number of components with
variable power consumption creates a challenge. Examples of
variable power consumption components comprise intermittent active
devices such as printers and variable power demand devices such as
edge displays 220. Accordingly, hardware and/or software components
are included to monitor power consumption and to limit, phase or
channel power consumption to the requiring devices to prevent the
power consumption to reach a power consumption threshold.
[0113] According to a realization, a power monitoring process
operates in a continuous manner on the processor 21. Based on the
outcome of the power monitoring, algorithms are performed to limit
total power consumption. Characteristics used by the algorithms
comprise device deactivation, power re-routing, and power
consumption scheduling.
[0114] While preferred embodiments have been described above and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without
departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered
as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *