Patent Grant
12039825
Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) or gaming devices provide a variety of wagering games such as slot games, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, video bingo games, keno games and other types of games that are frequently offered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involves a player establishing a credit balance by inputting money, or another form of monetary credit, and placing a monetary wager (from the credit balance) on one or more outcomes of an instance (or single play) of a primary or base game. In some cases, a player may qualify for a special mode of the base game, a secondary game, or a bonus round of the base game by attaining a certain winning combination or triggering event in, or related to, the base game, or after the player is randomly awarded the special mode, secondary game, or bonus round. In the special mode, secondary game, or bonus round, the player is given an opportunity to win extra game credits, game tokens or other forms of payout. In the case of “game credits” that are awarded during play, the game credits are typically added to a credit meter total on the EGM and can be provided to the player upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wants to “cash out.”
“Slot” type games are often displayed to the player in the form of various symbols arrayed in a row-by-column grid or matrix. Specific matching combinations of symbols along predetermined paths (or paylines) through the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The display typically highlights winning combinations/outcomes for identification by the player. Matching combinations and their corresponding awards are usually shown in a “pay-table” which is available to the player for reference. Often, the player may vary his/her wager to include differing numbers of paylines and/or the amount bet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alter the frequency or number of winning combinations, frequency or number of secondary games, and/or the amount awarded.
Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determine the outcome of each game. The game is designed to return a certain percentage of the amount wagered back to the player over the course of many plays or instances of the game, which is generally referred to as return to player (RTP). The RTP and randomness of the RNG ensure the fairness of the games and are highly regulated. Upon initiation of play, the RNG randomly determines a game outcome and symbols are then selected which correspond to that outcome. Notably, some games may include an element of skill on the part of the player and are therefore not entirely random.
The embodiments described herein may include a gaming device that includes a main cabinet that defines an opening for receiving a button deck. The button deck may include a button deck enclosure and one or more buttons protruding from or otherwise defined along a button surface of the button deck enclosure. A coupling tab may include a signal connector operable to connect to a signal connector of the button deck to electrically couple the button deck to a game controller of the gaming device. The gaming device may further include a locking pin locator operable to receive a locking pin to mechanically (e.g., physically) couple the button deck to the main cabinet of the gaming device. The coupling tab may be pivotally or flexibly connected to the main cabinet such that when the signal connectors are connected, the button deck moves into the opening and the locking pin is inserted into the locking pin locator.
The embodiments herein describe a button deck for a gaming device that may be removably installed in the gaming device (e.g., capable of being repeatedly installed in and removed from one or more gaming devices). The button deck and/or the gaming device may include features that facilitate easy and quick installation and removal of the button deck, as well as electrical connections between the input elements (buttons, switches, joysticks, or the like) and internal circuitry, logic, processing elements, or the like within the gaming device. The button deck may include one or more locking pins, alignment pins, and/or signal connectors that are configured to be inserted into one or more locking pin locators, alignment recesses, and/or signal connector recesses of the gaming device. The gaming device may include a coupling tab that is pivotally or flexibly connected to a main cabinet. A signal connector of the button deck may be connected to a signal connector of the coupling tab and/or alignment pins of the button deck may be inserted into alignment recesses defined in the coupling tab. The button deck may subsequently pivot with the coupling tab to insert a locking pin into a locking pin locator to mechanically couple the button deck to the main cabinet.
Communication between the gaming devices 104A-104X and the server computers 102, and among the gaming devices 104A-104X, may be direct or indirect using one or more communication protocols. As an example, gaming devices 104A-104X and the server computers 102 can communicate over one or more communication networks, such as over the Internet through a website maintained by a computer on a remote server or over an online data network including commercial online service providers, Internet service providers, private networks (e.g., local area networks and enterprise networks), and the like (e.g., wide area networks). The communication networks could allow gaming devices 104A-104X to communicate with one another and/or the server computers 102 using a variety of communication-based technologies, such as radio frequency (RF) (e.g., wireless fidelity (WiFi®) and Bluetooth®), cable TV, satellite links and the like.
In some implementation, server computers 102 may not be necessary and/or preferred. For example, in one or more implementations, a stand-alone gaming device such as gaming device 104A, gaming device 104B or any of the other gaming devices 104C-104X can implement one or more aspects of the present disclosure. However, it is typical to find multiple EGMs connected to networks implemented with one or more of the different server computers 102 described herein.
The server computers 102 may include a central determination gaming system server 106, a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) system server 108, a player tracking system server 110, a progressive system server 112, and/or a casino management system server 114. Gaming devices 104A-104X may include features to enable operation of any or all servers for use by the player and/or operator (e.g., the casino, resort, gaming establishment, tavern, pub, etc.). For example, game outcomes may be generated on a central determination gaming system server 106 and then transmitted over the network to any of a group of remote terminals or remote gaming devices 104A-104X that utilize the game outcomes and display the results to the players.
Gaming device 104A is often of a cabinet construction which may be aligned in rows or banks of similar devices for placement and operation on a casino floor. The gaming device 104A often includes a main door which provides access to the interior of the cabinet. Gaming device 104A typically includes a button area or button deck 120 accessible by a player that is configured with input switches or buttons 122, an access channel for a bill validator 124, and/or an access channel for a ticket-out printer 126.
In
In many configurations, the gaming device 104A may have a main display 128 (e.g., video display monitor) mounted to, or above, the gaming display area 118. The main display 128 can be a high-resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, light emitting diode (LED), or organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel which may be flat or curved as shown, a cathode ray tube, or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor.
In some implementations, the bill validator 124 may also function as a “ticket-in” reader that allows the player to use a casino issued credit ticket to load credits onto the gaming device 104A (e.g., in a cashless ticket (“TITO”) system). In such cashless implementations, the gaming device 104A may also include a “ticket-out” printer 126 for outputting a credit ticket when a “cash out” button is pressed. Cashless TITO systems are used to generate and track unique bar-codes or other indicators printed on tickets to allow players to avoid the use of bills and coins by loading credits using a ticket reader and cashing out credits using a ticket-out printer 126 on the gaming device 104A. The gaming device 104A can have hardware meters for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring the player credit balance. In addition, there can be additional meters that record the total amount of money wagered on the gaming device, total amount of money deposited, total amount of money withdrawn, total amount of winnings on gaming device 104A.
In some implementations, a player tracking card reader 144, a transceiver for wireless communication with a mobile device (e.g., a player's smartphone), a keypad 146, and/or an illuminated display 148 for reading, receiving, entering, and/or displaying player tracking information is provided in gaming device 104A. In such implementations, a game controller within the gaming device 104A can communicate with the player tracking system server 110 to send and receive player tracking information.
Gaming device 104A may also include a bonus topper wheel 134. When bonus play is triggered (e.g., by a player achieving a particular outcome or set of outcomes in the primary game), bonus topper wheel 134 is operative to spin and stop with indicator arrow 136 indicating the outcome of the bonus game. Bonus topper wheel 134 is typically used to play a bonus game, but it could also be incorporated into play of the base or primary game.
A candle 138 may be mounted on the top of gaming device 104A and may be activated by a player (e.g., using a switch or one of buttons 122) to indicate to operations staff that gaming device 104A has experienced a malfunction or the player requires service. The candle 138 is also often used to indicate a jackpot has been won and to alert staff that a hand payout of an award may be needed.
There may also be one or more information panels 152 which may be a back-lit, silkscreened glass panel with lettering to indicate general game information including, for example, a game denomination (e.g., $0.25 or $1), pay lines, pay tables, and/or various game related graphics. In some implementations, the information panel(s) 152 may be implemented as an additional video display.
Gaming devices 104A have traditionally also included a handle 132 typically mounted to the side of main cabinet 116 which may be used to initiate game play.
Many or all the above described components can be controlled by circuitry (e.g., a game controller) housed inside the main cabinet 116 of the gaming device 104A, the details of which are shown in
An alternative example gaming device 104B illustrated in
Example gaming device 104B includes a main cabinet 116 including a main door which opens to provide access to the interior of the gaming device 104B. The main or service door is typically used by service personnel to refill the ticket-out printer 126 and collect bills and tickets inserted into the bill validator 124. The main or service door may also be accessed to reset the machine, verify and/or upgrade the software, and for general maintenance operations.
Another example gaming device 104C shown is the Helix™ model gaming device manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. Gaming device 104C includes a main display 128A that is in a landscape orientation. Although not illustrated by the front view provided, the main display 128A may have a curvature radius from top to bottom, or alternatively from side to side. In some implementations, main display 128A is a flat panel display. Main display 128A is typically used for primary game play while secondary display 128B is typically used for bonus game play, to show game features or attraction activities while the game is not in play or any other information or media desired by the game designer or operator. In some implementations, example gaming device 104C may also include speakers 142 to output various audio such as game sound, background music, etc.
Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, video slot games, video poker, video black jack, video pachinko, keno, bingo, and lottery, may be provided with or implemented within the depicted gaming devices 104A-104C and other similar gaming devices. Each gaming device may also be operable to provide many different games. Games may be differentiated according to themes, sounds, graphics, type of game (e.g., slot game vs. card game vs. game with aspects of skill), denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive or non-progressive, bonus games, and may be deployed for operation in Class 2 or Class 3, etc.
The games available for play on the gaming device 200 are controlled by a game controller 202 that includes one or more processors 204. Processor 204 represents a general-purpose processor, a specialized processor intended to perform certain functional tasks, or a combination thereof. As an example, processor 204 can be a central processing unit (CPU) that has one or more multi-core processing units and memory mediums (e.g., cache memory) that function as buffers and/or temporary storage for data. Alternatively, processor 204 can be a specialized processor, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), or another type of hardware accelerator. In another example, processor 204 is a system on chip (SoC) that combines and integrates one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more specialized processors. Although
Memory 208 can store one or more game programs 206 that provide program instructions and/or data for carrying out various implementations (e.g., game mechanics) described herein. Stated another way, game program 206 represents an executable program stored in any portion or component of memory 208. In one or more implementations, game program 206 is embodied in the form of source code that includes human-readable statements written in a programming language or machine code that contains numerical instructions recognizable by a suitable execution system, such as a processor 204 in a game controller or other system. Examples of executable programs include: (1) a compiled program that can be translated into machine code in a format that can be loaded into a random access portion of memory 208 and run by processor 204; (2) source code that may be expressed in proper format such as object code that is capable of being loaded into a random access portion of memory 208 and executed by processor 204; and (3) source code that may be interpreted by another executable program to generate instructions in a random access portion of memory 208 to be executed by processor 204.
Alternatively, game programs 206 can be set up to generate one or more game instances based on instructions and/or data that gaming device 200 exchanges with one or more remote gaming devices, such as a central determination gaming system server 106 (not shown in
Gaming devices, such as gaming device 200, are highly regulated to ensure fairness and, in many cases, gaming device 200 is operable to award monetary awards (e.g., typically dispensed in the form of a redeemable voucher). Therefore, to satisfy security and regulatory requirements in a gaming environment, hardware and software architectures are implemented in gaming devices 200 that differ significantly from those of general-purpose computers. Adapting general purpose computers to function as gaming devices 200 is not simple or straightforward because of: (1) the regulatory requirements for gaming devices 200, (2) the harsh environment in which gaming devices 200 operate, (3) security requirements, (4) fault tolerance requirements, and (5) the requirement for additional special purpose componentry enabling functionality of an EGM. These differences require substantial engineering effort with respect to game design implementation, game mechanics, hardware components, and software.
One regulatory requirement for games running on gaming device 200 generally involves complying with a certain level of randomness. Typically, gaming jurisdictions mandate that gaming devices 200 satisfy a minimum level of randomness without specifying how a gaming device 200 should achieve this level of randomness. To comply,
In
Another regulatory requirement for running games on gaming device 200 includes ensuring a certain level of RTP. Similar to the randomness requirement discussed above, numerous gaming jurisdictions also mandate that gaming device 200 provides a minimum level of RTP (e.g., RTP of at least 75%). A game can use one or more lookup tables (also called weighted tables) as part of a technical solution that satisfies regulatory requirements for randomness and RTP. In particular, a lookup table can integrate game features (e.g., trigger events for special modes or bonus games; newly introduced game elements such as extra reels, new symbols, or new cards; stop positions for dynamic game elements such as spinning reels, spinning wheels, or shifting reels; or card selections from a deck) with random numbers generated by one or more RNGs, so as to achieve a given level of volatility for a target level of RTP. (In general, volatility refers to the frequency or probability of an event such as a special mode, payout, etc. For example, for a target level of RTP, a higher-volatility game may have a lower payout most of the time with an occasional bonus having a very high payout, while a lower-volatility game has a steadier payout with more frequent bonuses of smaller amounts.) Configuring a lookup table can involve engineering decisions with respect to how RNG outcomes are mapped to game outcomes for a given game feature, while still satisfying regulatory requirements for RTP. Configuring a lookup table can also involve engineering decisions about whether different game features are combined in a given entry of the lookup table or split between different entries (for the respective game features), while still satisfying regulatory requirements for RTP and allowing for varying levels of game volatility.
When a player wishes to play the gaming device 200, he/she can insert cash or a ticket voucher through a coin acceptor (not shown) or bill validator 234 to establish a credit balance on the gaming device. The credit balance is used by the player to place wagers on instances of the game and to receive credit awards based on the outcome of winning instances. The credit balance is decreased by the amount of each wager and increased upon a win. The player can add additional credits to the balance at any time. The player may also optionally insert a loyalty club card into the card reader 230. During the game, the player views with one or more UIs, the game outcome on one or more of the primary game display 240 and secondary game display 242. Other game and prize information may also be displayed.
For each game instance, a player may make selections, which may affect play of the game. For example, the player may vary the total amount wagered by selecting the amount bet per line and the number of lines played. In many games, the player is asked to initiate or select options during course of game play (such as spinning a wheel to begin a bonus round or select various items during a feature game). The player may make these selections using the player-input buttons 236, the primary game display 240 which may be a touch screen, or using some other device which enables a player to input information into the gaming device 200.
During certain game events, the gaming device 200 may display visual and auditory effects that can be perceived by the player. These effects add to the excitement of a game, which makes a player more likely to enjoy the playing experience. Auditory effects include various sounds that are projected by the speakers 220. Visual effects include flashing lights, strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lights on the gaming device 200 or from lights behind the information panel 152 (
When the player is done, he/she cashes out the credit balance (typically by pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from the ticket printer 222). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or inserted into another machine to establish a credit balance for play.
Additionally, or alternatively, gaming devices 104A-104X and 200 can include or be coupled to one or more wireless transmitters, receivers, and/or transceivers (not shown in
Although
According to some examples, the mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for stand-alone determination of game outcomes. However, in some alternative implementations the mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to receive game outcomes from another device, such as the central determination gaming system server 106, one of the EGMs 104, etc.
Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to accept monetary credits from a credit or debit card, via a wireless interface (e.g., via a wireless payment app), via tickets, via a patron casino account, etc. However, some mobile gaming devices 256 may not be configured to accept monetary credits via a credit or debit card. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may include a ticket reader and/or a ticket printer whereas some mobile gaming devices 256 may not, depending on the particular implementation.
In some implementations, the casino 251 may include one or more kiosks 260 that are configured to facilitate monetary transactions involving the mobile gaming devices 256, which may include cash out and/or cash in transactions. The kiosks 260 may be configured for wired and/or wireless communication with the mobile gaming devices 256. The kiosks 260 may be configured to accept monetary credits from casino patrons 262 and/or to dispense monetary credits to casino patrons 262 via cash, a credit or debit card, via a wireless interface (e.g., via a wireless payment app), via tickets, etc. According to some examples, the kiosks 260 may be configured to accept monetary credits from a casino patron and to provide a corresponding amount of monetary credits to a mobile gaming device 256 for wagering purposes, e.g., via a wireless link such as a near-field communications link. In some such examples, when a casino patron 262 is ready to cash out, the casino patron 262 may select a cash out option provided by a mobile gaming device 256, which may include a real button or a virtual button (e.g., a button provided via a graphical user interface) in some instances. In some such examples, the mobile gaming device 256 may send a “cash out” signal to a kiosk 260 via a wireless link in response to receiving a “cash out” indication from a casino patron. The kiosk 260 may provide monetary credits to the casino patron 262 corresponding to the “cash out” signal, which may be in the form of cash, a credit ticket, a credit transmitted to a financial account corresponding to the casino patron, etc.
In some implementations, a cash-in process and/or a cash-out process may be facilitated by the TITO system server 108. For example, the TITO system server 108 may control, or at least authorize, ticket-in and ticket-out transactions that involve a mobile gaming device 256 and/or a kiosk 260.
Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for receiving and/or transmitting player loyalty information. For example, some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for wireless communication with the player tracking system server 110. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for receiving and/or transmitting player loyalty information via wireless communication with a patron's player loyalty card, a patron's smartphone, etc.
According to some implementations, a mobile gaming device 256 may be configured to provide safeguards that prevent the mobile gaming device 256 from being used by an unauthorized person. For example, some mobile gaming devices 256 may include one or more biometric sensors and may be configured to receive input via the biometric sensor(s) to verify the identity of an authorized patron. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to function only within a predetermined or configurable area, such as a casino gaming area.
In this example, a gaming data center 276 includes various devices that are configured to provide online wagering games via the networks 417. The gaming data center 276 is capable of communication with the networks 417 via the gateway 272. In this example, switches 278 and routers 280 are configured to provide network connectivity for devices of the gaming data center 276, including storage devices 282a, servers 284a and one or more workstations 286a. The servers 284a may, for example, be configured to provide access to a library of games for online game play. In some examples, code for executing at least some of the games may initially be stored on one or more of the storage devices 282a. The code may be subsequently loaded onto a server 284a after selection by a player via an EUD and communication of that selection from the EUD via the networks 417. The server 284a onto which code for the selected game has been loaded may provide the game according to selections made by a player and indicated via the player's EUD. In other examples, code for executing at least some of the games may initially be stored on one or more of the servers 284a. Although only one gaming data center 276 is shown in
In this example, a financial institution data center 270 is also configured for communication via the networks 417. Here, the financial institution data center 270 includes servers 284b, storage devices 282b, and one or more workstations 286b. According to this example, the financial institution data center 270 is configured to maintain financial accounts, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, loan accounts, etc. In some implementations one or more of the authorized users 274a-274c may maintain at least one financial account with the financial institution that is serviced via the financial institution data center 270.
According to some implementations, the gaming data center 276 may be configured to provide online wagering games in which money may be won or lost. According to some such implementations, one or more of the servers 284a may be configured to monitor player credit balances, which may be expressed in game credits, in currency units, or in any other appropriate manner. In some implementations, the server(s) 284a may be configured to obtain financial credits from and/or provide financial credits to one or more financial institutions, according to a player's “cash in” selections, wagering game results and a player's “cash out” instructions. According to some such implementations, the server(s) 284a may be configured to electronically credit or debit the account of a player that is maintained by a financial institution, e.g., an account that is maintained via the financial institution data center 270. The server(s) 284a may, in some examples, be configured to maintain an audit record of such transactions.
In some alternative implementations, the gaming data center 276 may be configured to provide online wagering games for which credits may not be exchanged for cash or the equivalent. In some such examples, players may purchase game credits for online game play, but may not “cash out” for monetary credit after a gaming session. Moreover, although the financial institution data center 270 and the gaming data center 276 include their own servers and storage devices in this example, in some examples the financial institution data center 270 and/or the gaming data center 276 may use offsite “cloud-based” servers and/or storage devices. In some alternative examples, the financial institution data center 270 and/or the gaming data center 276 may rely entirely on cloud-based servers.
One or more types of devices in the gaming data center 276 (or elsewhere) may be capable of executing middleware, e.g., for data management and/or device communication. Authentication information, player tracking information, etc., including but not limited to information obtained by EUDs 264 and/or other information regarding authorized users of EUDs 264 (including but not limited to the authorized users 274a-274c), may be stored on storage devices 282 and/or servers 284. Other game-related information and/or software, such as information and/or software relating to leaderboards, players currently playing a game, game themes, game-related promotions, game competitions, etc., also may be stored on storage devices 282 and/or servers 284. In some implementations, some such game-related software may be available as “apps” and may be downloadable (e.g., from the gaming data center 276) by authorized users.
In some examples, authorized users and/or entities (such as representatives of gaming regulatory authorities) may obtain gaming-related information via the gaming data center 276. One or more other devices (such EUDs 264 or devices of the gaming data center 276) may act as intermediaries for such data feeds. Such devices may, for example, be capable of applying data filtering algorithms, executing data summary and/or analysis software, etc. In some implementations, data filtering, summary and/or analysis software may be available as “apps” and downloadable by authorized users.
As noted above, the button deck 320 may be removably installed in the gaming device 304 (e.g., capable of being repeatedly installed in and removed from one or more gaming devices). The button deck 320 and/or the gaming device 304 may include features that facilitate easy and quick installation and removal of the button deck, as described herein. In various embodiments, many different button decks 320 may be installed in the gaming device 304. The button decks may be interchangeable such that different button decks may be installed for different games presented by the gaming device 304. The configuration of the button deck 320 may facilitate rapidly changing the button deck, for example to match an update to, or change in, a game executed by the gaming device. The button deck may be hot-swappable in certain embodiments (e.g., the button deck may be removed, added, and/or replaced without powering down the gaming device 304).
Similar to the other main cabinets described herein, the main cabinet 316, a portion of which is shown in
The button deck 320 may include one or more buttons 322a-f for receiving inputs to the gaming device 304. The buttons 322a-f may be mechanical buttons that depress to register an input. Additionally or alternatively, the buttons 322a-f may detect inputs using capacitive sensing, strain sensing, thermoelectric sensing, resistive sensing, optical sensing, or the like. In some cases, one or more buttons 322a-f may include a display for providing outputs. The outputs provided by the display may correspond to a function of the button. The display(s) may be configured as touch- or force-sensitive displays for providing inputs. In some cases, the button deck 320 includes one or more touch- and/or force-sensitive displays, and the buttons 322a-f are virtual buttons provided on the display(s). The display(s) can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. In addition to, or instead of, any or all of the buttons 322a-f, the button deck 320 may incorporate a different input element, such as a joystick, trackball, touchpad, switch, or the like. Accordingly, discussions herein with respect to buttons are intended to encompass other suitable input elements, including the foregoing ones.
The button deck enclosure 340 may enclose additional components of the button deck 320, including electrical connectors, processing unit(s), and/or other circuitry. In some cases, the button deck 320 may include one or more output devices for providing outputs to users. Outputs may include audio outputs (e.g., sounds), haptic outputs (e.g., vibrations), and/or visual outputs (e.g., graphical outputs or light outputs). In some cases, the button deck 320 includes one or more haptic output devices (e.g., a haptic actuator), audio output devices (e.g., a speaker) and/or visual output devices (e.g., a display) for providing outputs. In some cases, the buttons 322a-f may provide haptic, audio, and/or visual outputs to a user.
The button deck 320 may additionally or alternatively include various internal components not shown in
In some cases, the button deck 320 may include a button deck enclosure 340 that encloses some or all of the components of the button deck 320. The button deck enclosure 340 may include a body section 324 that at least partially surrounds one or more internal components of the button deck. In some cases, the button deck enclosure 340 may include a button plate 325 that defines a button surface of the button deck enclosure. The button surface may be a surface of the button deck enclosure 340 that faces outward with respect to the gaming device 304 when the button deck 320 is installed in the gaming device 304. The button plate 325 may overhang one or more edges of the body section 324. The buttons 322a-f may be proud of or otherwise be positioned along the button surface of the button deck enclosure 340. The buttons 322a-f may protrude from openings in the button deck enclosure 340 (e.g., holes in the body section 324 and/or the button plate 325).
The button deck 320 may include one or more signal connectors (e.g., signal connector 328) that each connect to a respective signal connector of the gaming device 304 to electrically couple components of the button deck 320 (e.g., buttons 322a-f) to a game controller and/or other circuitry of the gaming device. The signal connectors 328, 338 may carry input signals from one or more input devices (e.g., the buttons 322a-f) of the button deck 320 to the game controller and/or other circuitry of the gaming device 304. Additionally or alternatively, the signal connectors 328, 338 may carry control signals from the game controller and/or other circuitry of the gaming device 304 to one or more output devices of the button deck 320. Additionally or alternatively, the signal connectors 328, 338 may carry power signals (e.g., alternating current (AC) signals or direct current (DC) signals) from the gaming device 304 to the button deck 320 to power the components of the button deck 320. In some cases, the same pair of signal connectors 328, 338 carries input signals, control signals, and/or power signals. In some cases, different pairs of signal connectors 328, 338 carry input signals, control signals, and/or power signals.
Each signal connector 328 of the button deck 320 may be one of a pair of mating connectors, such that the gaming device 304 includes a corresponding signal connector (e.g., signal connector 338). As shown in
The signal connector 328 may connect to the signal connector 338 when the button deck 320 is installed in the gaming machine 304;
As noted above, the signal connectors 328, 338 may be or include wireless transceivers for facilitating wireless data and/or power transfer between the gaming device 304 and the button deck 320. In some cases, the button deck 320 may communicate with a game controller of the gaming device 304 via a wireless network (e.g., cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IR). In some cases, the button deck 320 may be inductively charged or powered; it may include one or more inductive coils for receiving power from one or more inductive coils of the gaming device 304. In some embodiments, input and/or control signals may be transmitted between these inductive coils in addition to (or instead of) power transmission, thereby obviating any separate wireless communication elements.
The button deck 320 may include one or more coupling mechanisms for mechanically coupling the button deck 320 to the main cabinet 316. The button deck 320 may include one or more alignment pins 327a, 327b for facilitating alignment of the signal connectors 328, 338; these alignment pins may also reduce mechanical strain that would otherwise be exerted on the signal connectors 328, 338. In some cases, the signal connector 338 may be located in or otherwise connected to a coupling tab 334, which is positioned in or otherwise accessible through the opening 330. As noted above, the signal connector 328 may define a protrusion and the signal connector 338 may define a recess, and connecting the signal connectors 328, 338 may include inserting the protrusion into the recess.
The alignment pins 327a, 327b may be positioned on opposite sides of the signal connector 328 and may be configured to be inserted into alignment recesses 337a, 337b defined in the coupling tab 334. The signal connector 328 may define a protrusion that extends from a first end portion 340a of the button deck enclosure 340 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the button surface of the button deck enclosure. The alignment pins 327a, 327b may extend from a first end portion 340a of the button deck enclosure 340 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the button surface of the button deck enclosure.
Additionally or alternatively, the button deck 320 may include a locking pin 326 that is configured to engage a locking pin locator 336 of the main cabinet 316. The locking pin 326 may extend from a second end portion 340b of the button deck enclosure 340, opposite the first end portion 340a, in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the button surface of the button deck enclosure. The locking pin 326 may extend away from the button surface of the button deck enclosure 340 from a portion of the button plate 325 that overhangs the body section 324.
The coupling tab 334 may be pivotally (e.g., hingedly) connected to the main cabinet 316. The coupling tab 334 may pivot around a pivot axis extending along a side of the opening 330. In some cases, the pivot axis may be parallel to the longest dimension of the coupling tab 334 and perpendicular to a longest dimension of the button deck 320 when the button deck 320 is connected to the coupling tab. This is not necessary and can change in some embodiments. Once the button deck 320 is connected to the coupling tab 334, the button deck and the coupling tab may pivot about the pivot axis, allowing the button deck 320 to move towards the opening 330. In some cases, the pivoting motion may drive the signal connector 328 into the signal connector 338, which may help seat the signal connector 328 to establish a good electrical and/or mechanical connection. Similarly, the pivoting motion may drive the alignment pins 327a, 327b into the alignment recesses 337a, 337b, which may help establish a good mechanical connection between the button deck 320 and the coupling tab 334. Further, the extended moment arm of the button deck 320 may magnify a force on the signal connectors 328, 338 and/or the alignment pins 327a, 327b and alignment recesses 337a, 337b, which may enhance the likelihood of the button deck 320 seating properly and establishing a good electrical and/or mechanical connection to the gaming device 304. Alternatively, the coupling tab 334 may be flexibly or otherwise movably coupled to the main cabinet 316 such that the coupling tab and the button deck may move relative to the main cabinet to install the button deck 320 in the opening 330.
Turning to
The locking pin locator 336 may include a latch mechanism that grasps or otherwise engages a groove or other feature of the locking pin 326 to mechanically couple the button deck 320 to the main cabinet 316. Alternatively or additionally, the locking pin 326 may include a latch mechanism that grasps or otherwise engages a groove or other feature of the locking pin locator 336 to mechanically couple the button deck 320 to the main cabinet 316. The release mechanism may be or include a cable, lever, or other element of the locking pin locator 336 and/or the locking pin 326 that causes the latch mechanism to release to disengage the locking pin 326 and the locking pin locator 336 to decouple the button deck 320 from the main cabinet 316.
The locking pin 326 and the locking pin locator 336 may form or be components of a latch or other retention mechanism, such as a pull pin latch, a cable latch, a spring-loaded latch, an electronic latch, and the like.
While the disclosure has been described with respect to the figures, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Any variation and derivation from the above description and figures are included in the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented.
One may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, that the operations and steps presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that alternate step order or fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/202,105, filed Mar. 15, 2021, which is a nonprovisional of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/065,184, filed Aug. 13, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7955176 | Tastad | Jun 2011 | B2 |
| 7976393 | Haga | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 8012027 | McGahn | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8366555 | McGahn | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8574082 | Haga | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 10854039 | Lamb | Dec 2020 | B2 |
| 20100279771 | Block | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20190096161 | Barbour | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20200090462 | Tillery | Mar 2020 | A1 |
| Entry |
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| Office Action (Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85)) dated Sep. 9, 2022 for U.S. Appl. No. 17/202,105 (pp. 1-10). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230113803 A1 | Apr 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63065184 | Aug 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17202105 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Child | 18079730 | US |
