Patent Application
20170039803
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materials which are subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present disclosure relates generally to wagering games, as well as gaming devices, gaming systems, and methods for playing wagering games. More particularly, aspects of the present disclosure relate to modular wagering game terminals.
Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have become a cornerstone of the gaming industry. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Thus, gaming manufacturers continuously endeavor to develop new games and improved gaming features and enhancements that will attract frequent play and player loyalty through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
Heretofore, gaming machine design and innovation has focused primarily on displays, lighting, and other attraction devices, system networking and configuration, payout mechanisms, and most predominantly on game play, such as base game features and enhancements, bonus rounds, and progressive-type game play. Gaming terminal cabinets have received less attention, with such attention being generally limited to enhancing cabinet ergonomics and improving player convenience. Relatively little research and development has been dedicated to optimizing cabinet flexibility and scalability for cross-platform integration.
For existing gaming terminals, the construction, footprint and appearance of the cabinet are usually fixed once the gaming terminal is released from the manufacturer and placed on the casino floor. One reason for this lack of flexibility is the difficulty involved in altering the construction and appearance of an already assembled gaming terminal. For example, gaming machines have historically been limited to a fixed cabinet configuration with a dedicated primary display, top box and top-box mounted marquee or light, and rigidly mounted artwork panels and other signage. In addition, the electrical hardware, circuitry, and peripheral devices for each gaming terminal are normally fixed for a particular type of terminal configuration. To alter game offerings, casino operators or contracted technicians are therefore required to either replace the entire gaming machine or to replace many of the machine's components, such as the artwork, top box and marquee. For instances where the operator wishes to change the footprint or overall appearance of a gaming machine, or desires to modify the cabinet's hardware, the entire terminal must typically be replaced. The replacement process is costly, time consuming, and counter-productive to maintaining pace with the continuously changing gambling industry. There is therefore a need for a modular gaming machine configuration which offers greater flexibility for quickly and easily changing the construction and appearance of the terminal.
Disclosed herein are wagering game systems and machines with various modular gaming terminal features and configurations (any recitation herein of “terminal” or “machine” or “device” can be used interchangeably unless explicitly disclaimed). Many of the concepts described herein represent means for delivering flexible and changeable cabinet configurations to the market that take advantage of simple yet standardized interfaces. Segmenting the gaming cabinet into functional sections, and partitioning those sections into connectable units, for example, enables configuration changes that can present dramatically different product propositions and, thus, optimize cabinet flexibility for cross-platform integration. Some of the disclosed features help to minimize research and development efforts and thereby enable an accelerated product release cadence without the level of development investment that would otherwise be required. Additionally, decoupling functional elements and segmenting those elements appropriately helps to enable far ranging options of distinctive styling approaches.
Some of the disclosed concepts are directed to a mechanical mounting interface for modular multi-display gaming machine configurations. The mechanical mounting interface enables coupling of different display modules (e.g., HiDef flat-screen primary and secondary video displays) and/or accessory modules (e.g., top boxes, lighting arrangements and/or marquees) to a universal base (also referred to herein as “core module”). Some embodiments utilize self-locating guide pins that are received in complementary frustaconical guide slots to properly align and connect each display/accessory module for attachment to the core module, either directly or via an intermediate display/accessory module. Standard mechanical fasteners, such as threaded bolts or screws, can be utilized as secondary attachment means to complete the mechanical attachment. This concept can be extended to other cabinet elements, such as button panels and internal core features.
Other disclosed features are directed to modular gaming machine configurations with a flexible platform footprint. Modular gaming machine designs with segmented functional modules of differing configurations couple to a universal mounting base (or “core module”) to enable numerous gaming machine configurations each with a distinct footprint. These segmented modules allow for the coupling of different displays and accessories to a core module to modify the gaming machine's width and/or height. The core module provides structural and functional support for any of an array of display and accessory modules each having separate module characteristics and dimensions. The core module helps to ensure compliance with customer indexing restrictions without foregoing the option for higher/lower/wider/thinner machine configurations.
Additional concepts are directed to modular gaming machine configurations with modular trim structures for creating a unified terminal appearance. Modular gaming machine configurations with segmented functional modules each having a corresponding aesthetic module with a distinct design to enable varying gaming machine configurations each with a different aesthetic appearance. For some implementations, coupling of a distinct skin or trim structure to a core module and distinct skins/trim structures to the display modules allow for simplified modification of the gaming machine's appearance by decoupling function and separating the aesthetic skin from the underlying support structure. The aesthetic modules of the various functional modules cooperate and interconnect, overlap or otherwise fit together to maintain a seamless appearance.
One or more of the foregoing concepts, utilized singly or in conjunction with other disclosed features, deliver a wide range of product permutations to address equally wide ranges of market and customer driven needs. Beneficial aspects of this approach relative to product positioning touch on: cost scalability; distinctive feature flexibility; component integration flexibility; configuration optioning; multiple and distinctive brand languages; sizing and configuration format flexibility; and, overall game-changing form factor enablement. Some of the other benefits attendant to one or more of the disclosed concepts include: a modular gaming terminal configuration that can be easily and rapidly modified to meet continually changing operator demands; a modular gaming terminal configuration that satisfies venue operator restrictions while still maintaining the desired functionality and appearance of the gaming terminal; and, a flexible modular gaming terminal architecture that simplifies and reduces design and manufacturing time and costs.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes an input device that is configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, and a display module with a display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A display module housing, to which is coupled the display device, includes one of a male and a female mounting interface. The gaming machine also includes a core module with an electrical bus that is configured to electrically connect to the display device. A core housing of the core module, which stows therein the electrical bus and provides structural support for the display module, includes the other one of the male and the female mounting interface. The female mounting interface is configured to receive the male mounting interface such that moving the male mounting interface into the female mounting interface automatically aligns the display module with the core module and removably attaches the core housing to the display housing. For some optional configurations, the display module housing and core housing each includes both a male and a female mounting interface that cooperate with their corresponding counterparts on the adjacent housing.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a modular gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game is presented. The modular gaming terminal includes an input device for receiving a wager to play the wagering game, and a display module with a video display device mounted to and supported by a display module housing. The video display device is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The display housing includes a display housing frame with a sidewall and a base plate defining therethrough a guide slot. The modular gaming terminal also includes a core module with a central processing unit (CPU) and an electrical bus mounted inside the core module's housing. The electrical bus electrically connects the video display device of the display module to the CPU of the core module. The core housing includes a core housing frame with a sidewall and a top plate for supporting thereon the display module. Projecting upwardly from the top plate is a self-locating guide pin. The guide slot is configured to receive the self-locating guide pin such that moving the guide pin into the guide slot automatically positions the display housing sidewall adjacent the core housing sidewall and positions the base plate of the display housing against the top plate of the core housing.
Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method for assembling a gaming machine operable to conduct a wagering game. The method includes: providing a display module with a display device for displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the display module including a display housing to which is coupled the display device, the display housing including one of a male mounting interface or a female mounting interface; providing a core module with an electrical bus that is configured to electrically connect to the display device, the core module including a core housing stowing therein the electrical bus and configured to support the display module, the core housing including the other one of the male mounting interface or the female mounting interface; and, moving the male mounting interface into the female mounting interface whereby the display module automatically aligns with the core module and the core housing removably attaches to the display housing.
Additional aspects of this disclosure are directed to a method for assembling a modular gaming terminal that is operable to conduct a wagering game. The method includes: providing a primary display module with a primary video display device that is mounted to and supported by a primary display housing, the primary video display device being operable to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the primary display housing including a primary display housing frame with a sidewall, a top wall including a first guide pin, and a base plate defining therethrough a first guide slot; providing a secondary display module with a secondary video display device or a secondary game-related accessory, or both, mounted to and supported by a secondary display housing, the secondary display housing including a secondary display housing frame with a sidewall and a base plate defining therethrough a second guide slot; providing a core module with a processing unit and an electrical bus mounted inside a core housing, the electrical bus being configured to electrically connect the primary video display device to the processing unit, the core housing including a core housing frame for supporting thereon the primary and secondary display modules, the core housing frame including a sidewall and a top plate top plate with a second guide pin; moving the second guide pin into the first guide slot whereby the primary display module automatically aligns with the core module and the core housing removably attaches to the primary display housing; and, moving the first guide pin into the second guide slot whereby the secondary display module automatically aligns with the primary display module and the primary display housing removably attaches to the secondary display housing.
Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed to a module system for providing gaming machines for conducting wagering games. The module system includes first and second display modules, first and second sets of outer fascia elements (e.g., outer fascia panels and aesthetic trim structure), and a core module. The first display module has a first set of dimensions and includes a first display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a first wagering game. The second display module, by comparison, has a second set of dimensions, which is different from the first set of dimensions of the first display module, and includes a second display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a second wagering game. The first set of outer fascia (also spelled “facia”) elements is configured to attach to the first display module, whereas the second set of outer fascia elements is configured to attach to the second display module. The core module includes a core housing with an electrical bus that is stowed inside the core housing. The core housing is configured to attach to and provide subjacent support for both the first and second display modules, but only one display module at any given time. Likewise, the electrical bus is configured to electrically connect to both the first and second display devices, but only one at any given time. Mounting the first display module and the first set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing provides a first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct footprint, whereas mounting the second display module and the second set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing provides a second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct footprint. For some embodiments, the first and second sets of outer fascia elements are structurally distinct from one another such that mounting the first display module and first set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides the first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct outer appearance, whereas mounting the second display module and second set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides the second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct outer appearance.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a modular gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game is presented. The modular gaming terminal includes one of a first display module or a second display module. The first display module has a first set of dimensions and includes a first display device for displaying randomly selected outcomes of a first wagering game. Contrastingly, the second display module has a second set of dimensions that is different from the first set of dimensions of the first display module, and includes a second display device for displaying randomly selected outcomes of a second wagering game that is distinct from the first wagering game. The modular gaming terminal also includes one of a first set of outer fascia elements that is configured to attach to the first display module, or a second set of outer fascia elements that is configured to attach to the second display module. The second set of fascia elements is at least partially structurally distinct from the first set of fascia elements. The modular gaming terminal further includes a core module with an electrical bus and an electrical power regulation unit stowed inside a core housing. The core housing is configured to attach to and provide subjacent support for the selected one of the display modules, while the electrical bus and the electrical power regulation unit are configured to electrically connect to the selected one of the display modules. Mounting the first display module and the first set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing provides a first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct outer appearance, whereas mounting the second display module and the second set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing provides a second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct outer appearance.
Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method for assembling modular gaming machines operable to conduct wagering games. The method includes: providing a first display module which includes a first display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a first wagering game, the first display module having a first set of dimension; providing a second display module that includes a second display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a second wagering game, the second display module having a second set of dimensions that is different from the first set of dimensions of the first display module; providing a first set of outer fascia elements that is configured to attach to the first display module; providing a second set of outer fascia elements that is configured to attach to the second display module; providing a core module including a core housing with an electrical bus stowed inside the core housing, the core housing being configured to attach to and provide subjacent support for both display modules, but only one at a given time, and the electrical bus being configured to electrically connect to both display devices, but only one at a given time; and, mounting either: (a) the first display module and the first set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing to thereby provide a first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct footprint, or (b) the second display module and the second set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing to thereby provide a second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct footprint.
In accordance with additional aspects of this disclosure, a method is disclosed for assembling a modular gaming terminal operable to conduct a wagering game. This method includes: providing a core module including a core housing with an electrical bus and an electrical power regulation unit stowed inside the core housing; mounting on top of the core module one of:
(A) a first display module that includes a first display device that is operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a first wagering game, the first display module having a first set of dimensions; or
(B) a second display module that includes a second display device that is operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a second wagering game that is distinct from the first wagering game, the second display module having a second set of dimensions that is different from the first set of dimensions of the first display module; mounting to the core module one of:
(A) a first set of outer fascia elements if the first display module is mounted onto the core housing to thereby provide a first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct outer appearance; or
(B) a second set of outer fascia elements if the second display module is mounted onto the core housing to thereby provide a second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct outer appearance; and, electrically connecting, via one or more electrical connectors, the respective display device of the mounted one of the display modules to the electrical power regulation unit and the electrical bus of the core module.
The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, this summary merely provides an exemplification of some of the novel features presented herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present invention, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
While aspects of this disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. There are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail representative embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. To that extent, elements and limitations that are disclosed, for example, in the Abstract, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly or collectively, by implication, inference or otherwise. For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed: the singular includes the plural and vice versa; the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means “any and all”; and the words “including” and “comprising” mean “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein in the sense of “at, near, or nearly at,” or “within 3-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof, for example.
For purposes of the present detailed description, the terms “wagering games,” “gambling,” “slot game,” “casino game,” and the like include games in which a player places at risk a sum of money or other representation of value, whether or not redeemable for cash, on an event with an uncertain outcome, including without limitation those having some element of skill. In some embodiments, the wagering game may involve wagers of real money, as found with typical land-based or on-line casino games. In other embodiments, the wagering game may additionally, or alternatively, involve wagers of non-cash values, such as virtual currency, and therefore may be considered a social or casual game, such as would be typically available on a social networking web site, other web sites, across computer networks, or applications on mobile devices (e.g., phones, tablets, etc.). When provided in a social or casual game format, the wagering game may closely resemble a traditional casino game, or it may take another form that more closely resembles other types of social/casual games. It should also be noted that the recitation of a gaming terminal, machine, device or system can be used interchangeably in the specification and claims, unless explicitly delimited.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the several views, there is shown in
The gaming terminal 10 illustrated in
Video images in the primary display area 14 and/or the secondary display area 16 can be rendered in two-dimensional (e.g., using Flash Macromedia™) or three-dimensional graphics (e.g., using Renderware™). In various aspects, the video images are played back (e.g., from a recording stored on the gaming terminal 10), streamed (e.g., from a gaming network), or received as a TV signal (e.g., either broadcast or via cable). Such images can take different forms, such as animated images, computer-generated images, or “real-life” images, either prerecorded (e.g., in the case of marketing/promotional material) or as live footage. The format of the video images can include any format including, but not limited to, an analog format, a standard digital format, or a high-definition (HD) digital format.
Input devices, such as the touch screen 18, buttons 20, a mouse, a joystick, a gesture-sensing device, a voice-recognition device, and a virtual input device, accept player input(s) and transform the player input(s) to electronic data signals indicative of the player input(s), which correspond to an enabled feature for such input(s) at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button or soft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to play the wagering game). The input(s), once transformed into electronic data signals, are output to a CPU for processing. The electronic data signals can be selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage, an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magnetic signal, and a magnetic element.
Turning now to
The CPU 30 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 36, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 36 is connected to various input devices 38, output devices 40, and input/output devices 42 such as those discussed above in connection with
The external system 48 includes, in various aspects, a gaming network, other gaming terminals, a gaming server, a remote controller, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination. In yet other aspects, the external system 48 may comprise a player's portable electronic device (e.g., cellular phone, electronic wallet, etc.) and the external system interface 46 is configured to facilitate wireless communication and data transfer between the portable electronic device and the CPU 30, such as by a near-field communication path operating via magnetic-field induction or a frequency-hopping spread spectrum radio-frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).
The gaming terminal 10 optionally communicates with the external system 48 such that the terminal operates as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. In general, a wagering game includes a random number generator (RNG) for generating a random number, game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number, and game assets (e.g., art, sound, etc.) for presenting the determined outcome to a player in an audio-visual manner. The RNG, game logic, and game assets are contained within the gaming terminal 10 (“thick client” gaming terminal), the external system 48 (“thin client” gaming terminal), or are distributed therebetween in any suitable manner (“intermediate client” gaming terminal).
The gaming terminal 10 may include additional peripheral devices or more than one of each component shown in
Referring now to
In response to receiving a wager, the reels 52 are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with paylines such as paylines 58. The wagering game evaluates the displayed array of symbols on the stopped reels and provides immediate awards and bonus features in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” or “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated payline, typically in a particular order such as left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. Scatter pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear anywhere in the displayed array without regard to position or paylines. Similarly, the wagering game may trigger bonus features based on one or more bonus triggering symbols appearing along an activated payline (i.e., “line trigger”) or anywhere in the displayed array (i.e., “scatter trigger”). The wagering game may also provide mystery awards and features independent of the symbols appearing in the displayed array.
In accord with various methods of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system in accord with the present concepts, the wagering game includes a game sequence in which a player makes a wager and a wagering game outcome is provided or displayed in response to the wager being received or detected. The wagering game outcome is then revealed to the player in due course following initiation of the wagering game. The method comprises the acts of conducting the wagering game using a gaming apparatus, such as the gaming terminal 10 depicted in
In the aforementioned method, for each data signal, the CPU (e.g., CPU 30) is configured to process the electronic data signal, to interpret the data signal (e.g., data signals corresponding to a wager input), and to cause further actions associated with the interpretation of the signal in accord with computer instructions relating to such further actions executed by the controller. As one example, the CPU causes the recording of a digital representation of the wager in one or more storage media (e.g., storage unit 44), the CPU, in accord with associated computer instructions, causing the changing of a state of the storage media from a first state to a second state. This change in state is, for example, effected by changing a magnetization pattern on a magnetically coated surface of a magnetic storage media or changing a magnetic state of a ferromagnetic surface of a magneto-optical disc storage media, a change in state of transistors or capacitors in a volatile or a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM), etc. The noted second state of the data storage media comprises storage in the storage media of data representing the electronic data signal from the CPU (e.g., the wager in the present example). As another example, the CPU further, in accord with the execution of the instructions relating to the wagering game, causes the primary display 12, other display device, or other output device (e.g., speakers, lights, communication device, etc.) to change from a first state to at least a second state, wherein the second state of the primary display comprises a visual representation of the physical player input (e.g., an acknowledgement to a player), information relating to the physical player input (e.g., an indication of the wager amount), a game sequence, an outcome of the game sequence, or any combination thereof, wherein the game sequence in accord with the present concepts comprises acts described herein. The aforementioned executing of computer instructions relating to the wagering game is further conducted in accord with a random outcome (e.g., determined by an RNG) that is used by the CPU to determine the outcome of the game sequence, using a game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number. In at least some aspects, the CPU is configured to determine an outcome of the game sequence at least partially in response to the random parameter.
The illustrated gaming terminal 110, which is shown as an upright free-standing gaming terminal, comprises a cabinet, designated generally as 112, for housing and/or supporting a variety of operational componentry. For output devices, the gaming terminal 110 includes, among other things, a first “primary” display module 114, and a second “top-box” or “secondary” display module 116. In accord with the embodiment shown in
For input devices, the gaming terminal 110 may include one or more touchscreens 118 and 119, a bill receiving and validating device 120, an information reader/writer(s) 122, a button panel 124, and a ticket reader/printer 126, as some non-limiting examples. The gaming terminal 110 may include one or more other/alternative player input and output devices, including trackpads, speech-recognition enabled hardware, a QWERTY keyboard, audio speakers, marquees, and one or more player-accessible ports (e.g., an audio output jack for headphones, a video headset jack, an internet cable jack, a wireless transmitter/receiver, etc.). In the illustrated example, the button panel 124 includes: (1) a row of mechanical wager-selection pushbuttons that allow a player to choose any of a variety of specified wager amounts for each activated payline; and, (2) a row of mechanical payline-selection pushbuttons that allow a player to choose any of a variety of specified payline configurations prior to spinning the reels. While these typical components found in the gaming terminal 110 are described above, it should be understood that numerous additional/alternative peripheral devices and other elements may exist or be hereafter developed that may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming terminal.
The gaming terminal 110 may communicate with an external or central gaming system (e.g., external system 48 of
A first “primary” display device 115 of the primary display module 114 is operable, alone or in cooperation with a second “top-box” display device 117 of the secondary display module 116, to display or otherwise visually depict a wagering game 130, which in this example is a reel-type “slot” wagering game. The slot game 130 includes a plurality of symbol-bearing reels, designated as 131-135 in
The symbols on the reels 131-135, when part of a wagering-game outcome, are arranged in a symbol array, which in this embodiment is a 4×5 matrix—four rows by five columns—of distinct array positions (20 total array positions in
Within the scope of this disclosure, the wagering game 130 can include greater or fewer than five symbol-bearing reels (simulated, mechanical, or otherwise), each of which may include greater or fewer reel positions and reel symbols than those described with respect to
Disclosed in
With reference now to
As seen in
Similar to the first display module 114, the second display module 116 includes a display device 117, which may also be in the nature of a flat-screen edge-lit HiDef LCD video display panel for displaying features and aspects of the wagering game 130, such as bonus games, community games, progressive games, advertisements, game-related information, etc. The second display device 117, like the first display device 115, is cantilevered via a pivot-hinge subassembly 150 to the front of a second display housing 168. While differing in overall shape and size, the two display housings may be similar in material and construction. For instance, the housing 168 of the second display module 116 includes a rigid (e.g., metallic) frame comprising opposing, laterally spaced and generally parallel sidewalls 169 and 170 that are interconnected by a back wall 171 and a top wall 172. The back and top walls 171, 172, which extend between and connect to the two sidewalls 169, 170 of the frame (e.g., via rivets), are coupled together (e.g., via rivets) in a generally orthogonal manner. The second display pivot-hinge subassembly 150 of the second display module 114 can be structurally identical to the first display pivot-hinge subassembly 150 described above with respect to the first display module 114; as such, for brevity and conciseness, a duplicated description of the second display pivot-hinge subassembly 150 will be omitted. In a similar regard, the first display module 114 may further comprise an optional display latch subassembly 160, which may be structurally identical to the latch subassembly 160 described above with respect to the first display module 114 in
Turning again to
The core module 140 of the modular gaming terminal 110 can be “universal” in that it is configured to receive, couple with, structurally support, and control/power an assortment of interchangeable display and accessory modules, e.g., to provide a variety of distinct gaming machine configurations. In the example illustrated in
For some implementations, the core module 140 acts as a localized “brain” and “power center” for the entire gaming terminal 110. Included within the core module 140 is a
“Bulkhead” input/output (I/O) bus board 190 (also referred to herein as “electrical bus”) that electrically connects the various control devices, input devices, output devices, input/output devices and, in some implementations, power devices of the gaming terminal 110. Acting as a local bus or an internal bus, the Bulkhead Board 190 provides a communication interface for transferring data between the electronic components inside the gaming terminal 110. Also stowed inside the housing 182 of the core module 140 with the electrical bus 190 is a central processing unit (illustrated as “CPU NXT 3”) 192 that electrically connects to and controls the display devices 115, 117 of the display modules 114, 116 via the electrical bus 190. The CPU 192 shown in
With continuing reference to
Continuing with the above example, the core module 140 may further comprise a variety of different Meters 214 for measuring game-related data, such as player wagering activity, time on device, occupancy data, payout activity, etc., and non-game-related data, such as error conditions and fault events. Door switches 206 may include a number of discrete micro switches and mounting harnesses for verifying the state (closed or open) of various access doors of the gaming terminal 110. A third emotive lighting assembly 210, which is positioned on the forward-facing perimeter of the core module 110, may be operated in conjunction with the first and second emotive lighting assemblies 164, 178 of the first and second display modules 114, 116 to provide light shows and any of the lighting options described above. Like the gaming terminal 10 of
The core module 140 and, namely, the CPU 192 and power regulation unit 196 are detachably electrically connectable to the first and second display modules 114, 116 via one or more electrical Connectors 202. These Connectors 202, which are coupled to the Bulkhead I/O Board electrical bus 190, may comprise, in any combination, 12V or 24V power cables for powering the display devices 115, 117, touchscreen 118, emotive lighting assemblies 164, 178, and tower light 180, as well as Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or DisplayPort connectors for controlling the display devices 115, 117, and one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors for powering and controlling a touchscreen 118. Alternative configurations may include additional/alternative electrical connectors, such as one or more emotive lighting RJ-45 connectors, video (VGA) jacks, Molex™ 6-pin tower connectors, DVI-to-VGA connectors, blind-mate connectors, pigtail connectors, or any now known or hereinafter developed connectors that are logically amenable to the intended use thereof. While these connectors can be provided as separate, individually attachable and detachable connectors, they can be combined into a single “umbilical” connector or an electrical connector bundle. It may be desirable, for some implementations, that the Connectors 202 extend out of the top face 183 of the core housing 140 and, for the secondary display module 116, pass from the core module 140 through the primary display module 114.
Referring again to
Both of the display modules 114 and 116 are removably attached to the core module 140 such that the display modules 114 and 116 may be readily removed from the gaming terminal 110 and, if needed, repaired and/or replaced without having to replace the entire gaming terminal 110 and without having to disassemble or physically damage any of the modules 114, 116, 140. In accord with the illustrated embodiment, the housing of each module includes a male mounting interface, a female mounting interface, or at least one male and at least one female mounting interface. As seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, all of the male mounting interfaces are structurally similar, while all of the female mounting interfaces are structurally similar. For this reason, and for brevity and conciseness, the structure, operation and functionality of the male and female mounting interfaces will be described with respect to the second male and second female mounting interfaces 224, 226 of the first and second display modules 114, 116. It should be recognized, however, that in alternative embodiments one or more or all of the male and female mounting interfaces may take on a distinctive and alternative design. In some non-limiting examples, each male-and-female mounting interface set may comprise a self-aligning guide rail assembly, a self-aligning twist-and-lock assembly, a self-aligning blind-mate connector assembly, cables and panel-mounted sockets, etc. It is also within the scope of this disclosure to modify the location of each male-and-female mounting interface set (e.g., move each set to a centralized location of the corresponding module housings), or to reverse the relative location of the male and female counterparts (e.g., place the first female mounting interface 220 on the core module 140 and place the first male mounting interface 222 on the first display module housing 144).
Turning to
With the configurations shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, moving the second male mounting interface 224 (i.e., the guide pin 228) into the second female mounting interface 226 (i.e., the guide slot 232) operates to automatically align the lateral sidewalls 169, 170 and back wall 171 of the second display housing 168 with the lateral sidewalls 145, 146 and back wall 147, respectively, of the first display housing 144. Additionally, moving the second male mounting interface 224 into the second female mounting interface 226 also operates to automatically position the base mounting plate 230 of the second display housing 168 adjacent and, optionally, against the top wall 148 of the first display housing 144. Likewise, moving the first male mounting interface 222 into the first female mounting interface 220 operates to automatically align the lateral sidewalls 145, 146 and back wall 147 of the first display housing 144 with the sides 185, 186 and back 187, respectively, of the core housing 182. Additionally, moving the first male mounting interface 222 into the first female mounting interface 220 also operates to automatically position the base mounting plate 230 of the first display housing 144 adjacent and, optionally, against the top face 183 of the core housing 182. In instances where the dimensions of the modules do not coincide (e.g., where the housing of one or more of the display modules is wider and/or deeper than the housing of the core module), the automatic alignment between adjacent modules may comprise operatively positioning the base of one module adjacent and, optionally, against the top of the subjacent module such that the modules can be electronically connected.
As seen in
The male-and-female mounting interface sets describe above also enable ready removal and replacement of one or both of the display modules 114, 116, e.g., with substitute display and accessory modules (see, e.g.,
As indicated above, the “universal” core module 140 of
In a similar regard, there are shown in
In accord with the module system illustrated in
At any given time, the housing 182 of the core module 140 may be limited to mechanically attaching to and providing subjacent support for one of the “primary” display modules, one of the “secondary” display modules, and one set of outer fascia elements. Likewise, at any given time, the electrical components stowed within the core housing 182 can be limited to electrically connecting to only the one “primary” display module and only the one “secondary” display module mounted on the core module 140. When comparing
For the first modular gaming machine configuration 310, the first “primary” and “secondary” display modules 314, 316 are smaller than their counterpart modules in the other modular gaming machine configurations 410 and 510. Likewise, the second “primary” and “secondary” display modules 414, 416 of the second modular gaming machine configuration 410 are smaller than their counterpart modules in the third modular gaming machine configuration 510. In this regard, the first modular gaming machine configuration 310 has a first set of modular gaming machine dimensions, which includes a first overall width W1, a first overall depth D1, and a first overall height H1. The second modular gaming machine configuration 410 has a second set of dimensions, which includes a second overall width W2, a second overall depth D2, and a second overall height H2. Moreover, the third modular gaming machine configuration 510 has a third set of dimensions, which includes a third overall width W3, a third overall depth D3, and a third overall height H3.
In some embodiments, the overall width W2 (and, optionally, the overall depth D2) of the second modular gaming machine 410 is larger than overall width W1 (and, optionally, the overall depth D1) of the first modular gaming machine 310, such that the second modular gaming machine 410 occupies a larger overall surface area than the overall surface area occupied by the first modular gaming machine 310. Put another way, the distinct footprint of the second distinct gaming machine configuration 410 is larger than the distinct footprint of the first distinct gaming machine configuration 310. Likewise, in some embodiments, the overall width W3 (and, optionally, the overall depth D3) of the third modular gaming machine 510 is larger than overall width W2 (and, optionally, the overall depth D2) of the second modular gaming machine 410, such that the third modular gaming machine 510 occupies a larger overall surface area than the overall surface area occupied by the second modular gaming machine 410. In other words, the distinct footprint of the third distinct gaming machine configuration 510 is larger than the distinct footprint of the first distinct gaming machine configuration 310. In addition, the third overall height H3 of the third distinct gaming machine configuration 510 is larger than the first and second overall heights of the first and second distinct gaming machine configuration 310, 410, while the second overall height H1 of the second distinct gaming machine configuration 410 is larger than the first overall height H1 of the first distinct gaming machine configuration 310.
Each set of outer fascia elements 350, 450, 550 is at least partially structurally distinct from the other sets of fascia elements such that mounting a set of outer fascia elements and the corresponding display module(s) onto the core module 140 provides a distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct outer appearance. As can be understood from the example illustrated in
Also disclosed herein are improved methods for assembling gaming machines operable to conduct wagering games and methods for assembling a modular gaming terminal operable to conduct a wagering game. These methods will be described with reference to the various aspects and features shown in
Other embodiments are directed to a method for assembling a modular gaming terminal that is operable to conduct a wagering game. The method includes: providing a primary display module with a primary video display device that is mounted to and supported by a primary display housing, the primary video display device being operable to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the primary display housing including a primary display housing frame with a sidewall, a top wall including a first guide pin, and a base plate defining therethrough a first guide slot; providing a secondary display module with a secondary video display device or a secondary game-related accessory, or both, mounted to and supported by a secondary display housing, the secondary display housing including a secondary display housing frame with a sidewall and a base plate defining therethrough a second guide slot; providing a core module with a processing unit and an electrical bus mounted inside a core housing, the electrical bus being configured to electrically connect the primary video display device to the processing unit, the core housing including a core housing frame for supporting thereon the primary and secondary display modules, the core housing frame including a sidewall and a top plate top plate with a second guide pin; moving the second guide pin into the first guide slot whereby the primary display module automatically aligns with the core module and the core housing removably attaches to the primary display housing; and, moving the first guide pin into the second guide slot whereby the secondary display module automatically aligns with the primary display module and the primary display housing removably attaches to the secondary display housing.
Other embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method for assembling modular gaming machines operable to conduct wagering games. The method includes: providing a first display module which includes a first display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a first wagering game, the first display module having a first set of dimension; providing a second display module that includes a second display device that is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a second wagering game, the second display module having a second set of dimensions that is different from the first set of dimensions of the first display module; providing a first set of outer fascia elements that is configured to attach to the first display module; providing a second set of outer fascia elements that is configured to attach to the second display module; providing a core module including a core housing with an electrical bus stowed inside the core housing, the core housing being configured to attach, one at a time, to and provide subjacent support for the display modules, and the electrical bus being configured to electrically connect, one at a time, to the display devices; and, mounting either: (a) the first display module and the first set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing to thereby provide a first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct footprint, or (b) the second display module and the second set of outer fascia elements onto the core housing to thereby provide a second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct footprint.
In accordance with additional embodiments of this disclosure, a method is disclosed for assembling a modular gaming terminal operable to conduct a wagering game. This method includes providing a core module including a core housing with an electrical bus and an electrical power regulation unit stowed inside the core housing. The method then includes mounting on top of the core module one of:
(A) a first display module that includes a first display device that is operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a first wagering game, the first display module having a first set of dimensions; or
(B) a second display module that includes a second display device that is operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a second wagering game that is distinct from the first wagering game, the second display module having a second set of dimensions that is different from the first set of dimensions of the first display module.
The method also includes mounting to the core module one of:
(A) a first set of outer fascia elements if the first display module is mounted onto the core housing to thereby provide a first distinct gaming machine configuration with a first distinct outer appearance; or
(B) a second set of outer fascia elements if the second display module is mounted onto the core housing to thereby provide a second distinct gaming machine configuration with a second distinct outer appearance.
The method then includes electrically connecting, via one or more electrical connectors, the respective display device of the mounted one of the display modules to the electrical power regulation unit and the electrical bus of the core module. The method may further comprise: providing a first player input module (e.g., a first Button Deck Module) with a first input device mounted to a first input module housing, the first input device being configured to receive wager inputs from players to play the first wagering game; providing a second player input module (e.g., a second Button Deck Module) with a second input device mounted to a second input module housing, the second input device being configured to receive wager inputs from players to play the second wagering game; and, mounting either: (a) the first player input module to the core housing if the first display module is mounted onto the core housing, or (b) the second input module to the core housing if the second display module is mounted onto the core housing.
In some embodiments, each of the aforementioned methods include at least those steps respectively enumerated above. It is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention to omit steps, include additional steps, and/or modify the order presented above. It should be further noted that each of the foregoing methods can be representative of a single sequence of related steps; however, it is expected that each of these method will be practiced in a systematic and repetitive manner.
While many embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention have been described in detail above, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/880,313, which was filed on Sep. 20, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/880,298, which was filed on Sep. 20, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/969,324, which was filed on Mar. 24, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its respective entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61880313 | Sep 2013 | US | |
| 61880298 | Sep 2013 | US | |
| 61969324 | Mar 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14456468 | Aug 2014 | US |
| Child | 15331589 | US |
