3D Touch Screen with Raised Areas for Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming machines rely on physical buttons for player inputs, which can be limiting in terms of flexibility and user experience, especially for players with long fingernails or those preferring touch screen interactions.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine incorporating a separate touch screen with virtual buttons that are configurable by the player and the machine, providing tactile feedback through raised areas, and a joystick for game control functions, allowing for customizable button placement, size, and language selection, along with the option to receive extra credits for using high denomination currency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical buttons are used for player inputs, then the player receives tactile feedback and familiar button feel, but the flexibility and configurability of controls are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of physical buttons (tactile feedback, familiar feel) with the advantages of touch screens (configurability, flexibility) by creating a hybrid control interface. The touch screen surface includes raised regions that provide tactile feedback while maintaining the configurability of virtual buttons, effectively combining both control types into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised regions on the touch screen act as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between physical and digital controls. These raised areas provide the tactile sensation of physical buttons while the underlying touch screen technology enables virtual button functionality, serving as a mediator that delivers both tactile feedback and digital configurability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touch screen is used for player inputs, then flexibility and configurability are improved, but players with long fingernails or those preferring physical buttons may find it difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen incorporates raised regions at specific locations where virtual buttons are displayed, providing localized tactile feedback only where needed for button presses. This local modification maintains the overall flexibility of the touch screen interface while adding physical guidance and ease of operation at critical interaction points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual buttons are made configurable by the player, then user experience and customization are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine enables players to independently configure their own control interface by allowing them to customize virtual button positions, sizes, and arrangements directly on the touch screen. This self-service capability empowers players to adapt the interface to their preferences without requiring technical assistance or complex setup procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a separate touch screen located in an area where buttons are typically located. The touch screen virtual buttons may be both configurable by the player and configurable by the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the touch screen is 3-dimensional in that areas for being touched by the player are raised to give the impression of a physical button. Each raised portion may give tactile feedback to the player when pressed.