Gaming Machine Control Deck With State-Activated Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control decks on gaming machines allow non-players to charge their devices, leading to a decrease in utilization rate as the machines are occupied, thus reducing the availability for actual players.
Innovation Solution
A control deck with a non-contact power supply unit, light source unit, and pattern display layer that illuminates a charging position only when a player is actively playing, using lighting control to conceal the charging position from non-players and prevent power supply until a game is initiated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pad for charging and communication is always exposed on the control deck, then player comfort is improved, but the gaming machine utilization rate decreases due to occupation by non-players
Solution Approach 1:
The control deck dynamically changes the visibility and functionality of the charging pad based on game state. During gameplay, the pad is illuminated and active for player convenience. Between games, the pad becomes invisible and inactive, preventing occupation by non-players. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the charging pad by controlling LED illumination. When LEDs are on, the pad is visible and functional; when LEDs are off, the pad becomes invisible and non-functional. This parameter change allows the same physical structure to serve different purposes at different times, maintaining player comfort while preventing misuse.
2Ease of operation
If the charging position is always visible, then ease of use for players is improved, but non-players can easily occupy the machine for charging
Solution Approach 1:
The charging position utilizes light emission to change its visual state. When illuminated, the charging position is clearly visible and inviting for players. When unilluminated, it becomes invisible, effectively hiding the charging function from non-players. This color/light change mechanism allows the system to communicate its state without physical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED light source acts as an intermediary between the charging pad and users. The light mediates the interaction by controlling visibility and indicating functionality. Players see the illuminated pad and know it's active, while non-players see nothing and are less likely to approach, thus the light intermediary prevents unwanted occupation.
3Ease of operation
If non-contact power supply is always active, then charging convenience is improved, but energy is wasted when no device is being charged
Solution Approach 1:
The non-contact power supply operates periodically rather than continuously. It is activated during gameplay when charging is needed and deactivated between games when no charging occurs. This periodic operation maintains charging convenience for players while eliminating energy waste during idle periods when the machine is not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for charging by illuminating the pad and activating the power supply just before gameplay begins, and shuts them down immediately after gameplay ends. This preliminary and follow-up action ensures charging is ready when needed but not active unnecessarily, optimizing both convenience and energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents gaming machines from being occupied by non-players for charging, thereby maintaining high utilization rates by ensuring the charging position and power supply are only accessible during gameplay.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact power supply unit, which performs non-contact charging of a device placed in the charging position
Implementation Method 2
a light source unit, which emits light toward the charging position
Data Source
AI summary
A control deck 10 is provided to a gaming machine 1, and comprises a top plate 11, a non-contact power supply unit 26, an LED board 24, a decorative plate 21, and a control unit 25. The non-contact power supply unit 26 is provided directly below a specific charging position P1 on the upper surface of the top plate 11, and performs non-contact charging of a device placed in the charging position P1. The LED board 24 is provided to the lower part of the charging position, and emits light toward the charging position P1. The decorative plate 21 displays a pattern indicating the charging position P1 in a state of being visible from the front side of the top plate 11, using light emitted from the LED board 24. The control unit 25 performs lighting control for turning on or off the light emitted from the LED board 24.