Gaming Machine Control Unit Protection via Segmented Relay Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming machines are vulnerable to tampering and damage from foreign matter, particularly liquids, which can enter through gaps and affect the control unit, leading to breakdowns, and maintenance is challenging due to the need for frequent repairs and replacement of decorative components like lamps and speakers.

Innovation Solution

A gaming machine design featuring a cabinet with a top door that houses a control unit and a relay portion, where the relay portion is accessible from the outside, protecting the control unit from direct access and allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of components like speakers and lamps without stopping the game.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control unit is housed inside the cabinet below the display and operating unit, then the control unit is protected from direct access, but liquid can enter through narrow gaps and cause breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol unit protectionVSAvoidliquid intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet is divided into multiple compartments: a first compartment housing the control unit, a second compartment housing the display and operating unit, and a third compartment for the relay portion. This segmentation creates physical barriers that prevent liquid from reaching the control unit while maintaining accessibility for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A relay portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the control unit and the display/operating unit. The relay portion can be accessed and replaced independently without stopping the game, serving as a buffer that protects the control unit while enabling maintenance of rendering devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the display and operating unit are removed for maintenance, then the control unit becomes accessible for tampering, but maintenance of rendering devices can be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering device maintenanceVSAvoidcontrol unit security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet is segmented into separate compartments for the control unit, display/operating unit, and relay portion. This allows the relay portion to be accessed independently through the first compartment without removing the display and operating unit, enabling maintenance while keeping the control unit secured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay portion is designed to be accessible and replaceable by maintenance personnel through the first compartment without requiring the player to stop the game or remove protected components. This self-service capability enables easy maintenance while maintaining control unit security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If the gaming machine is stopped for repair or maintenance, then components can be replaced, but productivity and revenue are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent replacementVSAvoidgame operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay portion is pre-positioned in the third compartment and connected via signal line cables that pass through the dividing board. This preliminary arrangement allows the relay portion to be quickly swapped without disrupting the control unit or requiring game shutdown, enabling maintenance during or between game sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The relay portion serves as an intermediary that can be maintained independently. Since it handles signal transmission between the control unit and display/operating unit, replacing it does not require stopping the game, thus maintaining productivity while enabling repairs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the same cabinet is used for different kinds of games, then versatility is improved, but decoration replacement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame type flexibilityVSAvoiddecoration replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet is segmented into modular compartments that can accommodate different rendering devices (speakers, lamps, decorative members) in the second and third compartments. This modular structure allows easy replacement of decorations for different games while maintaining the core control unit housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8388454B2Gaming machine capable of protecting control unit against cheating and tampering

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 INTERBLOCK DOO

AI summary

A gaming machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2; a top door 3 that is openable and closable, and disposed on an upper portion T of the cabinet 2; and a main display 31 that is disposed on the top door 3 and performs display related to a game. In addition, the cabinet 2 has a main housing portion 22 that houses a control unit 61 and a sub housing portion 21 that is provided between the top door 3 and the main housing portion 22. In the sub housing portion 21, a relay portion (211) that relays a connection of the main display 3 and a control unit 61.