Gaming Machine Foldable Utility Shelf for Simultaneous Bingo Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casinos face challenges in accommodating bingo games on the main casino floor without occupying valuable space or distracting from gaming machine revenue, as traditional bingo rooms are expensive and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A gaming machine with a foldable utility shelf that moves between a stowed vertical position and a play horizontal position, allowing players to play bingo or other card-based games alongside gaming machines without obstructing the view or access to the machine's interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional bingo room is used to accommodate bingo games, then players can play bingo games, but expensive casino floor space is occupied and labor-intensive operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebingo game accommodationVSAvoidcasino floor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the bingo game playing surface with the gaming machine cabinet by integrating a foldable shelf into the cabinet structure. This merging allows bingo cards and game materials to be played on the gaming machine itself, eliminating the need for separate bingo rooms and optimizing valuable casino floor space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gaming machine cabinet is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a foldable shelf that serves dual purposes: providing structural support for the cabinet and creating a playable surface for bingo games. This universal design allows the same space to accommodate both gaming machine operations and bingo game activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable utility shelf is added to the gaming machine cabinet, then bingo games can be played on the main casino floor, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebingo game accommodationVSAvoidcabinet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is designed to be foldable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change between a stowed position (reducing complexity and maintaining clean lines) and a deployed position (providing bingo game surface). This dynamic design adds functionality while managing structural complexity through controlled movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the utility shelf is positioned in a horizontal play position, then players can play bingo cards and games, but the view and access to the gaming machine interface may be obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebingo game playabilityVSAvoidinterface visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is positioned at the front of the cabinet below the main interface, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than extending horizontally in front of the display. This dimensional arrangement allows bingo game materials to be accessed from below without blocking the player's view or access to the gaming machine interface above.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10521999B1Gaming machine having foldable utility shelf

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 FORTUNET INC

AI summary

A gaming machine having a utility shelf movably attached thereto wherein the utility shelf is adapted to move between a stowed position and a play position where the stowed position is substantially non-horizontal and the play position is substantially horizontal. In this manner, gaming machine players may play bingo (or other live, card-based games) simultaneously while playing a gaming machine.