Gaming Machine Player Detection Using Dual Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming machines face issues with false player detection and difficulty in determining if a terminal is vacant, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential player safety concerns in dimly lit environments.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine design featuring a human body detection sensor placed on the lower lateral face, a sound sensor on the top door, and a control unit that manages lighting to indicate vacancy, ensuring accurate player detection and easy identification of available machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is used to detect player presence, then player detection capability is improved, but false detection occurs leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The player detection function is divided into multiple independent sensors: a first sensor (e.g., infrared sensor) for initial detection and a second sensor (e.g., touch sensor or weight sensor) for verification. This segmentation allows the system to cross-check signals and reduce false detections while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from multiple sensors and uses this information to determine player presence. The system continuously monitors signals from both the first sensor and second sensor, adjusting the detection decision based on the consistency and validity of the feedback signals, thereby reducing false positives.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine's control unit is designed to handle multiple sensor types (first sensor and second sensor) within a unified detection framework. The same control logic structure processes signals from different sensor modalities, allowing the system to achieve high detection accuracy without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is segmented into distinct functional modules (first sensor module, second sensor module) with clear division of labor. The first sensor performs initial detection while the second sensor provides verification, allowing each module to be optimized independently and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Illumination intensity
If the gaming hall lights are dimmed to create atmosphere, then aesthetic quality is improved, but visibility of vacant terminals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit uses light emission (e.g., LED indicators) to communicate terminal status. When a terminal is vacant, the notification unit emits light to make it visible to players. This allows the gaming hall to maintain dim ambient lighting for atmosphere while providing clear visual information about available terminals through targeted light emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification unit acts as an intermediary between the terminal status and the player's visual perception. It translates the internal state of the terminal (vacant or occupied) into visual signals that are visible in the dimly lit environment, bridging the information gap without requiring bright ambient lighting.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single terminal provides multiple games, then adaptability is improved, but operation complexity increases for players
Solution Approach 1:
The operating unit is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable. The control unit can adapt the operating unit's configuration based on the specific game being played, presenting only the necessary controls for that game. This dynamic adaptation maintains versatility while simplifying the operational interface for players.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions or components of the operating unit are activated or made prominent based on the game type. For example, certain buttons or controls are highlighted or made accessible only when needed for specific games, while other controls remain inactive. This local quality approach maintains all necessary functionality while presenting a simplified interface for each specific operation.
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 false player detection and allows players to easily identify vacant terminals, enhancing operational efficiency and safety by ensuring only seated players are detected and machines are recognized as available.
Implementation Method 1
a human body detection sensor that detects a player
Implementation Method 2
a sound sensor on the top door
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine includes at least a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor is disposed on a lower face of a housing portion, so as to face downward and face a cabinet main body. In addition, the gaming machine is provided with a sound sensor on an upper face thereof, and starts executing a game in a case where the human body detection sensor responds and then the sound sensor detects a player's voice.