Gaming Terminal Lever Restriction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming terminals with lever-type operation devices often suffer from broken support mechanisms due to excessive inclination, leading to reduced device lifespan and difficulty in informing players of permissible inclination limits.
Innovation Solution
A gaming terminal structure that includes a lever-type operation device, a support mechanism with a restriction member, an inclination detecting mechanism, and a controller, which outputs a sound and/or visual warning when the inclination exceeds a predetermined angle, preventing further damage and informing the player of the allowed range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever-type operation device is allowed to incline freely to improve ease of operation, then the player can operate the device more freely, but the support mechanism may break due to excessive inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction member is pre-positioned on the support mechanism at a location that corresponds to a safe inclination angle threshold. This preliminary placement prevents excessive inclination before it can cause damage, allowing free operation within safe limits while automatically blocking dangerous movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the lever-type operation device and the support mechanism. It mediates the interaction by physically blocking excessive inclination, thereby protecting the support mechanism while still permitting normal operational movement of the lever.
2Reliability
If a restriction member is added to prevent breakage of the support mechanism, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism is segmented by adding a separate, independent restriction member that functions as a distinct protective element. This segmentation allows the restriction member to be designed and positioned independently, simplifying the overall integration while providing reliable protection against excessive inclination.
3Loss of information
If the notification unit provides frequent warnings to inform players of inclination limits, then the information feedback is improved, but the player experience deteriorates due to excessive notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit provides feedback to the player when the lever approaches the restriction member or exceeds the safe inclination angle. This feedback mechanism informs players of the inclination limits without requiring constant notifications, as the physical restriction member already provides tactile feedback when contacted.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing continuous or excessive notifications, the notification unit activates only partially - specifically when the lever reaches critical inclination angles. This partial action provides sufficient information feedback to players while avoiding excessive notifications that would deteriorate user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming terminal includes: a terminal image display panel; a lever-type operation device configured to receive an operation of a player; a support mechanism which rotatably supports the operation device at one end portion of the operation device and includes a restriction member configured to restrict inclination of the operation device, the restriction member being positioned so that the operation device abuts the restriction member when the operation device is inclined at a first angle; an inclination detecting mechanism which detects an angle of inclination of the operation device; and a controller which causes the terminal image display panel to output a predetermined sound and/or to give a visual indication to give a warning to the player when the angle of inclination of the operation device detected by the inclination detecting mechanism is greater than a second angle which is equal to or greater than the first angle.