Lever Apparatus Supplemental Display for Gaming Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming machines (EGMs) with digital reels lack the tactile experience and perceived authenticity of mechanical reels, which can deter players who prefer mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical lever with a supplemental display is integrated into the gaming machine, allowing the display to appear as an extra reel outside the main cabinet, enhancing gameplay by expanding the reel set and combining mechanical and digital elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If digital reels are used in EGMs, then ease of maintenance and reel exchange is improved, but player acceptance and perceived authenticity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges digital display technology with mechanical lever operation. The lever apparatus includes a mechanical lever that players can physically pull, combining the tactile experience of mechanical reels with the maintenance advantages of digital displays. The system integrates a digital display showing virtual reels with a physical lever mechanism, allowing players to interact mechanically while the digital component remains easily updatable and maintainable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical reels are used in EGMs, then player acceptance and tactile experience is improved, but ease of maintenance and reel exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gaming system into distinct mechanical and digital components. The lever apparatus is a separate mechanical unit with its own display module that can be independently maintained or replaced. This segmentation allows the mechanical lever to remain for player satisfaction while the digital display components can be updated or repaired without affecting the entire system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the display module is permanently coupled to the lever, then structural stability is improved, but maintenance time and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism between the display module and lever is designed to be dynamically changeable - permanently coupled during normal operation for stability, but readily separable when maintenance is required. This dynamic coupling allows the system to switch between a stable integrated state and a separable maintenance state, optimizing both structural integrity and serviceability.
Data Source
AI summary
An EGM includes a cabinet having a main display. The main display has a transverse plane and is configured to present a set of reels each having a plurality of symbols. The EGM further includes a lever apparatus having an arm mounted to the cabinet and configured to move between a first position and a second position. The lever apparatus further has a display module including a supplemental display having a center. Responsive to the supplemental display being supported by the arm in the first position, the supplemental display is located relative to the main display such that the center of the supplemental display is spaced up to one inch from the transverse plane of the main display. Responsive to the arm being moved from the first position to the second position, the supplemental display presents one or more symbols along a first payline continued from the main display.