Modular Gaming Machine Cabinet with Asymmetric Input Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming machine cabinets are inflexible and inefficient, as they are difficult to reconfigure and have limited space, making it hard to accommodate additional displays and varying customer requirements, and they do not fully utilize advancements in display technology like LCD and PDP panels.
Innovation Solution
A modular gaming machine structure comprising independent cabinets for displays, input devices, and controllers, with a wider top surface than bottom surface, allowing for flexible configuration and increased player comfort, including a bill acceptor and printer installed below the top surface to extend the depth and provide a player table, and wireless communication for reduced size and connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional gaming machine cabinet structure is used, then the machine can be manufactured with standard components, but it becomes difficult to reconfigure the machine by adding displays or changing configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine cabinet is divided into multiple independent modules: a first module housing a first display device, a second module housing a second display device, and a third module housing input devices. These modules can be independently manufactured and then assembled in different configurations, allowing the machine to be reconfigured by simply changing the arrangement or presence of modules rather than disassembling the entire cabinet structure.
2Ease of operation
If a slant top configuration is used, then input buttons are easily accessible, but the depth of the gaming machine becomes longer, limiting the number of machines that can be placed on the casino floor
Solution Approach 1:
The input devices are positioned on a third module that extends forward from the main cabinet body, utilizing the depth dimension efficiently. The top surface of the third module provides a wider area that extends beyond the front faces of the first and second modules, creating an ergonomic input area without significantly increasing the overall machine depth. This allows input buttons to be easily accessible while maintaining a compact footprint for casino floor placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional display devices are added to change the gaming machine configuration, then the machine can accommodate different game types, but the side panels and front panel must be removed and replaced
Solution Approach 1:
Each display device is housed in its own independent module with its own housing structure. The first display device is in a first module, the second display device is in a second module, and these modules can be independently added, removed, or repositioned without affecting the other modules or requiring removal of side panels and front panels. This modular approach simplifies reconfiguration while maintaining cabinet integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design creates universal interfaces and standardized connections between modules, allowing different display configurations to be achieved using the same basic module set. The same first module housing a first display device can be used in different positions and combined with different second modules, providing multi-functionality without requiring custom cabinet modifications for each configuration.
4Ease of operation
If the top surface area of the input device cabinet is increased to provide a player table, then player comfort is improved, but the overall machine footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third module housing input devices features an asymmetric design where the top surface area extends wider than the front faces of the first and second modules. This creates a stepped configuration with the third module's top surface providing additional player table area. The asymmetric extension is positioned to maximize player comfort without proportionally increasing the overall machine footprint, as the width extension is localized to the input device area rather than uniformly increasing all dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine, including a first cabinet including a first display for displaying a first game or information for the gaming machine, a second cabinet including a second display for displaying a second game, and a third cabinet including an input device for playing the game, wherein an area of a top surface of the third cabinet is wider than an area of a bottom surface of the second cabinet or a bottom surface of the first cabinet.