Projection Button Panel for Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dynamic buttons in gaming machines are expensive, have high Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs, reliability issues, limited display resolution and contrast ratio, and a short lifespan due to their reliance on video displays like OLEDs, which are prone to mechanical and electrostatic damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of projector technology to create dynamic buttons, where a projector mounts behind the button and projects images onto a cap with a grating or texture, allowing for customizable button sizes and shapes with similar electronic components, reducing NRE costs and improving durability by moving sensitive components away from mechanical and electrostatic risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dynamic buttons with video displays (OLEDs) are used, then button functionality and display capability are achieved, but cost, NRE expenses, and reliability deteriorate due to mechanical and electrostatic damage susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the video display component from the button assembly, placing it in a separate housing behind the button. This separation removes the fragile OLED from direct exposure to mechanical pressing forces and electrostatic discharge at the button surface, thereby improving reliability while maintaining display functionality through the translucent button cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translucent button cap as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the electronic components. This cap allows tactile interaction while protecting the underlying electronics from mechanical damage and electrostatic discharge, solving the reliability issue without compromising button functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video display technology (OLED) is used in buttons, then dynamic display capability is achieved, but lifespan deteriorates due to mechanical and electrostatic stress
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the OLED display from the button structure and placing it in a protected housing, the patent extends the lifespan of the display component. The button cap acts as a protective barrier that reduces mechanical and electrostatic stress on the OLED, allowing it to maintain functionality for longer periods while preserving dynamic display capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If video display technology is used in buttons, then dynamic content display is achieved, but display resolution and contrast ratio deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by using a translucent button cap with specific light transmission properties. This allows the underlying video display to project images through the cap, improving contrast ratio and resolution by optimizing the interaction between the display backlight and the translucent material, while maintaining dynamic content display capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional button designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cost and NRE expenses increase due to dynamic functionality requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the button system into distinct components: a standard button cap, a housing, and a video display module. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using conventional processes, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while reducing NRE costs. The standardized button cap design can be produced through conventional molding techniques, avoiding the need for expensive custom dynamic button manufacturing.
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
This solution reduces costs, enhances display resolution and contrast ratio, and extends the lifespan of buttons by minimizing exposure to mechanical and electrostatic stress, while maintaining flexibility in button design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a button projector proximate to the projection surface, the button projector configured to receive button image information and to project, based on the received button image information, a button image onto the projection surface
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a gaming machine that includes a projection button panel. The projection button panel may include one or more projection buttons configured to receive user input. Each projection button may include a projection surface disposed within the button capable of being viewed by a player of the gaming machine. Each projection button may also include a button projector proximate to the projection surface. Further, each projection button may be configured to receive button image information and to project, based on the received button image information, a button image onto the projection surface. Each projection button may also include one or more sensors capable of being activated responsive to activation of the button. The gaming machine may also include one or more controllers in communication with the main display and the button assembly. The one or more controllers may be configured to transmit the image information for display at one or more of the buttons, receive the signal from the button assembly indicating that one or more of the sensors have been activated, and/or process the received signal.