Rotatable Side Panels for Gaming Machine Adaptability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines struggle to differentiate themselves in environments where the perceived likelihood of winning is similar across options, leading to a need for enhanced entertainment value to attract frequent play and increase profitability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a gaming machine cabinet with a top-box device featuring rotatable side panels that can move between closed and open positions, allowing for variable configuration and enhanced display capabilities to increase entertainment value and adaptability in different gaming environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gaming machines use fixed cabinet configurations, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but adaptability to different gaming environments and entertainment value are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side panels are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to rotate between a first position (parallel to cabinet sides) and a second position (perpendicular to cabinet sides). This dynamic configuration enables the same gaming machine to adapt to different gaming environments and spacing requirements without requiring multiple fixed cabinet designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet is divided into modular components with independently movable side panels that can be adjusted relative to the main cabinet body. This segmentation allows each panel to be positioned independently to create different configurations suitable for various gaming floor layouts and spacing requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If gaming machines are positioned closer together, then floor space utilization increases, but player privacy and display visibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable side panels can rotate to perpendicular positions relative to the cabinet sides, extending outward to create visual barriers between adjacent gaming machines. This allows machines to be positioned closer together on the gaming floor while maintaining display visibility for players and providing privacy shields to prevent other players from viewing adjacent machine displays.
3Ease of manufacture
If gaming machines use standardized fixed configurations, then ease of manufacture and deployment is improved, but entertainment value and player attraction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side panels incorporate rotational movement capability, allowing them to transition between a retracted position (parallel to cabinet sides) and an extended position (perpendicular to cabinet sides). This dynamic feature adds entertainment value and visual interest to an otherwise standardized cabinet design, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of standardized rotating joint components.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine includes one or more display devices within a cabinet and configured to display a wagering game. The gaming machine further includes a top-box device having a top-box display facing a player position in front of the cabinet. The top-box device has a primary surface defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges. The top-box device further has at least one side panel rotatably attached along one of the side edges of the top-box display and being movable between a plurality of positions in a range between a closed position and an open position.