Varying Thickness Armrest with Multi-Level Buttons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming terminals often compromise on player comfort and ease of play due to the standardization of button panels, which do not adapt to varying gaming experiences and can lead to discomfort and accidental button activations.
Innovation Solution
An armrest panel with varying thickness and integrated multi-level buttons, where buttons are positioned at different elevations and angles to enhance player comfort and reduce accidental activations, allowing for a more intuitive gaming experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard button panel is used in gaming terminals, then manufacturing is simplified and cost is reduced, but player comfort deteriorates and ease of operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest panel incorporates buttons at different elevations and positions tailored to specific player needs. The panel includes a first button at a first elevation and a second button at a second elevation, with the first elevation being higher than the second elevation relative to the interior surface of the support padding. This local variation in button positioning optimizes comfort and accessibility for different player hand sizes and playing styles.
2Ease of operation
If buttons are positioned at different elevations, then player comfort and ease of play are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The button panel is integrated directly into the armrest support padding structure. The support padding includes a plurality of integrated buttons, where the buttons are molded or embedded into the padding itself rather than being separate components. This merging of the button panel with the armrest structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the multi-elevation design for improved ease of play.
3Ease of operation
If a varying thickness armrest panel is used, then player comfort is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support padding features a varying wall thickness design where the thickness changes across different sections to optimize comfort. The wall thickness varies along a cross-section of the support padding, with thicker sections providing enhanced cushioning in areas requiring more support and thinner sections in areas where less padding is needed. This parameter change in thickness is achieved through molding techniques that vary the material distribution during manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system includes a display mounted to a cabinet and configured to display an outcome of a wagering game, the outcome being randomly selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager. The gaming system further includes an armrest panel mounted to the cabinet and including a support padding having a wall thickness defined by an exterior surface and an interior surface. The wall thickness varies along a cross-section of the support padding. The armrest panel further includes a plurality of buttons integrated in the support padding for receiving inputs from a player, the plurality of buttons including a first button mounted on a first elevation of the support padding and a second button mounted on a second elevation of the support padding. The first elevation is higher than the second elevation relative to the interior surface.