Patent Abstract:
Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Described Implementations 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to gaming machines, and more particularly to input devices of gaming machines configured to impede the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing of the input device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many of today&#39;s gaming casinos and other entertainment locations feature different single and multi-player gaming systems such as slot machines and video poker machines. The gaming machines may include a number of hardware and software components to provide a wide variety of game types and game playing capabilities. Exemplary hardware components may include bill validators, coin acceptors, card readers, keypads, buttons, levers, touch screens, coin hoppers, ticket printers, player tracking units and the like. Software components may include, for example, boot and initialization routines, various game play programs and subroutines, credit and payout routines, image and audio generation programs, various component modules and a random or pseudo-random number generator, among others. 
         [0005]    Gaming machines are highly regulated to ensure fairness. In many cases, gaming machines may be operable to dispense monetary awards of a large amount of money. Accordingly, access to gaming machines is often carefully controlled. For example, in some jurisdictions, routine maintenance requires that extra personnel (e.g., gaming control personnel) be notified in advance and be in attendance during such maintenance. Additionally, gaming machines may have hardware and software architectures that differ significantly from those of general-purpose computers (PCs), even though both gaming machines and PCs employ microprocessors to control a variety of devices. For example, gaming machines may have more stringent security requirements and fault tolerance requirements. Additionally, gaming machines generally operate in harsher environments as compared with PCs. 
         [0006]    Gaming machines typically have input devices, such as push-buttons, to receive player inputs, e.g., to place a wager. A gaming machine with such devices may be susceptible to foreign contaminates getting into the machine and interfering with the proper operation of the gaming machine. For example, a player may spill liquids containing alcohol, sugar, etc. on the panel of the gaming machine, which may then enter the input device and cause the input device to stop working. An input device on an angled panel may be more susceptible to contamination due to its relative location and/or the accessibility of drinking containers to the player and the input device(s). 
         [0007]    The input device of the gaming machine may have a reduced tactile function and/or function. For example, the input device may become inoperable when the foreign contaminate enters the housing or other components of the input device. The inoperability may be caused by the foreign contaminate entering the area between a lens and a bezel of the input device. In such situations, the faulty input device is typically replaced by the casino operator. Modern input devices which include LCD or similar displays can be relatively expensive to replace. Besides the costs incurred by replacing a faulty input device, the casino operator also suffers a decline in income while the gaming machine is inoperable. These and other considerations have led to the evolution of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention solves the problem of foreign contaminants interfering with the operation of input devices of a gaming machine in a cost effective manner without hindering the normal operation of those input devices. According to various examples, an electronic gaming machine for playing an electronic wagering game is disclosed. The electronic gaming machine may include a gaming controller. The electronic gaming machine may also include a panel having a first side and a second side. The electronic gaming machine may include an input device mounted on the panel. The input device may include a housing, which may include a first section having a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is engaged against the panel on the first side of the panel. The input device may also include a second section having a top surface, wherein the top surface is engaged against the panel on the second side of a panel. The input device may also include a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller. The input device may further include a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing. 
         [0009]    According to one example implementation, an input device is disclosed. The input device may include a housing comprising a bottom wall having at least one upwardly extending side and a top surface connected to the at least one upwardly extending side. The input device may also include a lens mechanically coupled to the housing comprising of an upper and a lower lens, where the upper and lower lenses are welded together to create the lens, wherein the upper lens is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to a gaming controller and the lower lens is configured to move with the upper lens during actuation. The input device may also include a bezel surrounding the upper lens. The input device may further include electrical contacts electrically coupled to the upper lens to receive input. The input device may also include a flexible membrane attached to the upper lens and placed over the bezel, wherein the flexible membrane is provided within a channel between the upper and lower lens and is configured to allow movement with the actuation of the upper lens, to provide feedback to the player during actuation and to impede the entrance of foreign contaminates into the electrical contacts. 
         [0010]    According to another implementation, an apparatus for an electronic gaming machine to prevent the entrance of foreign objects is disclosed. The apparatus may include a housing comprising a first section, wherein the first section extends into an interior region of the electronic gaming machine, a second section, wherein the second section extends into an exterior of the electronic gaming machine. The apparatus may also include a member moveable with respect to the first and second sections. The apparatus may further include a membrane in contact with the first and second sections, wherein the membrane surrounds the moveable member to prevent the entrance of foreign objects into the electronic gaming machine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the descriptions, the drawings, and the claims, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a gaming machine, in accordance with a described implementation; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an input device in accordance with a described implementation; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an input device in accordance with a described implementation; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the input device of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with a described implementation; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the input device of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with a described implementation; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an input device in accordance with a described implementation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Numerous specific details may be set forth below to provide a thorough understanding of concepts underlying the described implementations. It may be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described implementations may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, some process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the underlying concept. 
         [0019]    Referring generally to the figures, a gaming machine, input device and components thereof are shown according to described implementations. Before discussing further details of the gaming device, the input device and/or the components thereof, it should be noted that references to “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” “inner,” “outer,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the Figures. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications. 
         [0020]    A spill-resistant edge-lit dynamic input device may improve the tactile function of the input device and/or reduce inoperability. The input device, disclosed herein, prevents foreign contaminates from entering the gap between the lens and the bezel of the input device while maintaining the visual effects of the edge-lit dynamic input device and the tactile feel for a player&#39;s enjoyment. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective drawing of an electronic gaming machine  102  is shown in accordance with described implementations. Gaming machine  102  may include a main cabinet  104 . Main cabinet  104  may provide a secure enclosure that prevents tampering with device components, such as a game controller and a coin hopper (not shown) located within the interior of main cabinet  104 . Main cabinet  104  may include an access mechanism, such as a door  106 , which allows the interior of gaming machine  102  to be accessed. Actuation of a door  106  may be controlled by a locking mechanism  114 . In some implementations, locking mechanism  114 , door  106 , and the interior of main cabinet  104  may be monitored with security sensors of various types to detect whether the interior has been accessed. For instance, a light sensor may be provided within main cabinet  104  to detect a change in light-levels when door  106  is opened and/or an accelerometer may be attached to door  106  to detect when door  106  is opened. 
         [0022]    Gaming machine  102  may include any number of user interface devices that convey sensory information to a user and/or receive input from the user. For example, gaming machine  102  may include a first electronic display  110 , a second electronic display  122 , speakers  126 , and/or a candle device  112  to convey information to the user of gaming machine  102 . Gaming machine  102  may also include a panel  124  having one or more input devices  134  (e.g., buttons, track pads, etc.) configured to receive input from a user. Panel  124  may include a first side and a second side. Input device(s)  134  may be mounted to panel  124 . 
         [0023]    In one implementation, display  110  may also be a touch screen display configured to receive input from a user. A gaming controller (not shown) within gaming machine  102  may run a game, such as a wager-based game, in response to receiving input from a user via input devices  134  or display  110 . For example, input devices  134  may be operated to place a wager in the game and to run the game. In response, the gaming controller may cause second electronic display  122 , which may include electro-mechanical reels, to spin, such as with a slot game, and/or display  110  to display the results of the game. 
         [0024]    Gaming machine  102  may also include devices for conducting a wager-based game. For example, gaming machine  102  may include a coin acceptor  132 , a printer  120 , a bill acceptor  116 , and a coin tray  136 . Gaming machine  102  may receive physical money and/or tokens via coin acceptor  132  and bill acceptor  116  and dispense physical money or tokens via coin tray  136 . Gaming machine  102  may convert received money or tokens into game credits, which may be used within the gaming establishment in lieu of money. In some cases, gaming machine  102  may also receive and dispense credits. For example, printer  120  may print a ticket for larger payouts that can be redeemed for physical money. In some cases, bill acceptor  116  may be configured to redeem a payout ticket in the form of game credits. Such a configuration may allow a user to transfer credits between gaming machines. According to various implementations, gaming machine  102  may record data regarding its receipt and/or disbursement of money or credit. Gaming machine  102  may provide such accounting data to a remote repository. 
         [0025]    The input devices  134  are exemplified by input device  300  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Input device  300  includes moveable push button member  303   = which moves up and down relative to and within an interior of inner housing  307  ( FIG. 4 ). Spring  321  ( FIG. 4 ) is positioned on top of an annular lip  322  of the inner housing  307  and underneath an annular ledge  324  of the push button member. The spring  321  exerts an upward force on the push button member  303  and maintains the push button member  303  in an un-pressed upper-most state as shown in  FIG. 4 . The upward movement of the push button member  303  is limited by a catch  326  coming into contact with the annular lip  322 . When a user pushes down on the push button member  303  the force of the spring  321  is overcome and the push button member  303  moves downward within the inner housing  307  until a lower portion of the push button member exterior wall  328  comes into contact with a peripheral portion  330  of the annular lip  322 . The input device  300  is activated using known techniques when the push button member  303  is pressed by the user. 
         [0026]    Push button member  303  may provide a lens  302  for an illuminated display. The illuminated display may display an image, a video, etc. The player may play a game as directed by the illuminated display. The illuminated display may include an LCD (liquid crystal display), TFT (thin film transistor), plasma, OLED (organic light emitting diode), or LED display. The illuminated display may include graphics from the game, such as directions. Furthermore, content that may have been displayed elsewhere may be displayed on push button member  303 . 
         [0027]    As best shown by section  320  in  FIG. 5 , the push button member exterior wall  328  is separated from the inner housing  307  by small gap  330  (not shown to scale) to prevent frictional contact between the exterior wall  328  and the housing  307  from impeding the movement of the push button member  303 . Previously known input devices tend to become faulty or inoperable when foreign contaminants are introduced into a similar gap between the moving and stationary portions of the input device. In a significant departure from previously known input devices, the gap  330  is protected from foreign contaminates by a membrane  304  which insulates the gap  330  from such contaminates poured or introduced onto the input device  300  from above. While the implementation of  FIG. 5  shows exterior wall  328  and inner housing  307  spaced apart by small gap  300 , according to another implementation, there may not be a gap  330 , for example, exterior wall  328  and inner housing  307  may be in friction contact. 
         [0028]    A first end  304   a  of the membrane  304  is retained within the lens  302  of the push button member  303  and moves with the push button member  303  when the push button member  303  is depressed. Lens  302  may include an upper and a lower lens that may be welded together to create lens  302 . In some implementations, the upper and lower lens may be ultra-sonically welded together. The upper lens may be actuated (e.g., pressed) by a player to provide input to a gaming controller, while the lower lens may be configured to move with the upper lens during actuation. 
         [0029]    A first end  304   a  of the membrane  304  is retained within the lens  302  of the push button member  303  and moves with the push button member  303  when the push button member  303  is depressed.—A second end  304   b  of the membrane  304  is attached to an underside portion of the bezel  314  and remains stationary. The membrane  304  is flexible and deforms slightly from the shown orientation when the push button member  303  is depressed. The membrane  304  may be constructed and installed such that the membrane  304  biases the push button member  303  in the upper-most position in conjunction with the upward force on the push button member  303  provided by the spring  321 . 
         [0030]    The first end  304   a  of the membrane  304  has a cross-sectional L-shape and fits within a corresponding cross-sectional L-shaped recess  332  formed within the lens  302 . The lens  302  may be formed from an upper lens  302   a  and a lower lens  302   b,  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Upper lens  302   a  and lower lens  302   b  may be joined together at lens joint  334  using sonic welding or other joining techniques after the first end  304   a  of the membrane  304  has been inserted into position as shown. Once the upper lens  302   a  and the lower lens  302   b  are joined together with the first end  304   a  of the membrane  304  within the recess  332 , the membrane becomes permanently attached to the lens  302 . The cross-sectional L-shape of the first end  302   a  of the membrane  304  significantly reduces the possibility that liquid or other contaminants will gain access underneath the membrane  304  around the first end  304   a  of the membrane  304  because those contaminants would have to travel up and around the first end  304   a  within the recess  332 . 
         [0031]    Membrane contact areas  336   a  and  336   b  on the upper and lower lens  302   a  and  302   b,  respectively, may also lightly compress the membrane after the upper and lower lens  302   a  and  302   b  have been joined together. This light compression by the contact areas  336   a  and  336   b  helps to retain the first end  304   a  of the membrane within the lens  302  as well as creating an effective seal between the membrane  304  and the lens  302 . 
         [0032]    The second end  304   b  of the membrane  304  is attached to the bottom portion of the bezel  314  as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the input device is installed on a panel of the gaming machine  102  ( FIG. 1 ), the second end  304   b  of the membrane  304  is pressed between the bottom portion of the bezel  314  and the panel  124  ( FIG. 1 ). This pressing of the second end  304   b  of the membrane  304  not only secures the second end  304   b  in place, but also creates a seal between the input device  300  and the panel. A recess  315  formed in the bottom portion of the bezel  314  creates an interference fit that further contributes to the retention of the second end  304   b  between the bezel  314  and the panel. 
         [0033]    Membrane  304  may be welded or otherwise to upper portion of lens  302  and placed over bezel  314 . Membrane  304  may be provided within a channel between the upper portion of lens  302  and a lower portion of lens  302 . Membrane  304  may be configured to allow movement with actuation of the upper portion of lens  302 . Membrane  304  may be in contact with the first and second section of outer housing  306 . Membrane  304  may have a first end  304   a  that moves with lens  302  during actuation and a second end  304   b  that remains fixed during actuation, e.g., pressed against the panel of the gaming machine. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an input device in accordance with a described implementation. Outer housing  306  may include a first section that extends into an interior region of the electronic gaming machine. Outer housing  306  may include a second section that extends into an exterior of the electronic gaming machine. 
         [0035]    Outer housing  306  may include a first section having a bottom wall  309 . Bottom wall  309  may define an open space therein for receiving electrical contacts and locking assembly  308 . Bottom wall  309  may include at least one upwardly extending side. Bottom wall  309  may also include a top surface connected to the at least one upwardly extending side. Locking assembly  308 -may secure electrical contacts via inner housing  307  to outer housing  306 . Locking assembly  308  may include one or more locking members, such as spiral ridges, projections, tabs, etc. that couple locking assembly  308  to outer housing  306 . The projections may couple input device  300  to the panel. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a threaded portion and a nut are components of the locking assembly. In another implementations, locking assembly  308  may include a snap fit, friction fit (press fit), fastener, adhesive, etc. Other appropriate locking assemblies may be used to couple the electrical contacts via inner housing  307  to outer housing  306 , which couples the input device to a panel of the gaming device. 
         [0036]    In some implementations, outer housing  306  may include a first section having bottom wall  309 . Bottom wall  309  may be engaged against a first side of a panel of a gaming machine. Outer housing  306  may include a second section having a top surface (not shown). The top surface may be engaged against a second side of the panel. A sufficient pressure/clamping force may be used to compress the membrane so the face of the panel is in contact to form a contaminate-resistant seal. 
         [0037]    The construction and arrangement of the elements of the figures as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. The elements and assemblies may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0038]    To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display), OLED (organic light emitting diode), TFT (thin-film transistor), plasma, other flexible configuration, or any other monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard, a pointing device, e.g., a mouse, trackball, etc., or a touch screen, touch pad, etc., by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending webpages to a web browser on a user&#39;s client device in response to requests received from the web browser. 
         [0039]    While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0040]    Thus, particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7