WO2010058208A1

WO2010058208A1 - Amusement machine and push button assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2010058208A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/051555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Borja Schuhmacher; James Cove
Original assignee: Gamesman Limited
Priority date: 2008-11-18
Filing date: 2009-11-17
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Also published as: GB0821067D0; GB2465472A; GB0920092D0

Abstract

An amusement machine provided with a mechanical input device, such as a push button (11), enabling a user to make a first input to the machine, and a proximity sensor (13) which enables a user to make a second input to the machine. The proximity sensor may be an infra red proximity sensor. The proximity sensor and the push button may be provided in a single push button assembly, or separately. An input made via the proximity sensor may be operative to modify the appearance of the illuminated push button assembly and/or the effect on the machine of operating the push button.

Description

Amusement Machine And Push Button Assembly

The present invention relates to an amusement machine and to a push button assembly.

Amusement machines, including gaming machines, are provided with push buttons to enable users to make inputs to the machine. Typically the push button is arranged to operate a microswitch.

User feedback when operating a push button is important and mechanical switches have tended to be preferred. They are, however, prone to wear through repeated use. With a view to attracting users to amusement machines, push buttons are often illuminated and may include an illuminated bezel and/or an illuminated screen which enables the appearance of the push button to be changed.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the desire to increase attractiveness of amusement machines as well as problems associated with conventional push button assemblies.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an amusement machine comprising a user operable mechanical input device for providing a first input to the machine and a proximity sensor for providing a second input to the machine.

A proximity sensor enables a user to make an input to the machine without contacting the machine, for example by moving their hand over the sensor. Providing both a mechanical input device and a proximity sensor allows for a novel and more pleasing way for the user to interact with the machine. This may serve to attract a user to a machine and may increase enjoyment in using the machine as well as extending the types of games which can be played on the machine.

Provision of the proximity sensor for providing an input to the amusement machine may allow for reduced use, and therefore wear, of the mechanical input device. The mechanical input device may be a push button. The push button and proximity sensor may be incorporated into a single assembly.

Therefore and in accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a push button assembly comprising a push button and a proximity sensor.

The proximity sensor may be any suitable sensor which can detect proximity of an object, such as a user's hand, without physical contact. The proximity sensor may produce or modify an electrical output depending upon the proximity of a hand or other object. The sensor may comprise a transmission means for transmitting radiation and a detecting means for detecting radiation. The radiation may be electromagnetic radiation and, in particular, infra red radiation. Suitable detection means for use in the proximity sensor include magnetic sensors, photo cells, laser sensors, infra red sensors and optical sensors. In one embodiment the proximity sensor comprises an infra red device that can detect the proximity of an object that breaks an infra red beam or causes a reflection back onto the sensor. The range of detection of the proximity sensor should be chosen depending upon the intended application. For an amusement machine it is envisaged that a range of a few centimetres is sufficient. This avoids unintentional activation of the proximity sensor.

A flange or beEel may surround the push button and the proximity sensor may be disposed in the flange or bezel. Where a push button and proximity sensor are provided separately they may be spaced apart on an amusement machine.

A plurality of proximity sensors and/or mechanical input devices such as push buttons may be provided. Where a plurality of proximity sensors employ radiation to detect proximity each sensor may employ a different frequency to avoid interference with the other sensors. The or each proximity sensor may be associated with a push button, or other mechanical input device. Two or more proximity sensors may be associated with a single push button or other mechanical input device. Operation of a proximity sensor may be arranged to cause the effect of operation of an associated push button or other mechanical input device to change. The input produced by a proximity sensor may be arranged to vary in dependence of the distance of a user's hand or other object causing operation of the sensor from the sensor.

The mechanical input device may include an illumination means. Operation of an associated proximity sensor may be arranged to cause the output of the illumination means to change. For example, as a user's hand approaches a mechanical input device and its associated proximity sensor this may cause the mechanical input device to illuminate and/or its colour to change and/or information it displays to change.

In one arrangement a mechanical input device is associated with a proximity sensor. Operation of the proximity sensor changes the effect of operation of the mechanical input device by indexing through a range of functions, In another such arrangement two proximity sensors are associates with the mechanical input device, operation of one proximity sensor indexes in one direction through a list of available functions, and operation of the other proximity sensor indexes in the other direction through the list of functions, for example, increasing or decreasing the number of lines that a player wishes to bet, by operation of the mechanical input device, in a reel based game. The number of lines to be played may be indicated on a display and the display may be incorporated into the mechanical input device.

An electrical current or signal produced by the proximity sensor upon actuation may be transmitted to a control unit. The control unit may be comprised as part of the push button assembly, or may alternatively be located in the amusement machine and receive signals from both the proximity sensor and mechanical input device.

The proximity sensor may comprise one detector with associated transmission means. Alternatively, said proximity sensor may comprise a plurality of detectors each associated with separate transmission means. In this respect, each detector may provide a single output or the output of the detectors may be combined. The proximity sensor may be arranged to cause the same effect as operation of the mechanical input device.

The proximity sensor may comprise a filter to filter interference from other proximity sensors.

Operation of the proximity sensor may be arranged to affect lighting, animation, sound, vibration or any other output of the amusement machine or push button assembly, and the output may variably depend upon the distance of a user's hand is from the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be used to navigate or control a menu within the amusement machine.

The proximity sensor may be capable of allowing the user to perform a variety of functions on the amusement machine. The proximity sensor may be used to activate an autoplay feature of an amusement machine such that once autoplay is activated, a player can simply cover the proximity sensor to keep the machine playing. With a conventional push button, players may attempt to jam the push button down to achieve the same effect, for example by using cards or keys, which can cause damage to the push button. The proximity sensor may be used to activate secondary lighting of a push button like an edge illuminated section, or halo, or multiple LEDs arranged in an array around the edge of the button. As the player's hand is placed closer to the sensor it could cause animation of a halo array to speed up.

The proximity sensor means may be used to activate or control an animation displayed on a screen, such as an OLED or LCD display, incorporated into a push button.

The proximity sensor may be used to change the text or picture within a configurable push button to show different information to a player. This could be used to confirm the actions that the player is about to perform. The feature and could be used as a game itself, where the player may play a game of skill by running his hand across a plurality of spaced apart proximity sensors buttons to follow a sequence of illumination on the amusement machine.

Operation of the proximity sensor may identify a ree! mechanism in a reel based amusement machine associated with the proximity sensor or a push button associated with the proximity sensor causing the reel to wobble or nudging the reel. This may provide enhanced entertainment in games where the player has to hold the reels, so the player may be prompted that a particular reel about to be selected would be held, the player could then confirm by pressing a push button associated with the reel.

The proximity sensor may provide an attract feature when the gaming machine is not in play mode. A potential player could trigger the proximity sensor which may cause illumination of button or other displays on the gaming machine. This may also include starting a sequence within the game machine to prepare it for game play, which may include display of information about the game or other advertising.

Where a plurality of proximity sensors are provided on an amusement machine, the machine may be arranged so that when the sensors are activated in a predetermined sequence not readily displayed on the amusement machine offers the player extra features or bonus items. This may take place either at the start or during game play. Whilst a push button is in a first state a light behind the push button may show a respective colour (e.g. white). On activation of an associated proximity sensor by a player the push button may be placed in a second, activated, state. This change of state may also be accompanied by an associated colour change (e.g. white to red). Upon pressing the push button whilst the proximity sensor is activated by the user may put the push button in to a third state with a further associated colour change (e.g. red to green) which is maintained as long as the proximity sensor is activated.

This latching effect may be used to control an auto play function or other feature of an amusement machine.

In one embodiment a push button assembly comprises a housing bounded by a flange, the housing being insertable through an aperture in a panel with the flange on an outer side thereof, a fixing means for fixing the housing relative to the panel, a switch comprised in said housing, a push button movably mounted within the housing and flange structure and capable of actuating the switch.

The housing may comprise a hollow tubular body such as a cylindrical body open at opposite ends. The housing may have a generally open square frame structure comprising side wall structures with the flange structure mounted at one end. Alternatively the frame structure may be generally rectangular, circular, or polygonal in shape.

The housing may comprise an actuating structure which is in contact with the push button and switch, and which acts to actuate said switch on operation of the push button. The housing may provide abutments for supporting said actuating structure. One of the side walls of the housing may be generally open to provide access to the interior of the housing.

The housing may provide electrostatic protection to any circuitry within said housing by providing "grounding members" which make contact with a ground component, such as a panel, into which the assembly is fitted. In this respect, an amusement machine housing may have low conductivity properties or there may be a printed "circuit" which leads across the panel to the housing which is grounded itself or which has an earthing/grounding component fixed thereto. This prevents spurious and fraudulent actuation of the push button.

The grounding members may comprise, for example, carbon conductive structures or other suitable conductive structures. In this respect, the flange may also be conductive and preferably comprises a carbon conductive material.

The housing may have terminals which project downwardly for connection to the appropriate circuitry in a machine in which the push button assembly is installed.

A fixing means comprising one or more clips may be provided on one or more of the side wall structures of the housing, and engageable with one or more holes provided in the panel. There may be pairs of spring clips on the outer sides of some or all opposing side wall structures of the housing. The or each clip may be engageable with the aperture for the housing, or a hole separate thereto.

When fitted to an amusement machine, the push button assembly may be mounted on a panel of the machine. The panel may be a glass, plastics, metal, or other panel. On insertion of the housing frame of the assembly through an aperture in the panel the aforesaid spring clip or clips may spring outwards into position on the underside of the panel. This results in the flange and the push button being to the exterior of the panel, and the rest of the housing being below the panel,

A flange may be arranged around the edge of the push button. The flange may be a peripheral flange, for example a flange around the housing thereby defining a border around the push button. The flange may be fixed to the housing by any suitable means, and may snap fit on the housing. The flange and the housing may be integral. The flange may have outwardly inclined side walls which taper towards the top free end.

The flange may be light-transmitting. The flange may provide an illuminable boundary, and may be illuminated by an illumination means disposed therein. The illumination means may be in the form of multiple LEDs on a printed circuit board.

The illumination means may be located within a peripheral part separate from the flange, preferably beneath the flange, to produce the boundary illumination through such part which is thereby appropriately light transmitting. In this case the flange need not be light transmitting, and may be opaque thereby to define a non-illuminable boundary between the button and the illuminable boundary.

The flange and the aforesaid peripheral part may be of any suitable shape and thus may be generally ring shaped of circular or square or rectangular conformation, and may be the same as or different from the cross-sectional shape of the aforesaid tubular body of the housing. The illumination means may comprise a series of discrete LEDs. These may be provided on a printed circuit board.

The illumination means may comprise a plurality of independently operable LEDs, which may be operable together in a static or flashing arrangement to give the effect of a "halo" around the push button. Alternatively the LEDs may be operable in any sequence to display points of light around the boundary of the flange. The illumination means may be arranged around the underside of the push button to illuminate the flange around the push button. The illumination means may be fixed directly to the housing, or to an independent moulding, or to an underside of the button mounting panel This LED board could also mount the micro switch and or other devices for the assembly.

This provides an additional illumination arrangement where the boundary around the push button may be lit alone or with the lamp to indicate a different button status. Additionally or alternatively the illumination of the boundary may be operable in a non- play mode to attract players. The illumination means may be an electroluminescent film or wire. The electroluminescent film or wire may be enclosed within or embedded in the aforesaid peripheral part.

In an alternative embodiment the film or wire may be located in a groove provided around the periphery of the flange or the peripheral part. A single electroluminescent wire may be used to provide a continuous closed loop illumination path.

The illumination means may emit white or coloured light when energised and may be arranged to emit a single coloured or multicoloured line of light to the boundary.

The push button may comprise a switch actuating structure, mounted upon which is a translucent cover part and a translucent cap or lenscap. The translucent cap may have an upwardly convex domed top wall with downwardly projecting edge walls. The cover part may have a projection on its lower surface for interaction with spring members. The cover part and the cap may be the same in shape as the frame structure of the housing.

Alternatively, the cover part and the cap may be the same shape as the opening provided by the flange. The push button may comprise a cap which projects beyond an open top end of the housing and is movable within limits into and out of the housing.

Typical push button assemblies may have a single switch that is operated when the push button is pressed. In most cases the buttons have a printed insert that carries a message or function of the button such as "Start", "Win" or "Deal". The push button assembly of the present invention may also be used for push buttons with are adapted to have a variable display. This may be particularly advantageous where the push buttons might need to display different messages at different times during a game or change completely to reflect a new game style. These configurable buttons can be OLED, LCD or other display types. In particular, variable display push buttons may be present in gaming machines which are associated with a remote sever where games are downloaded from the server to the gaming machine.

The switch may be a standard type micro switch typically used for push buttons for gaming machines. Alternative switches may selected from membrane switches, touch screen membranes mounted to the external surface of the push button, capacitive membranes mounted below the external surface of the push button, tactile force feedback devices (haptic devices), optic switches, or hall effect switches. It will be understood that the push button assembly of the present invention is not limited to use in any particular field, and it is envisaged that the assembly may be applied as desired. It is envisaged that the push button assembly may be particularly suited to use in the gaming industry, and in particular for use in gaming or amusement machines such as fruit machines.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a top schematic view of a push button assembly of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the push button assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the push button assembly of Figure 2 installed in a panel of a gaming machine;

Figure 4 shows a further schematic perspective view of the push button assembly of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of a push button assembly having two proximity actuation devices; and Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of a push button assembly with a proximity actuation device separate from the housing. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a top view push button assembly (10) of the present invention. The push button assembly (10) has a push button (11) which is surrounded by a flange (12). The flange (12) contains infra red sensors (13) which can detect the presence of an object or person's hand as it passes above the sensors (13). Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a side schematic view of the push button assembly (10) of Figure 1 installed in a panel (14) of a gaming machine. The assembly

(10) comprises a housing (16) which is arranged below the panel surface (14) such that the housing (16) is not visible to the user during use of the assembly (10). The flange

(11) containing the infra red sensors (13) and the top surface of the push button (U) are arranged such that they are proud of the panel surface (14), and both visible to the user in normal use of the assembly (10),

The housing (16) contains a first switch which is a mechanical switch, and which may be actuated by the user pressing the push button (11). Additionally, the housing (16) contains a second switch which is actuated by the user passing their hand (17) above the infra red sensors (13) as shown. The housing (16) also has an electrical connector (15) in order to connect the assembly (10) to a control unit (not shown) located within the gaming machine.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a perspective schematic view of the push button assembly (10) as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Again, shown are the top of the push button (1 1) and the surrounding flange (12). The surrounding flange (12) contains the infra red sensors (13) on one side of the flange (12). The infra red sensors (13) are embedded in to the flange (12) to prevent damage to the sensors (13) and also to provide a filter such that the sensors (13) oniy detect movement directly above rather than to the sides. Effectively, by embedding the sensors within bores in the flange their field of operation is narrowed.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a further schematic perspective view of the push button assembly (10) of Figure 3. Figure 4 further shows the flange (12) cutaway around the proximity sensors (13). The sensors (13) are shown embedded in to the flange

(12).

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a push button assembly (50). The assembly (50) has a push button (51) with a flange (52) arranged around the button (51) periphery. The flange has two proximity sensors (53 & 55) arranged at opposing sides of the flange (52). These proximity sensors (53 & 55) are used to control the main function of the button. For example the button might display, with an OLED display screen disposed on or under the surface of the button and visible to a player, the number of lines that the player wants to bet during the game, if the top sensor (55) is triggered then this value would go up and if the bottom sensor (53) is triggered the value would go down.

The gaming machine contains a control unit having a processor and memory, and software therein to define actions in response to actuation of the sensors (53 & 55). The software in the control unit can determine whether the top (55) or bottom (53) sensors are triggered first so it can thereby determine the direction of the movement of the player's hand (54).

The sensors (53 & 55) are set to operate at different frequencies so they do not interfere with each other, or with signals from the other sensors on neighbouring buttons. This allows for the game system to control which sensor (53 & 55) should be active at any time.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a push button assembly (60) having a proximity sensor (63). The assembly (60) has a button (61) and a flange (62) arranged around the button (61) periphery. The proximity sensors (63) are arranged outside the flange (62) unlike the embodiments shown in Figure 1 to 5. The sensors (63) are actuated by the movement of a user's hand (64) above the sensors (63). The proximity sensors (63) therefore operate in the same way as those previously described in Figures 1 to 5. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details of the above embodiments, which are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An amusement machine comprising a user operable mechanical input device for providing a first input to the machine and a proximity sensor for providing a second input to the machine.

2. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanical input device is a push button.

3. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the push button forms part of a push button assembly, and the proximity sensor is comprised in the push button assembly.

4. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the push button assembly comprises a flange or bezel surrounding the push button and the proximity sensor is disposed in the flange or bezel.

5. An amusement machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the proximity sensor comprises a transmission means for transmitting radiation and a detection means for detecting radiation.

6. An amusement machine as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of proximity sensors.

7. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 6 when dependent on claim 5 wherein each proximity sensor is arranged to emit a different frequency of radiation, to avoid interference between the sensors.

8. An amusement machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each proximity sensor is associated with a mechanical input device.

9. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein two or more proximity sensors are associated with a mechanical input device.

10. An amusement machine as claimed in either claim 8 or 9 wherein operation of the or each proximity sensor by a user causes the appearance of its associated mechanical input device to change.

1 1. An amusement machine as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 wherein operation of the or each proximity sensor causes the effect of operation of its associated input device on the amusement machine to change.

12. An amusement machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the input produced by the proximity sensor varies in dependence on the distance of the object causing operation of the sensor from the sensor.

13. A push button assembly comprising a push button and a proximity sensor.

14. A push button assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the proximity sensor comprises a transmission means for transmitting radiation and a detection means for detecting radiation.

15. A push button assembly as claimed in either claim 13 or 14 wherein the assembly comprises a flange or bezel surrounding a push button and the proximity sensor is disposed in the flange or bezel.

16. A push button assembly as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15 comprising a plurality of proximity sensors.

17. A push button assembly as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16 comprising an illumination means and wherein operation of the proximity sensor causes the output of the illumination means to change.