PROTECTING WAGERING GAME MACHINES FROM ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE

• US 20100099501A1
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Gill, Jeremy K., Salmeron, Francisco D., Voracek, Adam J., Blair, Bruce H., Rasmussen, James M., Durham, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,821,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/46
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

Techniques for protecting wagering game machines from electrostatic discharge are described herein. In some embodiment, a wagering game machine includes a wagering game controller configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered. The wagering game machine can also include a button panel that includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) connected to an electrical ground and a second PCB connected to the first PCB by a conductive connector. The button panel can also include a display device connected to the second PCB, an actuator connected to the second PCB, a cap in contact with the actuator, wherein the display device is visible through the cap, and a bezel to retain the cap, where the bezel is coupled to a panel.

Claims

1. A wagering game machine comprising:

a wagering game controller configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

one or more buttons configured to generate input for use in association with the wagering games, each of the one or more buttons including,

an electronic display configured to display information associated with the wagering games;

a cap through which the electronic display device is visible; and

a conductive bezel configured to contain the cap.

2. The wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more buttons further include:

a conductive liner disposed between the cap and the electronic display, wherein the liner is connected to a grounded panel, and wherein a surface of the cap includes static dissipative material.

3. The wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein a surface of the cap includes static dissipative material.

4. The wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the cap is constructed of dielectric material.

5. The wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic display includes one or more selected from the group comprising an organic light emitting diode display, a liquid crystal display, and a plasma display.

6. The wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the conductive bezel is coated with conductive material.

7. A button assembly configured to generate input for use in association with a wagering game, the button assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to an electrical ground path;

an electronic display connected to the PCB by a conductive coupling, wherein the electronic display is configured to display information associated with the wagering game;

a conductive cover for covering the electronic display, wherein conductive cover is connected to the conductive coupling.

8. The button assembly of claim 7, wherein the electronic display includes an organic light emitting diode display.

9. The button assembly of claim 7, wherein the conductive coupling includes a frame to support the electronic display, and wherein the conductive cover covers the frame.

10. The button assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

a first shield backing the PCB;

a second shield backing another PCB, wherein the first and second shields are connected to the electrical ground path.

11. The button assembly of claim 7, wherein the conductive cover covers the PCB.

12. The button assembly of claim 11, wherein the conductive cover includes a conductive window through which the electronic display is visible.

13. The button assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

a connector header to connect the PCB to another PCB, wherein the ground path runs through the connector header and the other PCB.

14. The button assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

an actuator connected to the PCB; and

a cap for actuating the actuator, wherein the electronic display is visible through the cap.

15. A wagering game machine comprising:

a wagering game controller configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

a button panel including,

a first printed circuit board (PCB) connected to an electrical ground;

a second PCB connected to the first PCB by a conductive connector;

a display device connected to the second PCB;

an actuator connected to the second PCB;

a cap in contact with the actuator, wherein the display device is visible through the cap; and

a bezel to retain the cap, wherein the bezel is coupled to a panel.

16. The wagering game machine of claim 15, wherein the cap includes static dissipative material, and wherein the bezel includes a conductive material, and wherein the panel is connected to an electrical ground.

17. The wagering game machine of claim 16 further comprising:

a conductive liner disposed between the cap and the display.

18. The wagering game machine of claim 15 further comprising:

a frame to support the display device, wherein the frame includes a conductive window through which the display device is visible, and wherein the frame is connected to the second PCB.

19. The wagering game machine of claim 18, wherein the frame, the actuator, the connector and the first PCB form a path to the electrical ground.

20. The wagering game machine of claim 15 further comprising:

a dielectric shroud covering the display device and the second circuit board.

21. The wagering game machine of claim 15 further comprising:

a flexible conductive cover disposed between the display device and the cap.

22. The wagering game machine of claim 15 further comprising:

a conductive shroud covering the display device and the first and second PCBs, wherein the conductive shroud and the second PCB form a path to the electrical ground, and wherein the conductive shroud, the connector, and the first PCB form a path to the electrical ground.

23. The wagering game machine of claim 15 further comprising:

a spring coupled to the actuator and the first PCB, wherein the spring is electrically connected to the electrical ground, wherein the cap is constructed of static dissipative material, wherein the actuator includes a conductive coating.

24. The wagering game machine of claim 15, wherein the display device is configured to present information generated by the wagering game controller.