Electronic gaming device with deck-mounted touchscreen

• US 6,201,532 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Powerhouse Technologies, Inc. (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Tode, Jess, Wynn, Bill, Wilson, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Dennis-Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): AWAD, AMR A
• Application Number:
  US09/107,627
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: D14/130, D21/37, D21/327, 345/156, 361/173, 361/681, 463/34, 463/46, 248/917-925
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

An electronic gaming device is provided that has a cabinet. Within the cabinet is mounted an electronic display device. A deck is pivotally mounted to the cabinet. The deck has an opening therein which is located generally above the display device. A touchscreen is sealingly mounted to the deck within the opening so that the touchscreen is located generally above the display device. The deck may be pivoted away from the cabinet while the touchscreen is sealingly mounted within the deck. This allows the seal between the touchscreen and the deck to be preserved while the deck is pivoted away from the cabinet.

Claims

1. An electronic gaming device, comprising:

a cabinet;

an electronic display mounted within said cabinet;

a deck having a front portion and a rear portion, said deck being pivotally coupled to said cabinet to allow a pivoting movement relative to said cabinet and said display, said deck having an opening therein located generally above said display; and

a touchscreen sealingly mounted to said deck within said opening;

wherein said deck is adapted to be pivoted away from said cabinet and said display while said touchscreen is sealingly mounted within said deck, thereby maintaining the seal between the touchscreen and the deck while said deck is pivoted away from said cabinet and said display.

2. The electronic gaming device of claim 1, further comprising a bezel coupled to said deck above said touchscreen.

3. The electronic gaining device of claim 2, wherein said front portion has an arm rest coupled thereto, said armrest having a recessed section that is recessed towards the rear portion.

4. The electronic gaming device of claim 3, wherein the deck has a first side and a second side, and wherein said opening and said touchscreen each have a center line nearer to said first side than said second side, said recessed section being centered about the center line of said opening and said touchscreen.

5. The electronic gaming device of claim 2, further comprising a first seal disposed between said bezel and said deck about said opening and a second seal disposed between said touchscreen and said bezel about the perimeter of said touchscreen.

6. The electronic gaming device of claim 5, further comprising a support coupled to said deck, said support acting to support said touchscreen within said opening, and a cushioning seal disposed between said touchscreen and said support, said cushioning seal acting to evenly distribute the mounting pressures placed upon said touchscreen.

7. The electronic gaming device of claim 2, wherein said deck and said display screen are angled upwardly from said front portion to said rear portion.

8. The electronic gaming device of claim 7, wherein said angle is generally between 35 degrees and 42 degrees.

9. The electronic gaming device of claim 8, wherein said touchscreen is generally planar.

10. A user interface for an electronic gaming device utilizing an electronic display screen, comprising:

a deck having a front portion and a rear portion, said deck having an opening therein that can be located generally above said display screen;

a touchscreen mounted to said deck within said opening; and

a bezel coupled to said deck above said touchscreen;

wherein said bezel and said touchscreen are sealingly mounted to said deck to prevent liquid communication through said opening;

wherein said deck is adapted to be pivotally coupled to said gaming device so that when said deck and said touchscreen are be pivoted away from said cabinet and said display screen the seal between the touchscreen and the deck, and the bezel and the deck is maintained.

11. The user interface of claim 10, wherein said front portion has an arm rest coupled thereto, said armrest having a recessed section that is recessed towards the rear portion.

12. The user interface of claim 11, wherein the deck has a first side and a second side, and wherein said opening and said touchscreen each have a center line nearer to said first side than said second side, said recessed section being centered about the center line of said opening and said touchscreen.

13. The user interface of claim 10, further comprising a first seal disposed between said bezel and said deck about said opening and a second seal disposed between said touchscreen and said bezel about the perimeter of said touchscreen.

14. The user interface of claim 13, further comprising a support coupled to said deck, said support acting to support said touchscreen within said opening, and a cushioning seal disposed between said touchscreen and said support, said cushioning seal acting to evenly distribute the mounting pressures placed upon said touchscreen.

15. The user interface of claim 10, wherein said deck is coupled to the gaming device so that it is angled upwardly from said front portion to said rear portion.

16. The user interface of claim 15, wherein said angle is generally between 35 degrees and 42 degrees.

17. The user interface of claim 16, wherein said touchscreen is generally planar.