Protecting wagering game machines from electrostatic discharge

• US 8,821,299 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blair, Bruce H., Durham, Timothy J., Gill, Jeremy K., Rasmussen, James M., Voracek, Adam J., Salmeron, Francisco D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): HALL, SHAUNA-KAY N
• Application Number:
  US12/528,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20100099501A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,379 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 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 video associated with the wagering game;

a frame connected to the PCB to support the electronic display;

a conductive cover for covering the electronic display, wherein the conductive cover includes a window through which the electronic display is visible, and wherein the conductive cover is connected to the conductive coupling;

a switch actuator connected to the PCB; and

a cap in contact with the switch actuator, wherein the cap is configured to move with the switch actuator in response to pressure, and wherein the cap is configured to cover the conductive cover, and wherein the display device is visible through the cap.

2. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic display includes an organic light emitting diode display.

3. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive coupling includes a frame to support the electronic display, and wherein the conductive cover covers the frame.

4. The button assembly of claim 1 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.

5. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive cover covers the PCB.

6. The button assembly of claim 5, wherein the conductive cover includes a conductive window through which the electronic display is visible.

7. The button assembly of claim 1 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.

8. The button assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

an actuator connected to the PCB; and

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

9. 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 video display device connected to the second PCB;

a frame connected to the second PCB to support the display device;

a conductive cover connected to the frame and surrounding the video display device, wherein the conducive cover includes a window through which the video display device is visible,

a switch actuator connected to the second PCB ;

a cap in contact with the switch actuator, wherein the cap is configured to move with the switch actuator, and wherein the cap is configured to cover the video display device, and wherein the video display device is visible through the cap; and

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

10. The wagering game machine of claim 9, 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.

11. The wagering game machine of claim 10 further comprising:

a conductive liner disposed between the cap and the display.

12. The wagering game machine of claim 9, wherein the frame, the switch actuator, the conductive connector and the first PCB form a path to the electrical ground.

13. The wagering game machine of claim 9 further comprising:

a dielectric shroud covering the video display device and the second PCB.

14. The wagering game machine of claim 9 further comprising:

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

15. The wagering game machine of claim 9 further comprising:

a conductive shroud covering the video 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 conductive connector, and the first PCB form a path to the electrical ground.

16. The wagering game machine of claim 9 further comprising:

a spring coupled to the switch 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 switch actuator includes a conductive coating.

17. The wagering game machine of claim 9, wherein the video display device is configured to present information generated by the wagering game controller.

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

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

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

a video display device connected to the second PCB;

a frame connected to the second PCB to support the display device;

a conductive cover connected to the frame and surrounding the video display device, wherein the conducive cover includes a window through which the video display device is visible,

a switch actuator connected to the second PCB ;

a cap in contact with the switch actuator, wherein the cap is configured to move with the switch actuator, and wherein the cap is configured to cover the video display device, and wherein the video display device is visible through the cap; and

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

19. The button assembly of claim 18, 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.

20. The button assembly of claim 19 further comprising:

a conductive liner disposed between the cap and the video display device.

21. The button assembly of claim 18, wherein the frame, the switch actuator, the conductive connector and the first PCB form a path to the electrical ground.

22. The button assembly of claim 18 further comprising:

a dielectric shroud covering the video display device and the second PCB.

23. The button assembly of claim 18 further comprising:

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

24. The button assembly of claim 18 further comprising:

a conductive shroud covering the video 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 conductive connector, and the first PCB form a path to the electrical ground.

25. The button assembly of claim 18 further comprising:

a spring coupled to the switch 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 switch actuator includes a conductive coating.

26. The button assembly of claim 18, wherein the video display device is configured to present information generated by the wagering game controller.