Gaming Machines Take Haptic Feedback for a Spin

3M today announced that its next-generation surface capacitive touch technology has been incorporated in gaming machines built in central Europe for deployment worldwide.

3M's multi-sensory touch system offers games machine manufacturers and operators the chance to provide video-based, haptic feedback without mechanical buttons

Bracknell, UK, 26 July 2010 - Diversified technology company 3M today announced that its next-generation surface capacitive touch technology has been incorporated in gaming machines built in central Europe for deployment worldwide. Gold Club d.o.o. of Slovenia selected the 3M MicroTouch MCT System for many of their gaming machines, including their 22-inch multi-user electronic roulette tables, to provide a more responsive and immersive user experience. Gold Club has adopted this 3M touch solution for its own-built machines and selected it for externally-manufactured machines throughout its casino operations.

"As both an operator and manufacturer we want to deliver the best user experience to our customers," said Boštjan Stopar, General Manager of Gold Club. "We looked hard at the alternatives and the most powerful advantage was the strength of MicroTouch. MicroTouch is very nice for the user: it is fast, intuitive and has solved problems we have had in the past with mechanical integration and calibration."

Gold Club's experience highlights the key advantages of next-generation touch screen technology for the casino gaming industry, according to Francesco Fasoglio, business manager, 3M Touch Systems Division: "Game designers are looking for new ways to enhance players' gaming experience and keep them engaged for longer. Tactile feedback response, as embodied in our MCT System, enlivens the usual slot functions and heightens bonus round play experience. As well as replacing mechanical buttons on standalone machines, it's also ideal for multi-user games."

The 3M MicroTouch MCT System consists of an enhanced 3M MicroTouch Sensor SCT3256, a hybrid 3M MicroTouch Controller MX touch and haptic feedback electronics, and two or more touchscreen actuators, according to screen dimensions. This system provides haptic feedback effects for on-screen video buttons so users actually 'feel' like they are depressing mechanical buttons.

Haptic feedback effects are created when the user simultaneously sees a video button depress, hears an audio file of the mechanical 'click' and feels a vibration in the touch screen's glass surface. The user instinctively interprets the combination of these three sensations as pressing a mechanical button, when in reality they are simply touching a solid glass surface.

Gold Club's electronic roulette tables incorporate up to 10 touch screens all attached to a single main computer. The MCT System, with its 5.4ms minimum contact time and greater than 99 per cent positional accuracy, ensures fast response to finger input on multi-player games like roulette. Touch screen materials ensure 91.5 per cent light transmission (±1.5 per cent) for a crisp and vibrant display, and the robust 3M MicroTouch ClearTek surface coating provides optimal anti-glare properties. The scratch resistant top coat provides a smooth, easy glide touch surface.