Award Frequency Analysis Auditor for Gaming Machine Anomaly Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming machine auditing systems, particularly those based on Return To Player (RTP) metrics, face challenges with variable bet sizes, leading to increased false positives and delayed problem detection, especially when differentiating between normal and abnormal machine behavior.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an Inter-arrival Award Frequency Analysis (AFA) device that calculates statistical data on gaming machines, allowing for more accurate assessments and earlier detection of anomalies by focusing on the rate of occurrence of events irrespective of bet size, and enabling user-defined confidence intervals and alarm settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RTP-based auditing systems are used to monitor gaming machines, then they can track return to player metrics, but they produce increased false positives and delayed problem detection when dealing with variable bet sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter from RTP (Return to Player) based on monetary values to AFA (Award Frequency Analysis) based on event occurrence rates. This parameter transformation eliminates the sensitivity to variable bet sizes that causes false positives in RTP systems, while maintaining the ability to detect actual gaming machine anomalies through frequency-based statistical analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary statistical analysis layer that processes raw gaming data through AFA calculations before generating audit alerts. This intermediary processing step transforms direct monetary comparisons into frequency-based probability assessments, reducing false positives while preserving genuine problem detection capabilities
2Loss of time
If RTP-based systems monitor gaming machine performance, then they can assess overall return metrics, but they fail to detect problems early due to aggregation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary statistical analysis by establishing expected award frequency ranges and confidence intervals before actual gaming occurs. This pre-configured framework enables real-time comparison of actual award frequencies against predicted ranges, allowing early detection of anomalies as they emerge rather than waiting for aggregated RTP data to show deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the monitoring approach by analyzing individual award frequencies for different prize levels separately rather than aggregating all returns together. This segmentation allows early detection of specific problem types (e.g., jackpot frequency issues) without being masked by normal variation in other award categories, enabling faster targeted response
Data Source
AI summary
An award frequency analysis auditor is employed in wager based gaming systems and reduces the time necessary to detect award frequency and return to player that is out of a desired range. User configurable thresholds may be set with the auditor and user configurable actions may also be configured to be performed when the thresholds are reached. Increased accuracy and reduction of false positives are achieved.