Centralized Application Version Control for Gaming Device Populations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming centers face challenges in managing limited storage space on devices, leading to labor-intensive reconfiguration and potential compatibility issues due to different software versions across devices, which affects fair competition and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a controller to manage and update applications across a population of devices, ensuring all devices have the same software version by disabling, updating, and re-enabling applications in a coordinated manner, with the ability to distribute updates through peer-to-peer exchange to conserve network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If games and applications are stored locally on each computing device, then the device can execute the application independently, but the storage space is limited and manual reconfiguration is required when updates are released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application executable files from local device storage and relocates them to a centralized server. Each device maintains only minimal application metadata and configuration locally, while the full application binaries are stored remotely. This allows devices to execute applications by downloading them on-demand from the server, effectively unlimited storage capacity while maintaining execution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized server serves multiple functions: it acts as a storage repository for all application versions, an update distribution point for the entire device population, and a version control mechanism. This single universal system replaces the need for each device to independently store and manage multiple application versions locally.
2Reliability
If manual reconfiguration is performed to update applications across devices, then version consistency can be maintained, but the process is time and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated update management where the server automatically detects which devices need updates based on their reported application versions. The server then pushes update notifications and distributes update packages automatically without requiring manual intervention from administrators. Devices automatically download and install updates when notified, enabling self-service update deployment across the entire device population.
Solution Approach 2:
Each device periodically reports its application version status to the centralized server. The server uses this feedback information to identify which devices are running outdated versions and need updates. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically target and update only the devices that need it, rather than manually checking and updating each device individually.
3Productivity
If different software versions are allowed across devices, then storage and computational resources are optimized, but compatibility issues and unfair competition may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the version parameter state across all devices by enforcing a single authorized version from the server. When an update is released, the server updates the authorized version parameter and all devices synchronize to this new version, ensuring uniformity. This parameter control mechanism maintains resource optimization while ensuring all devices run compatible versions for fair competition.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing a population of devices and in particular, software updates and version control of applications across the population includes permitting a first device to receive an update from a publisher and generating an update manifest that is propagated to other devices in the population. Applications within a population of devices are selectively disabled and enabled to prevent multiple update versions of the same application across the population.