Auto-Configured Progressive Settings for Gaming System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration of electronic gaming machines to participate in progressive jackpot pools is complex and requires manual intervention by skilled technicians, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes due to security measures and the need for physical presence, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An auto-configuration method where the gaming machine automatically transmits a request to its corresponding progressive pools managing controller, receives a list of qualified pools, and initiates participation, using XML tags and a predetermined protocol to simplify the configuration process and reduce human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration by skilled technicians is used to ensure security and proper setup, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming and costly manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine automatically transmits its identification and game information to the progressive pools managing controller, which then automatically determines and configures the appropriate progressive pools. This self-service automation eliminates manual technician intervention while maintaining configuration accuracy through automated validation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The progressive pools managing controller pre-configures the pool participation settings and transmits them to the gaming machine in advance. This preliminary automated configuration action occurs before the machine goes live, ensuring proper setup without requiring time-consuming manual technician work during deployment.
2Reliability
If physical presence of authorized operators is required for security reasons, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for physical dispatch and manual access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical technician dispatch, cabinet unlocking, and manual configuration with an automated electronic communication system. The gaming machine and progressive pools managing controller exchange data electronically through secured communication protocols, eliminating the need for physical presence while maintaining security through digital authentication and encryption.
Solution Approach 2:
The progressive pools managing controller serves as an intermediary that automatically receives machine information, determines appropriate pool configurations, and transmits settings back to the gaming machine. This intermediary automation mediates the configuration process without requiring human physical intervention, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving security through controlled automated access.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex manual configuration processes are used to ensure proper pool selection, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to the complicated step-by-step setup
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically changes the configuration parameters by transmitting the gaming machine's identification, game type, and location information to the progressive pools managing controller. The controller then automatically determines and applies the appropriate pool configuration parameters based on pre-established criteria, eliminating time-consuming manual parameter setting while ensuring accuracy through automated logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming machine transmits its configuration status and identification information to the progressive pools managing controller, which processes this feedback and automatically determines the appropriate pool settings. The controller then transmits the configured pool information back to the machine for verification, creating a feedback loop that ensures configuration accuracy without requiring time-consuming manual verification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
The configuring of an electronic gaming machine (EGM) to participate in pools managed by a progressive pools managing controller (PPMC) can be complex. The process is simplified in accordance with the present disclosure by automatically transmitting from an EGM and to its corresponding PPMC, an auto-configuration request identifying the EGM and a predetermined wagering game supported by the EGM; responsively receiving from the PPMC and within the EGM a listing of one or more progressive pools that are managed by the PPMC and that have been determined within the PPMC to be progressive pools that the predetermined wagering game of the requesting EGM is qualified to or required to participate in; and causing the predetermined wagering game of the EGM to begin participating in at least one of the listed progressive pools.