Bridge Circuit Integrating SMIB and Power Management for Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming systems require bulky slot machine interface boards (SMIBs) with separate power supplies, leading to space constraints and difficulties in installation and maintenance. Additionally, these systems are proprietary, making interoperability with third-party vendors challenging, and they suffer from reliability issues due to complex network connections and power management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed system introduces a bridge circuit that connects multiple gaming machines to a network, eliminating the need for SMIBs by using a compact bridge control circuit with its own power management, including capacitors for voltage maintenance during power failures. This system also allows for seamless integration with third-party vendors through a modular software approach, enhancing reliability by decentralizing service provision from secure servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SMIBs with separate power supplies are installed in each gaming machine, then network connectivity and service provision are enabled, but space constraints and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the SMIB functionality and power supply into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate power supplies. This merging reduces the number of components that need to be installed and configured, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining network connectivity functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated SMIB unit performs multiple functions including network interface, power management, and communication protocols within a single device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power supplies and reduces overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary systems are used for accounting, cashless tickets, loyalty, and audit functions, then integrated service provision is achieved, but interoperability with third-party vendors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides multiple service functions (accounting, cashless tickets, loyalty, audit) through a universal platform that can interface with different vendors. The SMIB acts as a multi-functional interface that supports various communication protocols and service types, enabling interoperability while maintaining integrated service provision.
3Productivity
If multiple SMIBs and bank controllers are deployed across the network, then service coverage is expanded, but maintenance difficulty and power management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the power supply functionality into the SMIB itself, the system reduces the number of separate power management components. This makes maintenance easier as there are fewer components to troubleshoot and replace, while still enabling widespread service coverage through multiple SMIBs across the network.
4Ease of operation
If network switches with separate power supplies are used to direct traffic, then network traffic management is enabled, but overall system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates network switching and traffic management capabilities directly into the SMIB unit, eliminating the need for separate network switches with power supplies. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to manage network traffic effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The new system reduces installation and maintenance complexities, enhances interoperability with third-party systems, and improves reliability by simplifying network traffic management and power backup, while also enabling robust data processing and analytics.
Implementation Method 1
capacitors for voltage maintenance during power failures
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to distributed systems that include networked master and slave circuits that are each connected to a plurality of electronic gaming machines on a casino floor. Each circuit receives digital information from a data port on an electronic gaming machine to which it is connected and also transmits commands, such as TITO commands, to the electronic gaming machine via the data port. A slave circuit can also function as the master circuit, e.g., when a master circuit fails.