Casino Bluetooth Nodal Network for Reliable Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing casino computer networks often lack support for broadband or wifi communication links, and even when available, these links may not function due to geographical limitations, hindering mobile device communication with gaming machines and servers.
Innovation Solution
A Bluetooth nodal network is implemented, where each gaming machine and bank of machines are equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Bluetooth transceivers, enabling mobile devices to communicate with gaming machines and a network cloud through a Bluetooth protocol, with a terminal transceiver connecting to the cloud via Ethernet, and non-terminal transceivers re-broadcasting messages to ensure connectivity within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If broadband or wifi communication links are used in casino networks, then communication speed and data transmission capability are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to geographical limitations and unavailability in certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices as intermediary nodes between mobile devices and the casino network. These BLE devices act as mediators that relay communication signals, enabling reliable communication in areas where broadband or WiFi infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable, thus resolving the contradiction between communication speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the casino network into multiple communication layers: broadband/WiFi for high-speed data transmission in available areas, and Bluetooth nodal networks for reliable local communication in areas where broadband/WiFi are unavailable. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the strengths of each communication method for different scenarios.
2Reliability
If Bluetooth nodal network is implemented throughout the casino, then reliability and coverage are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes gaming machines multi-functional by equipping them with both traditional broadband/WiFi communication capabilities and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) functionality. This allows gaming machines to serve dual purposes: acting as both game-playing devices and as communication relay nodes in the Bluetooth nodal network, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated Bluetooth devices and lowering overall infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The Bluetooth nodal network is designed to be self-organizing and self-managing. Nodes automatically discover and connect to other nodes, forming mesh network paths without requiring centralized configuration or manual setup. This self-service capability reduces the operational complexity and maintenance burden of the expanded network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A casino having a nodal network of wireless transceivers. Each bank of gaming machines has a transceiver within wireless communication range of at least one other transceiver. A casino patron uses a casino app running on a mobile device to communicate with the external network cloud via the nodal network from any location within the casino at which the mobile device is within wireless communication range of a connected transceiver. The mobile device transmits to the connected transceiver an outgoing message that is propagated wirelessly through the nodal network to the external network cloud via a terminal transceiver. The mobile device receives from the connected transceiver an incoming message that has been transmitted from the external network cloud to the terminal transceiver and then propagated wirelessly through the nodal network to the connected transceiver.