Conditional Probability Prize Fund Accelerator for Instant Ticket Vending Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Instant Ticket Vending Machines (ITVMs) face limitations in offering larger prizes due to fixed payout percentages, which can deter player interest and participation, especially in small networks where progressive jackpots are less appealing and have lower winning likelihoods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing conditional probability prize fund accelerators that allow for higher perceived prize values without increasing the basic prize fund beyond legal limits, using mechanisms such as Random Number Generators (RNG) to create enhanced prize tiers and dynamic prize structures, enabling higher payouts within predefined risk limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If progressive jackpot machines are used to offer larger prizes, then player interest and participation increase, but the likelihood of winning decreases significantly due to the large network pool size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prize pool into multiple smaller conditional prize pools instead of one large progressive jackpot. Each conditional prize pool is associated with specific conditions (e.g., number of tickets purchased, consecutive plays) that players can meet. This segmentation allows players to target achievable prizes rather than competing for a single large jackpot, thereby maintaining player interest while improving perceived winning likelihood.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic conditional probability structures where prize availability and probabilities change based on player actions and game state. Conditional prizes are activated or deactivated based on meeting specific criteria, creating a dynamic system that adapts to player behavior. This dynamic approach keeps the game engaging while managing the balance between prize size and winning probability.
2Ease of operation
If the prize fund is increased beyond legal limits to offer higher prizes, then player appeal increases, but the risk exceeds predefined limits and legal constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of prize presentation rather than the actual prize fund allocation. By introducing conditional probabilities and multiple prize tiers with different activation conditions, the system creates the perception of higher potential prizes without actually increasing the total prize fund beyond legal limits. The mathematical expected value remains within constraints while the player experience is enhanced through varied prize structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conditional probability mechanisms as intermediaries between the fixed prize fund and player perception. These conditional structures act as mediators that transform a limited prize fund into multiple conditional prize opportunities, allowing players to perceive higher value without the operator exceeding risk limits or legal requirements.
3Productivity
If conditional probability prize structures are implemented to offer higher perceived prizes, then player participation increases, but the system complexity increases due to multiple prize tiers and conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prize structure into distinct conditional tiers, each with specific activation conditions and associated probabilities. This segmentation allows the complex system to be broken down into manageable modules that can be independently configured and managed. Each segment represents a specific game state or player achievement level, making the overall complexity more tractable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes conditional prize structures and probability assignments in advance during game configuration, rather than calculating them in real-time during play. This preliminary action allows complex probability calculations to be pre-computed and stored, reducing the computational complexity during actual game operation and making the system more efficient despite the multiple prize tiers.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of variable jackpot tickets having a predefined expected value and a plurality of predetermined non-jackpot winning tickets are provided in a deal of tickets preprinted with game content. A first random number generator using a first prize table selects physical locations in the deal of tickets for the plurality of predetermined non-jackpot winning tickets, and the plurality of variable jackpot tickets. A second random number generator using a second prize table different than the first prize table selects a jackpot prize for each of the plurality of variable jackpot tickets. Some of the jackpot prizes in the second prize table are less than the expected value. The difference between some of the jackpot prizes in the second prize table and the expected value are used to fund one or more jackpot prizes that are greater than the expected value.


