Credit Meter Redemption for Supplemental Drawing Entries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming systems face challenges when a credit meter balance falls below the minimum required for wagering, leading to limited options for players, such as adding more funds or receiving low-value cashless ticket vouchers.

Innovation Solution

The system enables players to redeem the credit meter balance for one or more chances to win an award independent of the gaming device, by contributing the balance to a pool and assigning drawing entries based on the contribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the credit meter balance is below the minimum required for wagering, then the player cannot place bets at the gaming device, but the player still has value in the credit meter that should be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer option flexibilityVSAvoidplayer access to gaming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A credit meter redemption system acts as an intermediary between the player's remaining credit meter balance and the gaming establishment. The system allows players to redeem their balance for drawing entries in a supplemental award program, converting what would otherwise be unusable credit into valuable prizes. This resolves the contradiction by providing players with meaningful options even when their balance is below the minimum wagering threshold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the system provides cashless ticket vouchers to players with low balances, then the player can redeem their balance, but the gaming establishment incurs the burden of handling and validating these vouchers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredemption process simplicityVSAvoidgaming establishment operational burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of printing, distributing, and physically handling cashless ticket vouchers with an electronic redemption system. Players receive drawing entries through electronic communication with the gaming device, and the system automatically manages the supplemental award program. This eliminates the operational burden on the gaming establishment while maintaining ease of redemption for players.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the player adds more funds to reach the minimum wagering requirement, then the player can access gaming activities, but the player loses the value of their original credit meter balance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer access to gamingVSAvoidplayer available balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the previously harmful state of having a low balance (inability to wager) into a beneficial outcome by enabling redemption for supplemental awards. Instead of forcing players to add more funds to access gaming, the system allows them to redeem their remaining balance for drawing entries in a supplemental award program, turning a disadvantage into a potential gain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250140064A1Minimum credit meter redeemed for drawing entries

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Systems and methods that enable one or more drawing entries in association with a redemption of a balance of a credit meter that is less than a minimum amount required to undertake wagering activity at a gaming device.