Dynamic Non-Volatile Memory Management for Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming machine systems face inefficiencies when changing games, as they require complete recompilation of non-volatile RAM, leading to data loss and increased downtime, and utilize a fixed memory map that reserves unused space, hindering dynamic memory use and game changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with two non-volatile memory sources, one for RAM and another for disk drive memory, allowing for dynamic memory allocation and de-allocation, preserving critical data by swapping information between these sources during game additions or removals, and using a Non-Volatile Memory Address Mapping Table for efficient data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complete recompilation of NV-RAM is performed when changing games, then game changes can be implemented, but critical data is lost and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the NV-RAM into multiple regions: a first region for game-related data and a second region for critical data. This segmentation allows game changes to occur in the first region without affecting the critical data stored in the second region, thereby enabling game adaptability while preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts critical data from the general NV-RAM space and places it in a dedicated protected region. This extraction isolates critical data from the recompilation process, allowing game changes to proceed without impacting essential information such as accounting data, security information, and player tracking data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complete recompilation of NV-RAM is performed when changing games, then game changes can be implemented, but downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting NV-RAM into game data region and critical data region, the system allows partial updates only in the game data region. This eliminates the need to stop the entire system for recompilation, reducing downtime while maintaining game change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary organization of data into protected and non-protected regions before game changes occur. This preliminary structuring enables rapid game swaps without requiring system shutdown or extensive recompilation processes.
3Device complexity
If fixed memory map is used in NV-RAM, then memory allocation is simplified, but memory usage efficiency decreases due to reserved unused space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic memory allocation system where the first region of NV-RAM can be flexibly allocated to different games based on their specific needs. This dynamic approach allows memory to be fully utilized without permanent reservations, improving quantity efficiency while maintaining simplified management through the established region structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The first region of NV-RAM serves multiple games sequentially, acting as a universal storage space. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated reserved space for each game, maximizing memory usage efficiency while the region-based structure maintains allocation simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to different techniques for managing the storage of accumulated information in selected non-volatile memory sources at a gaming machine. In one implementation of the present invention relates to a technique for automatically and dynamically swapping critical data and/or other game related information between the non-volatile RAM and the alternate storage (e.g., disk drive) of a gaming machine as new games are activated and/or existing games are deactivated at the gaming machine.