Dynamic Prize Fund Control in Gaming Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming systems struggle to maintain player interest as players become more sophisticated, with linked jackpots and secondary games losing their appeal due to increased exposure and understanding of the systems.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a gaming apparatus and method that allows users to win funds, which can be used as stakes for tertiary games, with a network of gaming machines and controllers managing funds and offering secondary and tertiary games, including options for sharing prizes and allowing players to bet among each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If linked jackpots and secondary games are provided in gaming systems, then the pool of funds is increased and the amount of funds available is known, but the systems' ability to maintain players' interest has diminished due to increased sophistication of players
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control over prize funds by allowing the system to modify won funds values and control when and how prizes are awarded. The gaming system can dynamically adjust the prize pool, control fund availability, and create variable gaming scenarios that adapt to player actions, thereby maintaining engagement while managing the fund pool effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters related to prize control by modifying won funds values, adjusting prize quantum amounts, and controlling the timing and conditions of prize awards. This allows the system to transform static jackpot structures into dynamic prize management that can adapt to different gaming scenarios and player behaviors
2Adaptability or versatility
If players are given the ability to use won funds as stakes for tertiary games, then player engagement is enhanced through dynamic gaming opportunities, but the complexity of the gaming system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling won funds to serve multiple purposes: they can be used as stakes for tertiary games, shared as prizes among players, or controlled by the system. The same fund pool serves different functions depending on the gaming scenario, reducing the need for separate systems for different gaming modes and actually simplifying the overall architecture while enhancing player engagement
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system controls and modifies won funds data, then the ability to share prizes and control prize awards is improved, but the complexity of fund management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fund management functions into a unified system that handles primary game credits, secondary game prizes, and tertiary game stakes through a single won funds control mechanism. By combining these functions and using a centralized approach to modify and control fund data, the system reduces overall complexity while maintaining the ability to share and control prizes effectively
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for controlling prize funds won by a user in a gaming system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a credit meter memory (1) for storing data indicative of an amount of credit available to a user to be played on a primary game, a won funds meter (2) for storing data indicative of a value of funds won by the user in playing a primary or secondary game, a prize message receiver (3) for receiving a message indicative of a quantum of a prize won by the user, a processor (4) responsive to the prize message receiver for modifying the stored data to augment the value of funds by quantum of the prize, a user input message receiver (13) for receiving a message indicative of the user's desire to use at least a portion of the funds won by the user as a stake for a tertiary game; and a tertiary game interface (14) for communicating with a tertiary game controller (12).