Externally Controlled Interface Event Tracking for Gaming Disputes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In the gaming industry, there is a need to resolve disputes related to game outcomes on electronic gaming machines, particularly due to malfunctions or misinterpretations, and to efficiently track events for regulatory compliance and player satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for tracking events of an externally controlled interface (ECI) on gaming machines, which includes generating and logging events independently of game outcomes, storing information in non-volatile memory to regenerate graphical states, and using a remote host to control the ECI, allowing for secure and accurate tracking and dispute resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If events of externally controlled interface are tracked independently of game outcomes, then dispute resolution capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispute resolution capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates event tracking for the externally controlled interface from game outcome tracking. Event logs for ECI are maintained independently in separate data structures and processed independently, allowing dispute resolution for interface events without requiring analysis of game outcome data. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the overall tracking system while improving reliability for specific dispute types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary logging mechanism that captures ECI events independently of the game outcome determination system. This intermediary layer records interface events with timestamps and contextual information without requiring integration with the complex game outcome logic, thereby improving dispute resolution capability while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If graphical states are regenerated from stored information, then player satisfaction is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer satisfactionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing complete graphical state information in non-volatile memory during normal operation. When disputes occur or players request verification, the pre-stored state information can be rapidly retrieved and regenerated without requiring time-consuming recalculation, thus improving player satisfaction while minimizing processing time delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of graphical state information and stores them separately from the active game state. These copied states can be regenerated and displayed without affecting the live game performance, allowing thorough verification and dispute resolution while maintaining fast processing for ongoing gameplay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If remote host controls externally controlled interface, then security is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic for the externally controlled interface is extracted and relocated to a remote host system. This extraction improves security by isolating the critical control functions from the local gaming machine, preventing local tampering. The communication overhead is managed through structured event logging and standardized protocols that efficiently transmit only necessary control commands and event data between the remote host and the gaming interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10497204B2Methods and systems for tracking an event of an externally controlled interface
Publication Date: 2019.12.03 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US10497204B2 patent drawing
  • US10497204B2 patent drawing
  • US10497204B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for tracking an event of an externally controlled interface (ECI) is described. The method includes generating the externally controlled interface independent of an outcome of a wager-based game regulated by a regulatory authority, and logging the event of the externally controlled interface.