Electronic Gaming Machine Proximity Incentives for Event Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming machines (EGMs) lack the ability to dynamically adjust the probability of an event being triggered based on player proximity, leading to a lack of urgency and engagement among potential players.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system where the probability of an event being triggered on one EGM is adjusted based on the proximity of another EGM, with incentives such as increased chances of winning or free spins provided to nearby EGMs, leveraging a central controller and data communication network to coordinate events across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the probability of an event being triggered is predetermined based on hardware and software configuration, then the EGM operation is simple and reliable, but player engagement and urgency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the event trigger probability adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically modify the probability of events being triggered based on real-time conditions such as player proximity to other EGMs, thereby transforming a static operation into a dynamic one that adapts to enhance player engagement while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of event trigger probability from a predetermined fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted based on external conditions. By allowing the probability parameter to change in response to factors like player proximity, the system resolves the contradiction between operational simplicity and player engagement.
2Productivity
If incentives are provided to nearby EGMs based on event triggering, then player engagement is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary component that manages the complexity of coordinating incentives across multiple EGMs. This intermediary handles the communication and coordination tasks, allowing individual EGMs to remain relatively simple while the system as a whole achieves enhanced player engagement through coordinated incentive distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller serves multiple functions: it monitors event triggers across the network, determines player proximity to other EGMs, calculates appropriate incentive levels, and coordinates incentive distribution. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single universal controller, the system manages complexity while achieving the goal of enhanced player engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A first electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) includes a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the EGM to perform operations. The operations include determining that an event has been triggered on a second EGM. The second EGM can be separate from the first EGM. The operations can further include, responsive to determining that the event has been triggered on the second EGM, providing an incentive on the first EGM.