Electronic Collection Game System for Gaming Loyalty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming establishment loyalty programs lack engaging mechanisms for delivering incentives to players, leading to high overhead costs, limited player motivation, and security risks associated with physical tickets, with players having limited strategy and no control over when they receive letters in promotional games.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that introduces a collection or persistence game independent of primary games, where players can collect elements randomly released at set intervals, with strategic elements of time management and player qualification, allowing players to collect elements on any gaming machine and providing multiple award levels and team collaboration opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If players are allowed to collect one letter a day at a kiosk, then players can obtain loyalty incentives, but overhead costs for ticket printing and management become expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical letter tickets with electronic representations stored in a database. Each player receives a unique electronic identifier (player card or account number) that links to their collected letters in the system, eliminating the need for physical ticket printing and manual management while maintaining the collection game functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical ticket distribution and manual tracking with an automated electronic system. The gaming system automatically generates, tracks, and manages player letter collections through database operations, eliminating manual overhead for ticket printing, distribution, and verification
2Reliability
If players must go to a kiosk to collect letters, then letters can be distributed securely, but player motivation to stay and play at the gaming establishment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machines serve multiple functions: they are both the primary gaming device and the letter collection point. Players can collect letters directly at any gaming machine by entering their player identifier, eliminating the need for separate kiosks and encouraging players to remain at their gaming machines
Solution Approach 2:
The player identification system (player card or account number) acts as an intermediary that securely links players to their letter collections. The system verifies player identity through this identifier before releasing letters, maintaining security while allowing collection at any gaming machine location
3Loss of information
If physical tickets are used to track letter collections, then players can prove their wins, but theft and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the letter collection record stored in the system's database, linked to the player's unique identifier. This electronic record serves as immutable proof of collection and eligibility for prizes, replacing physical tickets that can be lost or stolen
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks and verifies player letter collections without requiring physical ticket presentation. When a player completes a collection, the system automatically identifies them through their player identifier and verifies their eligibility, eliminating the need for manual ticket verification and reducing security risks
4Duration of action of moving object
If players can only collect one letter a day, then the game duration is extended, but player strategy and control over collection timing are eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic collection limits that can vary by player status, game configuration, or time period. The system can adjust how many letters a player can collect per day based on their loyalty tier, promotional status, or other factors, providing both extended duration and player adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of collection parameters such as daily limits, collection windows, and eligibility criteria. These parameters can be changed to create different game modes, promotional periods, or player-specific rules, enabling both extended engagement and strategic player choice
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system and method providing a collection game independent from the primary games of a gaming system. In one embodiment, the collection game includes a plurality of elements and a winning element combination. During play of the collection game, randomly or upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system releases one of the plurality of elements to players. The gaming system repeats the process of releasing elements until one of the players collects all of the elements of the winning element combination. The first player to collect all of the elements of the winning element combination wins an award or prize.