Flat Rate Play System for Gaming Device Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming devices face challenges in retaining players and increasing usage, as players often stop playing due to perceived high upfront costs and risk of losses, leading to reduced average utilization and revenue for casinos.
Innovation Solution
A system where players can purchase a predetermined number of outcomes at a low cost, with a balance that can be used for wagers, allowing continued play even with a negative balance without additional financial risk, and offering insurance against losses, enabling longer play sessions with lower initial costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If players wager traditional amounts on gaming devices, then the casino maintains revenue, but players perceive high upfront costs and risk of losses leading to reduced usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total wagering cost into small individual units (e.g., $0.01 per outcome) rather than requiring large upfront wagers. Players purchase a predetermined number of outcomes at low incremental costs, reducing perceived risk while maintaining overall casino revenue through volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows players to purchase a predetermined number of outcomes in advance before actual gameplay. This preliminary action enables players to secure their playing budget upfront at low cost, eliminating the need for continuous large wagers during play and reducing perceived financial risk.
2Duration of action of moving object
If players are allowed to continue playing with negative balance, then gaming device usage increases, but traditional gaming systems require additional financial risk management
Solution Approach 1:
Players purchase a predetermined number of outcomes in advance, which are stored as available credits. This preliminary action allows the system to automatically manage negative balances by drawing from pre-purchased outcomes, extending play duration without requiring complex real-time credit verification or additional risk management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary credit system where pre-purchased outcomes act as a buffer between the player's actual financial account and the gaming device. This intermediary layer allows negative balances during play while simplifying financial management, as players only need to replenish credits when depleted.
3Ease of operation
If casinos offer insurance against losses, then player appeal and usage increase, but operational complexity and cost structure change
Solution Approach 1:
The insurance mechanism is segmented into the predetermined number of pre-purchased outcomes. Players receive insurance against losses up to the amount they pre-purchased, eliminating the need for separate insurance contracts or complex loss reimbursement systems. The outcome credits themselves serve as the insurance buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service insurance through the pre-purchased outcome credits. When players experience losses, their pre-purchased credits automatically cover the shortfall without requiring manual insurance claims, approvals, or additional transactions. The insurance function is embedded in the credit system itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.