Gaming Controller Failover for Continuous EGM Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming device control configurations fail to maintain operational continuity when a gaming device controller goes offline, leading to a failure state in connected Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) due to the inability to access current data or communicate with other EGMs.
Innovation Solution
A system that predicts downtime for a gaming device controller and proactively reconfigures a secondary controller with the same configuration to ensure seamless service continuity, allowing EGMs to remain operational during maintenance or failures by transferring controller configurations and liabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gaming device controller is used to control multiple gaming devices, then the system can be managed centrally with simplified operations, but the system reliability deteriorates because all gaming devices enter failure state when the controller goes offline
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting controller downtime before it occurs and provisioning a backup controller in advance. The backup controller is configured with necessary game data and settings before the primary controller fails, ensuring immediate takeover capability and maintaining system availability without disruption to gaming devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of the controller from single-point control to redundant control. By implementing a backup controller that can assume the primary controller's functions, the system transforms the control architecture from vulnerable to resilient, maintaining centralized management while improving reliability through parameter redundancy.
2Reliability
If a backup controller is provisioned in advance, then system reliability is improved during controller downtime, but device complexity increases due to additional controller configuration management
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the primary controller's configuration and data in the backup controller. The backup controller receives and stores identical game data, settings, and operational parameters as the primary controller, enabling seamless failover. This copying approach simplifies complexity management by automating the replication process rather than requiring manual configuration of each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup controller is designed with universal functionality to perform both standby and active control roles. It can function as a secondary controller during normal operations and automatically assume the primary controller's full functionality when needed, eliminating the need for separate specialized components and reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional design.
3Ease of operation
If gaming devices remain connected to a failed controller, then connectivity is maintained, but functionality is lost due to inability to access current data such as progressive awards
Solution Approach 1:
The backup controller acts as an intermediary between the gaming devices and the control system. When the primary controller fails, the backup controller mediates all communications and data access requests, providing gaming devices with continued connectivity while delivering current progressive award data and coordination information through the backup controller's interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor circuit determines a downtime period for a first gaming device controller in communication with a plurality of gaming devices. A first controller configuration of the first gaming device controller for providing a controller service to the plurality of gaming devices is determined. Before the downtime period, a second gaming device controller is provisioned with a second controller configuration corresponding to the first controller configuration for providing the service to the plurality of gaming devices. The second gaming device controller provides the service to the plurality of gaming devices.