Gaming Machine Crypto Mining Pools for Idle-Time Revenue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming systems, such as electronic gaming machines and lottery vending machines, experience significant idle time with high operational costs due to the need for constant readiness and advertising, and existing methods to utilize these systems for cryptocurrency mining are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Gaming systems are equipped with processing resources to operate in a digital ledger validation mode, allowing them to mine cryptocurrencies during idle times, with a gaming server allocating work units to devices and distributing rewards based on computational contributions, and integrating mining rewards into progressive jackpots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gaming systems operate constantly to be ready for use and advertise to players, then player availability and service quality are improved, but operational costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a gaming device during active periods and as a cryptocurrency mining device during idle periods. The processing resources of the gaming system are utilized for digital ledger validation when not actively engaged in gaming operations, thereby reducing waste and improving overall system utility without compromising player availability.
2Productivity
If gaming systems utilize idle time for cryptocurrency mining, then resource utilization and revenue generation are improved, but system complexity and operational management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes based on real-time conditions. When gaming devices are idle or in attract mode, the system automatically transitions to cryptocurrency mining operations. The gaming server dynamically allocates mining tasks to available gaming devices and manages the transition between gaming and mining functions, optimizing resource utilization without requiring permanent structural changes.
Solution Approach 2:
A gaming server acts as an intermediary to manage the dual functionality of gaming devices. The server coordinates between gaming operations and cryptocurrency mining activities, allocating work units to gaming devices, tracking their computational contributions, and distributing mining rewards. This intermediary layer simplifies the management complexity by centralizing control rather than requiring each gaming device to independently manage its dual functionality.
3Ease of operation
If mining rewards are distributed to players during gaming sessions, then player engagement and satisfaction are improved, but reward allocation fairness and computational accuracy challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the gaming server continuously monitors the operational status of gaming devices, tracks their computational contributions to mining, and uses this information to determine reward allocation. When a gaming device successfully validates a block, the server notifies the device and distributes rewards to players based on tracked contributions, ensuring that reward allocation reflects actual computational work performed while maintaining player engagement during gaming sessions.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system and method selects a subset of gaming devices to operate in a digital ledger validation mode to validate a set of data records defining a digital ledger, allocates, to each gaming device, a respective work unit, receives, at an electronic address associated with the gaming server, an electronic record defining a reward, tracks play activity at each of the plurality of gaming devices, and, based on the tracked play activity, selects a player from among multiple players to receive the reward.