Gaming Device Credit Utilization via Feature Purchase

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming devices face challenges in providing patrons with value when payouts are limited, as they lack the technical capability to utilize remaining credits for game features, leading to discouragement among patrons.

Innovation Solution

A gaming device system that allows patrons to use remaining credits to purchase game features such as upgraded payout tables, progressive jackpot levels, games of skill, and enhanced graphics, by communicating with a gaming service to filter and enable these features based on available credits and user account credentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the gaming device limits the payout amount to prevent excessive credit dispensing, then the gaming device can control credit distribution, but patrons cannot cash out their remaining credits and lose value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredit valueVSAvoidcash out capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the remaining credit value from the limited payout scenario and redirects it to a different purpose - purchasing game features. Instead of allowing patrons to cash out remaining credits (which would undermine the payout limitation), the system extracts this value and enables its use for buying additional game features, thus preserving both the payout limit and the patron's credit value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the game feature purchase system - that mediates between the limited payout constraint and the patron's desire to utilize remaining credits. This intermediary allows the conversion of remaining credits into game features, bridging the gap between the payout limitation and credit utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the gaming device prohibits cash out when credits fall below a threshold, then the gaming device enforces payout control, but patrons are discouraged from playing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredit valueVSAvoidgaming engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of credit limitation (which discourages play) into a beneficial opportunity. By allowing patrons to purchase game features with remaining credits instead of prohibiting cash out, the system transforms what would be a frustrating dead-end into an engaging opportunity to extend gameplay with enhanced features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the previously static cash-out prohibition. Instead of a rigid threshold-based cutoff, the system dynamically allows credit utilization through game feature purchases, adapting the payout mechanism to maintain patron engagement while still controlling overall credit distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming device allows patrons to purchase game features with remaining credits, then patrons can utilize remaining value, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredit utilizationVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the remaining credits multi-functional by enabling their use for purchasing game features in addition to their traditional cash-out function. This universal approach allows the same credit resource to serve multiple purposes, increasing adaptability without requiring fundamentally separate systems for different credit uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service functionality where patrons can autonomously purchase game features using their remaining credits through the user interface. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex manual intervention systems while still providing versatile credit utilization options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250157294A1Limited payout systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 PRIMERO GAMES LLC

AI summary

The gaming device can generate outcomes for wagering games. For each wagering game, the gaming device can increment the hand count for the wagering game. The gaming device can receive a request to cash out the wagering game. The gaming device can determine that the current credit value falls below a minimum threshold for performing the cash out. The gaming device can identify game features for the user to purchase with the current credit value. The gaming device can filter the game features based on criteria. The gaming device can generate a user interface for receiving a selection of the game features. The gaming device can process a transaction to purchase the selected game features.