Gaming Machine Display for Financial Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines lack transparency in displaying user credit and winnings, leading to potential overspending due to unclear financial tracking, which can encourage further investment without realizing losses or gains.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for recording and displaying user gaming credit units, cumulative prize values, and used credit values, allowing users to track their financial activity and make informed decisions about their winnings, with options to transfer or payout prizes under user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If gaming machines display only basic game information (credit, win amount), then the device complexity is low, but the transparency of financial tracking for users is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments financial information display into multiple dedicated records: credit record for tracking user credit units, used credit record for monitoring wagered amounts, cumulative prize record for accumulated winnings, and current prize record for immediate payouts. Each record is displayed separately to provide comprehensive financial transparency without overwhelming the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to financial tracking by maintaining cumulative records that accumulate values over time, alongside current session records. This allows users to view both historical financial activity (total credit used, total prizes won) and current status simultaneously, enhancing transparency across different time dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaming machines provide interlinked terminals with jackpot functionality, then the versatility of the gaming system increases, but the risk of user overspending increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms by displaying real-time updates of credit record, used credit record, and cumulative prize record. Users receive immediate visual feedback on their financial status, credit consumption rate, and accumulated winnings, enabling informed decisions about continued play and preventing unconscious overspending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires users to explicitly control prize payout actions, preventing automatic reinvestment of winnings. The system waits for user confirmation before transferring cumulative prizes to credit or dispensing cash, giving users a deliberate opportunity to stop playing and secure their winnings before additional spending occurs.
3Ease of operation
If gaming machines automatically manage credit and prize tracking, then the ease of operation is high, but the user control over financial decisions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-manage their financial tracking by providing clear displays of all credit and prize records that they can monitor at any time. Users have direct control over prize disposition choices (cash out vs. credit transfer) and can review their spending patterns, creating a self-service financial management system that balances automation with user agency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, performed by a gaming machine, of displaying performance data. The method includes recording data indicative of the receipt of gaming credit units from a user, wherein the gaming credit units are used as consideration for participation in a chance-based gaming activity provided via the gaming machine. The credit record is updated when a gaming credit unit is used as consideration. The cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user is recorded in a cumulative prize record. The value of the credit used in a used credit record is recorded. During a play session, a first display area displays the value of the credit record to a user. A second display area displays the cumulative prize record; and a third display area displays the value of the used credit record.