Gaming Device Idle-Time Cryptocurrency Mining With Progressive Rewards
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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 there is a need to utilize these systems for cryptocurrency mining to enhance revenue and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Gaming systems are equipped with processing resources to operate in a digital ledger validation mode, utilizing CPU and GPU for mining cryptocurrencies during idle times, and are centrally controlled to allocate work units among devices for efficient cryptocurrency validation, with rewards distributed as progressive prizes to players.
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 reliability 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 traditional gaming device during active play periods and switch to digital ledger validation mode during idle periods. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware resources to serve dual purposes, reducing waste and improving overall system efficiency without compromising player availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic operation by alternating between active gaming mode and idle validation mode. During idle periods when no players are present, the system automatically switches to validating digital ledgers. This periodic action ensures the system remains reliable when players arrive while minimizing energy consumption during unutilized time periods.
2Productivity
If gaming systems utilize idle time for cryptocurrency mining, then revenue and resource utilization are improved, but system complexity and control mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary to manage the complexity of coordinating multiple gaming devices for digital ledger validation. The server allocates work units to individual devices, aggregates results, and handles reward distribution. This intermediary approach allows individual gaming devices to remain relatively simple while achieving complex coordinated validation across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital ledger validation work is segmented into discrete work units that are distributed to multiple gaming devices. Each device independently validates its assigned transactions and reports results to the server. This segmentation allows the system to leverage resources from many devices without requiring each device to be overly complex, dividing the overall validation task into manageable portions.
3Productivity
If gaming systems allocate computational resources to digital ledger validation, then revenue generation from mining is improved, but gaming performance and player experience may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time conditions. When gaming devices are actively being used by players, the system prioritizes gaming performance. When devices are idle and not being played, it automatically switches to digital ledger validation mode. This dynamic switching ensures optimal gaming experience during play while maximizing revenue generation during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that gaming devices are never truly idle. During active gaming sessions, computational resources are dedicated to providing smooth player experience. During periods between plays, the same resources continuously perform digital ledger validation. This continuity eliminates wasted time and ensures productive use of resources throughout operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rewards from digital ledger validation are distributed to players, then player engagement and system utilization are improved, but operational complexity and reward management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where players receive notifications about validation rewards and are incentivized to return during idle periods. The server tracks validation results and automatically distributes rewards to appropriate player accounts. This feedback loop enhances player engagement by providing tangible benefits from system validation activities while automating reward management to minimize operational complexity.
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.