Electronic Gaming Machine AR Overlays Without Screen Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming machines (EGMs) face challenges in integrating augmented reality (AR) systems efficiently, requiring significant programming effort and computing resources to support AR devices, which can enhance player interaction but demand substantial development and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
An EGM communicates with an AR device to define display locations and triggering events, offloading the processing for animation determination to the AR device or an AR controller, reducing the need for extensive customization and resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EGMs integrate AR systems to enhance player interaction, then gaming experience is improved, but programming effort and computing resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex AR processing functions from the EGM and relocates them to a separate AR device. The EGM only transmits minimal screen location data and game state information, while the AR device independently determines animations, renders graphics, and manages AR display coordination. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive AR programming in the EGM while preserving enhanced gaming experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication protocol that enables the EGM and AR device to cooperate with minimal integration effort. The protocol allows the EGM to send basic game information and screen coordinates, while the AR device autonomously processes AR logic. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling AR functionality without requiring the EGM to handle complex AR programming.
2Adaptability or versatility
If EGMs integrate AR systems to enhance player interaction, then gaming experience is improved, but computing resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts computationally intensive AR processing tasks from the EGM and assigns them to the AR device. The EGM only performs minimal operations such as transmitting screen location data and game state changes. The AR device independently handles animation determination, graphics rendering, and AR display coordination, thereby preserving the EGM's computing resources while maintaining enhanced gaming experiences.
3Adaptability or versatility
If AR graphics are displayed in the field of view, then player interaction is enhanced, but game elements may be obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dynamically assigning different display priorities to different screen regions. The EGM transmits screen location data that identifies specific areas where AR graphics may be displayed without obscuring critical game elements. The AR device uses this information to position AR content in appropriate locations, ensuring enhanced player interaction while preserving the visibility of legally or contractually required game elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the EGM continuously transmits game state information and screen element locations to the AR device. The AR device uses this feedback to adjust AR graphic positioning and timing, ensuring that AR content is displayed only when and where it does not interfere with game element visibility. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling dynamic coordination between AR display and game element presentation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine according to some embodiments includes a processing circuit, a display screen coupled to the processing circuit, and a transceiver coupled to the processing circuit and providing wireless communications with an augmented reality (AR) display device that is separate from the electronic gaming machine. The processing circuit displays a game element in a first screen area of the display screen, and transmits, via the transceiver, screen location data to the AR display device identifying a second screen area on the display screen, other than the first screen area, that is available for the AR display device to overlay AR graphics in a field of view of a user of the AR display device without overlaying the game element displayed in the first screen area of the display screen.