Gaming Machine Player Reservation via Secondary Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional casino gaming machines require either new purchases or costly reprogramming to upgrade features, and players often face difficulties in accessing their preferred machines, leading to potential loss of business due to unavailability at peak times.
Innovation Solution
A player reservation feature is implemented in gaming machines, allowing players to reserve machines via a screen or remotely using devices like smartphones or computers, with the option to lock the machine for exclusive use by the reserving player, and the ability to charge a fee for reservations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If players can reserve their favorite gaming machines, then player satisfaction and retention improve, but system complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the primary display device for game presentation, manages player credits and wagers, and handles reservation operations. This multi-functionality allows the reservation feature to be integrated into existing gaming machine infrastructure without requiring completely separate hardware systems, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized reservation server that acts as an intermediary between players, gaming machines, and casino management. This server coordinates reservations across multiple machines, manages the reservation database, and communicates availability status to players via display devices. By centralizing reservation management, the system achieves reliable machine allocation without distributing complex reservation logic across every individual gaming machine.
2Reliability
If gaming machines are locked for reserved players, then exclusive access is guaranteed, but machine utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservation system implements dynamic machine locking that adapts to real-time conditions. Machines are locked for reserved players during their reserved time windows, but remain accessible to other players when not reserved or when reservations are cancelled/no-show. The system continuously monitors reservation status and adjusts machine availability accordingly, ensuring exclusive access for reserved players while maximizing utilization during non-reserved periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Players can make reservations in advance of their intended play time, allowing the system to prepare and lock machines beforehand. This preliminary action ensures that when reserved players arrive, their machines are already secured and ready, guaranteeing exclusive access without requiring last-minute machine allocation that would reduce utilization efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If reservation fees are charged, then casino revenue increases, but player accessibility to reserved machines decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservation fee structure is made variable rather than uniform. The system can charge different fees based on specific factors: peak vs. off-peak times, popular vs. less popular machines, duration of reservation, and player loyalty status. This localized differentiation allows the casino to maximize revenue from high-demand reservations while keeping fees affordable for standard reservations, thereby balancing revenue generation with player accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A player reservation feature is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The player reservation feature may be accessed at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The gaming machine is locked and unavailable for play except by the player that made the reservation. Reserving a gaming machine may be free, or a fee may be accessed for a reservation. Where a fee is assessed, the fee may be waived for a reserving player. Where the reservation feature is being accessed remotely, a casino floor map may be displayed at the device that is being used, such as another casino machine, smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, along with information about each gaming machine on the casino floor.