Gaming Device Mesh Network Redundant Service Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server-based gaming systems are vulnerable to network failures, leading to unplayable gaming machines and increased operational costs due to the need for redundant backup servers and complex management solutions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mesh network architecture that allows gaming devices to communicate and share resources directly, creating a self-configuring system where each device acts as both a client and server, enabling continuous operation even when some nodes go offline, and eliminating the need for a central server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a server-based gaming system is used, then gaming services can be centralized and managed, but the system becomes vulnerable to network failures and requires redundant backup servers increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized server system into distributed gaming machines, where each machine operates independently with local processing capabilities. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure at the server level while maintaining service availability through decentralized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each gaming machine is equipped with local storage and processing to autonomously provide gaming services without continuous server dependency. The machines can independently execute games, manage player credits, and handle transactions locally, ensuring service continuity during network outages.
2Quantity of substance
If thin-client gaming machines are used with back-end server dependency, then hardware costs are reduced, but gaming machines become unplayable when network access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machines pre-load game software, player tracking data, and accounting information into local storage before network disconnection occurs. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary data and programs are available locally, allowing uninterrupted gaming operation without additional hardware resources.
3Reliability
If redundant backup servers are implemented, then system reliability improves, but operational costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each gaming machine is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a client for receiving updates and a server for providing gaming services to other machines. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated backup servers, reducing system complexity while maintaining redundancy through distributed peer-to-peer operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, and related methods for implementing services over a plurality of gaming devices in a mesh network. A plurality of gaming devices are situated in a mesh network. A gaming device includes, a client processing module configured to provide play of one or more games of chance, and a mesh network interface configured to provide communications with a further one or more gaming devices. A gaming device also includes a server processing module configured to receive and transmit service data via the mesh network. The service data is independent of game play data for wagering on a game of chance at one or more of the gaming devices. The service data is capable of being stored at a gaming device and at the further one or more gaming devices to provide a level of redundant storage of the service data.