Gaming Peripheral Authorization via Central Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for electronic gaming machines require time-consuming and costly regulatory approvals every time a peripheral device is updated or replaced, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for re-approval of game code and peripheral drivers across multiple jurisdictions.

Innovation Solution

A method where a wager gaming machine communicates with a central server to request authorization for peripheral devices, using a network interface to send identification and peripheral data, and receives responses regarding approval status, allowing only approved devices to operate, thus streamlining the approval process and reducing regulatory burdens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a peripheral device is replaced or updated in a gaming machine, then the gaming machine can benefit from new features and improved performance, but new regulatory approvals are required which increases time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperipheral device upgrade capabilityVSAvoidregulatory approval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the approval process by creating separate approval records for different jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction's approval is stored independently in a database, allowing the gaming machine to query and receive approvals from multiple jurisdictions without requiring a complete re-approval process for each one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-obtaining and storing regulatory approvals in a centralized database before they are needed. When a peripheral is updated, the system queries the pre-stored approvals rather than initiating new approval processes, significantly reducing the time required for deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperipheral device upgrade capabilityVSAvoidregulatory approval cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal approval database that serves multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. A single peripheral approval can be stored and referenced across multiple jurisdictions, eliminating the need to pay for separate approval processes in each jurisdiction when the same peripheral is used throughout the gaming network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the approval processes by consolidating multiple jurisdictional approvals into a single centralized database. This allows the gaming machine to manage all peripheral approvals through one system rather than requiring separate approval management for each jurisdiction, reducing administrative costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed table of peripherals is hard-coded into gaming machines, then the system is simple to implement, but it is difficult to update and replace peripheral devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial system implementationVSAvoidperipheral device update flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary component - a centralized database server - that sits between the gaming machines and the peripheral devices. This intermediary stores approval information and provides it to gaming machines via network queries, eliminating the need for hard-coded peripheral tables while maintaining system simplicity through standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical approach of hard-coding peripheral information directly into gaming machine firmware with an information-based system. Instead of permanently embedding peripheral tables in the machine's hardware, the system uses software-based database queries over a network, allowing dynamic updates without hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9218713B2Gaming machine peripheral control method

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A request for authorization for use of one or more peripheral devices of a wager gaming machine may be transmitted to another device (e.g., a central server) via a network. The request may, for example, include a machine-specific identifier and a peripheral identifier. The request may be sent from the wager gaming machine or from another device. The request may be sent automatically in response to certain conditions, e.g., when a peripheral device has been replaced and/or when the wager gaming machine initializes. The central server may determine (inter alia) whether the peripheral is approved for use in the registered jurisdiction and then send the appropriate authorization (or denial). Software (e.g., driver software) may accompany an authorization.