Central Controller Synchronizes Gaming Machine Winning Probabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current progressive gaming machines lack flexibility in synchronizing probabilities for winning designated awards across multiple machines, limiting the ability to modify individual machine probabilities and creating uniform chances for winning progressive awards.
Innovation Solution
A central controller system that adjusts the symbols, total number of symbols, or probabilities associated with symbols on gaming machines to ensure each machine has an equal or substantially equal probability of generating a designated winning symbol combination, allowing for synchronization of winning probabilities across linked machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gaming machines use predetermined symbol types and total number of symbols to determine winning probability, then the probability of winning a designated award is fixed and predictable, but flexibility for synchronizing gaming machines to have equal probabilities is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of symbol probabilities and reel configurations through a central controller that can modify weighting factors, symbol frequencies, and reel parameters in real-time. This allows the system to transition from static predetermined probabilities to dynamic adjustable probabilities, enabling synchronization of winning chances across multiple gaming machines while maintaining the ability to adapt to different operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including symbol weighting factors, reel strip configurations, and probability distributions to achieve equal winning probabilities across linked gaming machines. The central controller adjusts these parameters dynamically, allowing the same gaming machine software to operate with different probability settings to synchronize designated awards across the network
2Reliability
If each gaming machine has its own predetermined paytable with fixed probabilities, then the machine operates independently with stable characteristics, but the ability to link machines with equal probabilities for designated awards is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the probability control functions of multiple independent gaming machines into a centralized control system. The central controller consolidates the determination of winning outcomes for linked gaming machines, allowing coordinated adjustment of probabilities across the network while maintaining each machine's operational independence and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller acts as an intermediary between gaming machines and the probability determination process. It receives requests from individual machines, calculates appropriate probability adjustments, and distributes modified parameters back to the machines, enabling synchronized operation without requiring changes to the machines' core software
3Ease of operation
If gaming machines use fixed symbol combinations with predetermined probabilities, then the system is simple to operate, but flexibility for changing probabilities of triggering designated awards is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated probability adjustment algorithms that calculate and apply the necessary parameter changes to achieve equal winning probabilities across linked machines. The central controller automatically determines optimal weighting factors and reel configurations without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while enabling flexible probability modification
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system that is controlled by a central controller and includes a plurality of gaming machines. Each of the gaming machines includes a game operable upon a wager by a player, a plurality of winning symbol combinations including a designated winning symbol combination and a probability of achieving the designated winning symbol combination. At least two of the gaming machines have different probabilities of achieving the designated winning symbol combination. The gaming system includes a designated award and a triggering event. After an occurrence of the triggering event, the central controller is programmed to change the probability of achieving the designated winning symbol combination for at least one of the gaming machines such that each gaming machine has an equal probability of generating the designated winning symbol combination.