Reservation Controller for Gaming Systems with Player Ranking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming systems do not allow for flexible reservation of gaming machines across a wider range of circumstances, limiting player convenience and system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A reservation controller that processes requests for terminal and game reservations, determining acceptability based on player ranking and implementing actions such as locking terminals, ending game sessions, and offering compensation to affected players, while re-evaluating reservations to ensure fair allocation of resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gaming machines are reserved using existing card-based systems, then players can lock machines during breaks, but the system lacks flexibility to handle wider ranges of reservation circumstances and player priorities
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces player ranking as a new parameter to differentiate reservation priorities. Instead of treating all players equally, the system assigns rankings based on player status, loyalty points, or other criteria, allowing flexible accommodation of different reservation scenarios without requiring completely different systems for different player types.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservation controller is designed to handle multiple types of reservations (specific terminal, specific game, or both) and multiple player categories through a single unified system. This multi-functional approach enables the system to accommodate various reservation circumstances without requiring separate specialized systems for each scenario.
2Ease of operation
If reservations are made without considering player priorities, then all players are treated equally, but higher-ranked players cannot receive preferential treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of reservation requests by comparing player rankings before finalizing reservations. This advance assessment ensures that higher-ranked players receive preferential treatment automatically, maintaining fairness and reliability in resource allocation while improving convenience for valued players.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservation controller continuously monitors and compares player rankings, using this feedback to make informed decisions about reservation acceptance and compensation. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system adapts to different player priorities dynamically, maintaining fair allocation while enhancing player convenience.
3Productivity
If the reservation controller locks terminals or ends game sessions, then reserved players can access machines, but affected players experience disruption and dissatisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides advance warning to players whose terminals or game sessions are about to be affected by a reservation. This preliminary notification allows affected players to prepare for the disruption, potentially save their game state, or choose to leave voluntarily, thereby reducing the harmful impact of the reservation enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of forcing players off machines into a benefit by offering compensation. Affected players receive rewards or incentives for their inconvenience, transforming a negative experience into a positive outcome that maintains player satisfaction while still enabling reservation fulfillment.
4Reliability
If the system re-evaluates all reservations before execution, then fair allocation is maintained, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial re-evaluation by focusing only on reservations that may conflict with higher-ranked players or require compensation decisions. Instead of re-evaluating every single reservation, the system selectively processes only those cases where fairness concerns arise, reducing processing time while maintaining reliability in critical scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A reservation request is received from a player of a gaming system as to a reservation time, a desired gaming terminal and a desired game. The request is processed, and if acceptable, the reservation is made.