Networked Gaming System Communication Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current networked gaming systems face challenges in managing player rewards and game configurations efficiently, particularly in reconfiguring gaming machines and performing cash transactions, with a need for improved communication protocols to handle growing information demands and feature expansions.
Innovation Solution
A network-based gaming system that includes a rewards server and a player tracking server, using personalized gaming information and player PIN numbers for authentication, allowing for personalized game data delivery and efficient management of rewards and game configurations through a centralized management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If networked gaming systems expand features and information needs, then system functionality and player engagement improve, but communication protocol complexity and system management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides communication into distinct message types (game play messages, system messages, accounting messages) with standardized formats and protocols. Each message type has specific structures for handling different functionalities, allowing the system to manage complexity through segmentation while supporting diverse features.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication protocol framework provides universal message structures that can handle multiple functions through standardized fields. Single message formats accommodate various operations (game play, accounting, system control) by using configurable parameters and message types, reducing the need for separate protocols for each function.
2Productivity
If player tracking and personalized rewards are implemented, then player engagement and wagering activity increase, but data management and authentication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements player tracking that continuously monitors game play and accumulates points, providing feedback to players about their status and rewards. This feedback mechanism engages players while the standardized data structures ensure accurate tracking and management of player information across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication protocol acts as an intermediary layer between player tracking, rewards management, and authentication systems. Standardized message formats facilitate seamless data exchange between these components, reducing management complexity while enabling comprehensive player tracking and personalized rewards.
3Ease of operation
If centralized management system is used for rewards and game configuration, then operational efficiency improves, but system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts management functions (rewards configuration, game setup, accounting) from individual gaming devices and consolidates them in centralized servers. The communication protocol enables these centralized systems to manage multiple devices efficiently through standardized commands, improving operational efficiency while managing architecture complexity through clear separation of concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus for a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a rewards server and a separate gaming or slot accounting server. The system may further include a separate player tracking server. The system further includes one or more game machines. The game machines may include a base game, rewards tracking module, and a game management module. Further details will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims.