Idle Wagering Machine Detection and Player Notification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wagering game machines often remain idle, reducing operator profitability due to lack of effective systems to attract players to available machines that match their preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors idle wagering game machines and sends notifications to prospective players using mobile devices, incentivizing them to play by offering preferences and incentives, such as free credits or other rewards, to increase coin-in and profitability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wagering game machines are left unmonitored, then system complexity is low, but machine utilization and profitability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wagering game machine monitors its own operational state and automatically determines when it is idle based on predefined criteria (no player present, no wager placed). This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems while maintaining high machine utilization through automated idle detection and notification.
2Productivity
If no notification system is implemented, then system complexity is low, but player engagement and machine utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively identifies idle machines before players arrive and sends advance notifications to players about available idle machines. This preliminary action ensures players are informed of available machines before they need to play, increasing engagement without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where idle machine status is continuously monitored and communicated back to players through notifications. This feedback mechanism keeps players informed of available machines, encouraging them to visit idle machines and increasing overall player engagement with the gaming floor.
3Productivity
If idle machines are not actively promoted, then system simplicity is maintained, but operator profitability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the state parameter of idle machines by actively promoting them through notifications to players. By transforming idle machines from a passive state to an actively promoted state, the system increases player awareness and drives traffic to these machines, thereby improving operator profitability without requiring overly complex promotion infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring wagering machines and transmitting indications of idle wagering game machines is described herein. The method can include monitoring, at a wagering game server, credit meters of a plurality of wagering game machines. The method can further include determining, at the wagering game server based on the monitored credit meters, that a wagering game machine of the plurality of wagering game machines is idle. The method can further include transmitting, to a mobile device via a communications network, an indication that the wagering game machine is idle, the indication including an incentive available in exchange for gameplay on the wagering game machine.