Joint Credit Meter Synchronization for Gaming Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming systems do not allow for seamless sharing of credit balances between multiple electronic gaming machines, limiting player collaboration and convenience in wagering games.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that includes a processor and memory device to maintain and display a joint credit balance across multiple electronic gaming machines, enabling players to share credits and synchronize credit meters in real-time, allowing simultaneous or sequential play on separate machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If players use separate individual credit meters on different electronic gaming machines, then each machine operates independently with its own credit balance, but players cannot share credits between machines and must cash out to transfer funds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual credit meters into a unified joint credit meter that displays a combined credit balance accessible by multiple players across different electronic gaming machines. This allows players to share credits seamlessly without cashing out, as the joint credit meter consolidates funds from individual machines while maintaining independent machine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint credit meter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a shared wallet for multiple players, a synchronization point for credit balances across machines, and a display mechanism that updates in real-time. This multi-functional approach enables credit sharing without requiring separate transfer mechanisms or cash handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system maintains separate individual credit balances for each machine, then machine operations are simple and independent, but players experience inconvenience when needing to access credits on different machines
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of credit balances to the joint credit meter before players need to access funds. The joint credit meter proactively updates and maintains the combined balance, so when players want to access credits on different machines, the funds are already available and synchronized, eliminating the need for time-consuming cashout and transfer procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where the joint credit meter continuously monitors and updates credit balances across all connected electronic gaming machines. This feedback loop ensures that players see accurate, synchronized credit information immediately, allowing them to access shared funds without delay or manual intervention.
3Ease of manufacture
If players cash out to transfer credits between machines, then individual machine credit systems remain simple, but material waste increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cash handling system with a digital credit synchronization system. Instead of players physically cashing out and exchanging money or tickets between machines, the system uses electronic data communication to synchronize credit balances across machines through the joint credit meter. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cash, tickets, or other material intermediaries, reducing waste and operational costs while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Gaming systems and methods that enable multiple players to share credit meters on electronic gaming machines.