Light Chain System for Dynamic Wagering Game Lighting Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling light effects in wagering game environments are labor-intensive and require recalculating timing and attributes for each light bar, making it difficult to handle variations in the number or configuration of light bars, and are not adaptable to dynamic changes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a light chain system, where multiple lighting devices are grouped as a single unit, allowing for dynamic control and adaptation of light effects through light chain commands that determine the number and configuration of devices, attributes, and timing, enabling efficient generation of complex light effects with minimal user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If individual light bars are controlled separately with manual programming, then precise control over each light bar is achieved, but the system becomes labor-intensive and difficult to adapt to variations in configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of controlling light effectsVSAvoidcomplexity of programming and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light bars are merged into a single logical unit called a 'light chain,' which can be controlled with a single command. The system combines multiple individual light bar controls into one unified control structure, reducing the number of programming operations needed while maintaining individual control capability when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light chain command structure is designed to be universal, working with any number of light bars in any configuration. A single light chain command can adapt to different scenarios (different numbers of light bars, different arrangements) without requiring separate programming for each case, making the system multi-functional and highly adaptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system is designed to handle fixed configurations, then programming is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to dynamic changes in light bar number or arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to configuration variationsVSAvoidefficiency of light effect generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The light chain system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. When a light chain command is received, the system dynamically determines the current configuration of light bars at runtime and adjusts the control accordingly. This allows the system to adapt to any configuration change without requiring reprogramming, while still generating light effects efficiently through automated timing calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If manual programming is used for each light bar, then precise timing and attributes can be set, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of implementing light effectsVSAvoidtime required for programming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating timing and attributes for each light bar within the chain based on the received light chain command. Instead of requiring manual programming of each individual light bar, the system takes the high-level command and autonomously generates the detailed control sequence, significantly reducing programming time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If individual light bars are addressed separately, then detailed control is possible, but the number of commands and programming effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of control commands requiredVSAvoidsimplicity of control interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments light bars into logical groups called light chains, where each chain represents a segment that can be controlled as a unit. This segmentation reduces the number of individual commands needed compared to controlling each light bar separately, while still allowing detailed control within each segment when required. The segmentation creates a hierarchical control structure that balances simplicity with capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8912727B1Wagering game lighting device chains

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

In a wagering game environment, a light engine can determine a number of lighting devices that constitute a light chain, and a chaining configuration. The light chain is associated with a wagering game machine. The light engine can determine attributes of the constituent lighting devices and compute timing to produce the light effect. In accordance with the determined attributes and computed timing, the light engine generates output lighting device commands for controlling the lighting devices and/or light source elements of the constituent lighting devices. The light engine can dynamically handle a variation in the number or chaining configuration of the lighting devices that constitute the light at runtime. Accordingly, the light engine can generate appropriate output lighting device commands to display the appropriate light effects.