Multi-Player Gaming Sessions With Segmented Credit Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are configured for single-player gaming sessions, limiting the ability for multiple players to engage in simultaneous or concurrent gaming sessions, and there is a need for systems that can manage and track credit balances and gaming activities across multiple players.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that enables concurrent gaming sessions for multiple players using separate and joint credit meters, with a gaming server managing player interactions and awards, and utilizing a network communications interface to track and update electronic records for credit and gaming events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single electronic gaming machine is configured for one player at a time, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the productivity is limited as multiple players require multiple EGMs to play simultaneous gaming sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the credit management system into separate credit meters for each player (first credit meter, second credit meter) and a joint credit meter. Each credit meter independently tracks credits for specific players, allowing simultaneous gaming sessions while maintaining clear accounting. This segmentation enables multiple players to play concurrently without complex shared credit tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming device is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting concurrent gaming sessions for multiple players on a single device. The system can simultaneously manage first and second gaming sessions, track multiple credit balances, and distribute awards to different players, transforming a single-player device into a multi-player platform.
2Measurement precision
If separate credit meters are implemented for each player to track individual credit balances, then the measurement precision of player credits is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional credit meters and joint credit meter management
Solution Approach 1:
The credit tracking system is segmented into distinct credit meters for each player plus a joint credit meter. This segmentation provides precise tracking of individual player credits while the joint credit meter consolidates the total, enabling accurate measurement without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint credit meter acts as an intermediary that consolidates and tracks the combined credits of multiple players. This intermediary element simplifies the overall system by providing a single view of total credits while the separate player credit meters maintain individual accountability, reducing the complexity of direct player-to-player credit management.
3Reliability
If multiple players play on separate EGMs, then the reliability of each gaming session is maintained, but the loss of time occurs due to players needing to move between devices and the casino cannot efficiently utilize gaming capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gaming sessions and credit tracking systems into a single gaming device. By combining the capabilities of multiple separate EGMs into one unified system that can handle concurrent sessions, players remain stationary while the device efficiently manages multiple independent gaming experiences, eliminating time loss from device movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming device achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously supporting multiple independent gaming sessions for different players. This universal design allows the single device to replace multiple dedicated EGMs, maintaining session reliability through separate tracking while improving time efficiency by consolidating gaming capacity in one location.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a gaming system that enables a common gaming device to engage multiple players in a common or separate gaming session(s) that can be configured as a multi-player tournament.