Network Gaming Architecture Segregating Regulated and Unregulated Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Online gambling platforms face security challenges due to potential hacking and cheating, as well as resource-intensive compliance with regulatory requirements and increasing player demand, necessitating improved network gaming architectures and methods.

Innovation Solution

A network gaming architecture that segregates servers into sub-systems with different levels of security, using firewalls to isolate sensitive components like the game rules server and deck server, and employs a client-server model where the client server acts as a thin client, routing game data through a game routing server to maintain security and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the House controls the computer application or web site through which a player bets, then the House is in control of both managing the game and all associated financial transactions, but security risks increase due to potential hacking and cheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of game management and financial transactionsVSAvoidsecurity risks from hacking and cheating
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple independent servers: game servers that handle game logic and outcome determination, payment servers that manage financial transactions, and player management servers. This segmentation ensures that a security breach on one server does not compromise the entire system, as each server operates independently with restricted access to sensitive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components such as secure communication protocols and authentication mechanisms that mediate between players, game servers, and payment processors. These intermediaries verify the authenticity of transactions and game outcomes, preventing hacking and cheating while maintaining smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If resources are allocated to comply with regulatory requirements and meet increasing player demand, then service quality improves, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity to meet player demandVSAvoidoperational costs for compliance and scaling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs multi-functional server components that can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. For example, game servers can dynamically adjust their capacity to handle both regular gameplay and regulatory reporting functions, while payment servers can serve multiple games and tournaments. This reduces the need for dedicated servers for each function, lowering overall operational costs while maintaining service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic resource allocation where server capacity can be automatically adjusted based on player demand and regulatory requirements. During peak times, additional computing resources are allocated to handle increased traffic, while during off-peak times, resources are reduced to minimize costs. This dynamic approach ensures compliance and meets demand without incurring constant high operational costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9120007B2Network gaming architecture, gaming systems, and related methods
Publication Date: 2015.09.01 LNW GAMING INC
  • US9120007B2 patent drawing
  • US9120007B2 patent drawing
  • US9120007B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A gaming system, a network gaming architecture, and related methods are disclosed that provides game content to server-based gaming platforms. Players access game content and place wagers on through a client server. The client server may act as a thin client to the gaming platform such that the client server establishes the communication link to a remote gaming engine that performs game play processing. The gaming system includes the remote gaming engine, which may comprise a game rules server configured to administer a set of game rules for the wagering game, and a deck server that randomly selects game pieces according to the set of game rules. A network gaming architecture includes separating functions that require regulation on one set of regulated servers, and functions that do not require regulation on at least one unregulated server.