Network Gaming Terminal Dynamic Content Update

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming machines face challenges in maintaining player interest due to static basic games, requiring frequent replacements and laborious content updates, while existing solutions for distributing new game content are inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A gaming machine and system that allows for dynamic updates of game content via a network, enabling access to community events and games with randomly selected outcomes, decoupling game mechanics from community events, and allowing different games with community features to be loaded onto machines independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If game content is updated by replacing gaming terminals, then player interest is maintained, but cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame content varietyVSAvoidterminal replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates game content (software instructions) from the physical gaming terminal hardware. Game content is divided into downloadable modules that can be independently updated and distributed via network, allowing content refresh without terminal replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of game content that can be distributed and installed on existing terminals. Multiple game versions and updates are replicated across the network infrastructure, enabling content propagation without physical media replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If game content is updated by replacing media, then new games are available, but labor and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame content varietyVSAvoidcontent update ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated content distribution where the network infrastructure automatically transfers game content from servers to terminals. The process requires minimal manual intervention, with systems self-configuring and self-updating through network protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical media replacement mechanics with electronic data transmission. Instead of manually swapping ROMs or CDs, game content is transmitted digitally over the network, eliminating mechanical handling and associated labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If gaming terminals are fixed in capabilities, then hardware is simpler, but player interest decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal simplicityVSAvoidgame content variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the terminal's software capabilities dynamic rather than static. The terminal can download, install, and execute different game versions remotely, allowing capabilities to change over time without hardware modification. This creates a dynamically adaptable system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gaming terminal is designed as a universal platform capable of running multiple different game types and versions. By separating the execution environment from the game content, a single terminal can serve multiple game functions through software loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If manual content delivery is used, then distribution is straightforward, but efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent distribution simplicityVSAvoidcontent distribution speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network server as an intermediary between content creators and gaming terminals. The server acts as a central distribution point that automatically manages content transfer, scheduling, and installation, greatly accelerating the distribution process compared to manual methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous content distribution operations where multiple terminals can be updated simultaneously through the network. The automated process runs continuously without interruption, maximizing distribution throughput and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8758123B2Gaming network with associated community/progressive features

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

A system and method are disclosed for operating a gaming machine on a gaming network is disclosed. The gaming machine allows playing a wagering game and includes a storage device to store an instruction set for the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. An interface is coupled to the storage device and is capable of communication with the network to receive at least a part of the instruction set for the wagering game from the network. The wagering game provides access to a community event over the network.