Player Tracking Device IC Card Management During Gameplay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing player tracking devices in gaming machines are unable to read or write information from or to another IC card while a player is actively playing, limiting operational functionality.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a player tracking device with a card unit for wireless communication and a touch unit for IC device reading, allowing for simplified touch operations to manage IC cards and conduct maintenance during gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IC card is taken inside the gaming machine by the card suction and ejection mechanism during game play, then the IC card can be securely held and managed, but the gaming machine cannot read or write information from or to another IC card
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the IC card handling functionality into two separate units: a card unit with suction and ejection mechanisms for secure card management, and a touch unit with wireless communication capability for reading and writing information. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in its function while working together to resolve the contradiction between secure card holding and operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming machine is designed to handle multiple types of IC cards simultaneously through different units. The card unit manages the primary IC card during gameplay, while the touch unit provides universal read/write capability for additional IC cards, enabling the system to adapt to various card types and operations without compromising secure card management.
2Device complexity
If a single IC card reader/writer is used for reading and writing, then the device structure is simplified, but the device cannot perform reading or writing operations when the IC card is taken inside during game play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the IC card reader/writer functionality into two distinct units: a card unit that physically manages the IC card through suction and ejection, and a touch unit that handles wireless information read/write operations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the simple card unit to focus on card management while the touch unit provides comprehensive read/write capability independently.
3Reliability
If the card suction and ejection mechanism is used to take in the IC card during game play, then the IC card is securely held, but maintenance operations and additional card operations cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates card management functions from maintenance and operational functions by creating distinct units. The card unit securely holds the IC card during gameplay, while the touch unit with wireless communication capability enables maintenance operations and additional card operations without requiring physical card access, thus resolving the contradiction between security and maintainability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reading and writing of information to IC cards during gameplay, facilitating maintenance and enhancing user experience through simplified operations.
Implementation Method 1
an IC card writer for storing information pertinent to a play outcome on the gaming machine (for example, credit-related data) in an IC card (for example, an IC card 1500) through wireless communication
Implementation Method 2
a touch unit (for example, a touch unit 1745 shown in FIG. 8) including an IC device reader for reading information from an IC device (for example, an IC card 1500 or a mobile phone) including an IC chip through the wireless communication
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a player tracking device which is operable, even when an IC card is taken into a gaming machine while a player is playing a game, to read or write information from or to another IC card or the like through a simplified touch operation. The player tracking device includes: a card unit for storing information pertinent to a play outcome on the gaming machine in an IC card through wireless communication; and a touch unit for reading information from another IC card through the wireless communication.