Prize Value Determination Using Distributed Terminal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and size of secondary games in gaming systems, such as jackpot systems, lead to security issues due to the proliferation of prize values, which can be abused by venue operators or employees, and diminish gamer interest as the mystery of prize awards becomes less engaging.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes memory for storing prize data, an input device for incrementing accumulating values, a comparator to determine prize awards, and a processor for refreshing prize values within defined ranges, ensuring that prize values change dynamically between upper and lower limits, maintaining gamer engagement and enhancing security by preventing abuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prize values are stored in memory on the jackpot system, then the system can track and award prizes, but the prize values become vulnerable to abuse by operators or employees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the prize value determination function from the central jackpot system memory and implements it at the gaming terminal level. Each terminal independently determines prize values using its own processor and random number generator, eliminating the vulnerability of centralized storage to operator abuse while maintaining system-wide prize tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary random determination of prize values at each gaming terminal before the jackpot award is finalized. This preliminary action ensures that prize values are cryptographically secured and cannot be manipulated by operators, while still allowing the central system to track and verify awards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prize levels are provided with accumulating values, then gamer engagement increases, but the complexity and size of the secondary game increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prize determination function across multiple independent gaming terminals, each handling its own prize level calculations. This segmentation maintains the engaging multi-level jackpot structure while distributing system complexity across individual terminals rather than concentrating it in a central system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each gaming terminal performs self-service by independently determining its own prize values and managing its accumulating values without requiring centralized control. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining multiple engaging prize levels through distributed autonomous operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If prize values are made unknown to gamers, then mystery and engagement are maintained, but the system must securely protect prize data from unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries between the prize value data and the gamers. Random number generators and cryptographic algorithms act as intermediaries that protect the mystery of prize values while ensuring security through mathematical principles, allowing gamers to engage with unknown values without creating security vulnerabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (1) is disclosed for determining the award of a prize. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing prize data indicative of a prize value for the prize. An input device (4) is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (6) for providing an increment signal. An increment device (8) is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing an accumulating value. A comparator (15) is responsive to the prize data and the accumulating value for determining if the prize is to be awarded and, if not, generating a continue signal. A processor (15) is responsive to the continue signal for refreshing the prize data.