Remote Gaming System Link Failure Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote gaming systems face issues such as communication link failures during games, inability to pause play without session termination, and lack of compatibility with off-the-shelf mobile devices, leading to player frustration and increased costs for casinos.
Innovation Solution
A mobile gaming system that uses commercially available tablets or smartphones to remotely connect with licensed gaming machines, allowing players to pause sessions, maintain game continuity during link disruptions, and switch between machines, while ensuring compliance with jurisdictional regulations and optimizing 3D image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a communications link is established between the tablet and gaming machine for remote play, then the player can remotely access and play the gaming machine, but the game is terminated if the link is broken during gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The system buffers game video frames and state information in advance on both the gaming machine and tablet. When a communication link failure occurs, the buffered data allows the game to continue without termination, preventing player frustration and maintaining game integrity despite the broken connection.
2Productivity
If the system automatically terminates playing sessions after a maximum time between games is exceeded, then idle machine time is reduced, but players cannot pause play for legitimate reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts session termination rules based on player actions. When a player initiates a game, the maximum time between games counter is suspended, allowing legitimate pauses during active gameplay. The system transitions between different operational states (idle vs. active) to provide appropriate behavior for each condition, balancing machine utilization with player flexibility.
3Reliability
If customized gaming tablets are provided for each licensed gaming machine, then device compatibility and control are ensured, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal tablet platform that can communicate with multiple different licensed gaming machines through standardized communication protocols. The gaming machine serves as the primary control device, while the tablet acts as a remote interface, eliminating the need to customize tablets for each machine type and significantly reducing system costs while maintaining compatibility and control.
4Measurement precision
If the gaming machine displays video frames during link failure, then outcome verification is enabled, but the player experience is degraded by requiring physical return to the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet serves as an intermediary device that receives and displays game video frames and outcome information wirelessly during link failures. Instead of requiring the player to physically return to the gaming machine to view stored frames, the tablet continuously buffers and displays the game state, allowing players to verify outcomes conveniently from their remote location while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile gaming device may be a player's own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi. The mobile device operates as a user interface. While the player is playing one game on the mobile device, the venue's system recommends other games to the player via the player's tablet either based on the player's past gaming history, if the player used a player tracking card, or based on real time game play, if the player is anonymous. Upon the player selecting a different game, the system automatically transfers communications to a different gaming terminal and transfers the player's credits. The gaming terminals may be gaming machines, where each gaming machine carries out a different game.