Remote Power Cycling via Gaming Platform Enhancement Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance operations for gaming machines are costly and time-consuming due to restricted access to the interior for security reasons, requiring multiple individuals and resulting in lost revenue and increased labor costs when issues require power cycling or other maintenance tasks.
Innovation Solution
A Gaming Platform Enhancement Module (GPEM) with power switching devices and wireless communication capabilities allows for remote power cycling and maintenance commands to be executed without accessing the interior of the gaming machine, using a power switching device configured to receive AC power and controlled by a controller that can wirelessly communicate with remote devices to change the power state of the gaming machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locked enclosures and security systems are implemented to prevent unauthorized access, then security and regulatory compliance are improved, but maintenance access and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A remote interface device is introduced as an intermediary between maintenance personnel and the gaming machine's locked enclosure. This device communicates with the machine's controller through existing communication ports (such as service ports or network connections) and transmits power cycle commands without requiring physical access to the interior. The intermediary approach maintains security by not compromising locked enclosures while enabling remote maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically opening locked enclosures and manually accessing internal components with an electronic/communication-based system. Maintenance commands are transmitted electronically through communication interfaces, substituting the mechanical access process with a digital command transmission process that bypasses physical security barriers while achieving the same maintenance objective.
2Reliability
If multiple individuals with keys are required for maintenance access, then security control is improved, but labor costs and maintenance time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine is equipped with self-service capabilities through the remote interface device, allowing maintenance operations to be performed without human physical intervention. The system can receive and execute power cycle commands remotely through communication interfaces, enabling the machine to service itself by resetting its power state without requiring maintenance personnel to physically access the interior. This eliminates the need for multiple key holders while maintaining security control through authenticated remote command transmission.
3Ease of operation
If physical access to interior components is required for power cycling, then direct control is improved, but downtime and revenue loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote interface device is pre-configured with communication capabilities and authenticated access to the gaming machine's controller before maintenance is needed. Power cycle commands can be transmitted immediately when required, eliminating the preliminary steps of locating key holders, coordinating access, and physically opening enclosures. The system maintains direct control through pre-established communication channels while enabling immediate power cycling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming device for a gaming machine is described. The gaming device can be configured to implement commands related to performing maintenance operations on the gaming machine. The commands can be initiated from a remote device, such as mobile device, separate from the gaming machine and the gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming peripheral can be coupled to a power switching device on the gaming machine. A number of devices on the gaming machine, such as game controller, can be configured to receive power that is routed through the power switching device. The gaming device can be configured to receive a command from a remote device to cycle power on the gaming machine using the power switching device. In one example, the power can be cycled on the gaming machine to clear an error condition.