Serial Network Switch for Auxiliary Gaming Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic gaming machines have limited serial ports, making it difficult and costly to add new or enhanced features without re-approval from regulatory bodies, which discourages casino operators from upgrading or improving existing machines.

Innovation Solution

A serial network switch is introduced to provide auxiliary serial communication ports, allowing for additional functionality and security enhancements without modifying existing hardware, by routing and authenticating serial traffic between multiple ports and enabling communication with existing slot accounting systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electronic gaming machines are manufactured with a discrete number of physical ports, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability and functionality are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of serial portsVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A serial network switch is introduced as an intermediary device between the electronic gaming machine and the slot accounting system. The switch has a first port coupled to the gaming machine and multiple second ports that can connect to additional devices, enabling multiple serial communication channels without modifying the original gaming machine structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The serial communication functionality is segmented into separate components: the original gaming machine maintains its single serial port, while the serial network switch provides additional ports. This segmentation allows the gaming machine to remain simple while the system gains extended functionality through the switch's multiple ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic gaming machines are modified to incorporate new features, then functionality is enhanced, but regulatory re-approval is required which is expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality enhancementVSAvoidregulatory re-approval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The serial network switch serves as an intermediary that enables functionality enhancements without modifying the regulated gaming machine. New features can be added by connecting additional devices to the switch's second ports, bypassing the need for regulatory re-approval of the gaming machine itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the regulated component (gaming machine) from the unregulated enhancement component (serial network switch and connected devices). This allows functionality to be expanded through the switch without triggering regulatory re-approval requirements for the gaming machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional serial ports are added to electronic gaming machines, then communication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserial communication capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding multiple serial ports directly to the gaming machine, a serial network switch is used as a mediator. The switch provides the additional port functionality externally, keeping the gaming machine's manufacturing simple and cost-effective while still achieving enhanced communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The serial network switch serves multiple functions: it provides additional serial ports, enables connection to multiple devices, and maintains compatibility with the existing gaming machine interface. This multi-functionality achieves enhanced communication capability without increasing gaming machine manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20210166525A1Apparatus for retrofit of auxiliary serial communication port(s) in a slot accounting system

Publication Date: 2021.06.03 JCM AMERICAN CORP

AI summary

A serial network switch for an electronic gaming machine adds auxiliary serial ports suitable for communication with an existing slot accounting system in a casino gaming environment.