Side Bet Progressive Metering for Mixed-Denomination Bingo Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming systems lack the ability to provide variability in base game and side bet game combinations, accept different input amounts, provide a progressive jackpot eligible only in a side bet game, combine and convert denominations, normalize output data, generate and update help pages, and efficiently convert Class III games to Class II games.
Innovation Solution
The system allows for variability in base game and side bet game combinations, accepts different input amounts, provides a progressive jackpot eligible only in a side bet game, combines and converts denominations, normalizes output data, generates and updates help pages, and efficiently converts Class III games to Class II games by storing paytables and help pages at a server for remote transmission to gaming devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system accepts different input amounts for base game and side bet game, then gaming flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple denomination handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that handles the complexity of multiple denomination conversions and paytable management. The gaming device itself remains relatively simple, while the server performs the complex calculations for translating between different denominations (e.g., 1-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent) and managing the progressive jackpot across different game types. This distributes the complexity from the device to the server infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to handle multiple game types (base games, side bet games, progressive games) and multiple denominations within a single unified platform. The gaming device can accept different input amounts and process them through a universal metering system that translates all denominations to a common reporting format, allowing one device to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized devices.
2Productivity
If the system combines base game and side bet game outcomes, then productivity is improved by processing both in one system, but measurement precision deteriorates due to denomination conversion challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the denomination parameters based on the specific game type and wager amount. The metering system translates all outcomes to a standardized reporting denomination (e.g., 1-cent base) while maintaining the ability to display and process in the original wager denomination. This parameter transformation ensures that productivity is improved through unified processing while measurement precision is maintained through accurate conversion calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where outcomes from both base games and side bet games are processed, converted, and fed back into the progressive metering system. The server receives outcome data, performs denomination translations, and updates the progressive jackpot accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that all games contribute accurately to the progressive while maintaining precise tracking of each game type's specific payout structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If paytables and help pages are stored at a server, then ease of manufacture is improved by reducing local storage requirements, but loss of information increases due to remote transmission dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage of paytables, help pages, and game logic from the local gaming device and places it on a remote server. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing of individual gaming devices, as they no longer require large amounts of local storage capacity or complex firmware updates. The devices become thinner clients that retrieve their operational data from the server, reducing manufacturing complexity and enabling easier remote updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-stores and manages all paytables, help pages, and game configuration data before the gaming devices need them. This preliminary action allows the server to prepare and validate all game data centrally, ensuring consistency across multiple devices. When devices connect to the server, they receive pre-processed, validated information, reducing the risk of data errors and ensuring that all devices operate with the same approved content.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming system including a memory and a processor is described. The processor is configured to receive a first input amount for an electronic game associated with a first bingo card and receive a second input amount for a side electronic game associated with a second bingo card. The processor is also configured to determine an outcome for the electronic game based upon a ball call and the first bingo card and determine an outcome for the side electronic game based upon the ball call and the second bingo card. The processor is also configured to translate the first input amount from a first format to a reporting format, translate the second input amount from a second format to the reporting format, and transmit game data to a server wherein the game data includes a translated total input amount in the reporting format and a total output amount.