Token-Based License Sharing for Gaming Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In jurisdictions with limited gaming machine licenses, operators face underutilization of licenses due to the one-to-one association of physical machines with legal operation, leading to unfulfilled consumer demand and reduced profits.
Innovation Solution
A system of token-enabled and non-enabled states for wagering game terminals, where tokens are used to control the operation of machines, allowing more machines to be utilized legally by decoupling physical capacity from actual operation, with a server managing token allocation to ensure compliance with licensing limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of gaming terminals is increased to meet consumer demand, then customer service capability is improved, but license compliance is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of gaming terminals based on real-time token availability. Terminals transition between enabled and disabled states according to whether they possess valid tokens, allowing the system to adapt to changing demand while maintaining license compliance through centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
Tokens serve as intermediary objects that mediate between the limited license supply and the demand for gaming services. Instead of directly limiting terminal access, the system uses tokens as a controllable intermediary resource that terminals must acquire to operate, enabling flexible allocation while maintaining compliance
2Reliability
If the number of operational gaming terminals is limited to match license count, then license compliance is maintained, but license utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Tokens are designed as universal resources that can enable any licensed terminal regardless of its physical location or specific configuration. A single token pool serves multiple terminals, allowing the same license resource to be flexibly allocated across different machines based on real-time demand, thereby increasing overall license utilization while maintaining compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating tokens to terminals before they become operational. Terminals must acquire tokens in advance through the allocation system, ensuring that when terminals do operate, they are guaranteed to have the necessary licensing rights, thus maintaining compliance while enabling flexible deployment
3Adaptability or versatility
If tokens are allocated to multiple terminals, then license utilization is improved, but token management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex token management functionality from individual terminals and concentrates it in a centralized allocation system. This separation allows terminals to remain relatively simple while the centralized system handles the complexity of tracking, allocating, and revoking tokens across the entire network, reducing overall system complexity despite multiple token holders
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for sharing wagering game licenses among multi- state terminals are provided. Each example terminal may include a token-enabled state and a non-token- enabled state. Each token may be associated with a license for the operation of a wagering game. A token pool may be administered by a host. A terminal at which a customer has indicated a desire to play a wagering game may request a token from the token pool administrating host. The request may be queued if a token is not available, or the requesting terminal may be issued a token. Thus, an unlimited number of multi-state terminals may be operated, while no more than a predetermined quantity of the terminals may be providing a wagering game at any one time.