On-Demand Tournament Gaming System with Central Server Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tournament systems in casinos require dedicated space, specific configuration of gaming machines, and manual administration, limiting accessibility and increasing costs, as they necessitate a separate area, standardized machines, and timed events.
Innovation Solution
A tournament gaming system that allows players to initiate and participate in tournaments on-demand using existing gaming machines, with a central server managing configurations and scores, enabling concurrent play across various machines and locations without the need for dedicated spaces or machine reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated gaming machines are re-configured and located in a special area for tournaments, then tournament fairness and control are improved, but accessibility and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machines are designed to serve dual purposes: they function as standard gaming machines during normal operation and automatically transform into tournament-capable machines when a tournament is initiated. The central controller enables any connected gaming machine to participate in tournaments without physical relocation or permanent reconfiguration, making the entire casino floor a potential tournament venue.
Solution Approach 2:
A central controller acts as an intermediary between the casino management system and individual gaming machines. This controller distributes tournament parameters, collects score data, and coordinates tournament execution across multiple machines without requiring the machines themselves to be permanently configured for tournaments. The intermediary enables flexible tournament organization while maintaining standard machine operations.
2Extent of automation
If gaming machines are manually collected and re-configured for tournaments, then tournament control is improved, but time and labor costs are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-establishing communication links between the central controller and gaming machines, and by having tournament parameters ready in the central system. When a tournament is initiated, the controller automatically distributes these pre-prepared parameters to participating machines, eliminating the need for manual setup during the tournament window.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming machines automatically receive and implement tournament parameters from the central controller without requiring manual intervention. The machines self-configure by accepting remote commands, automatically track tournament scores, and transmit results back to the central system, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration and score collection.
3Device complexity
If specific start and end times are enforced for tournaments, then tournament structure is improved, but player flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tournament system dynamically adapts to player availability and casino conditions. Rather than enforcing rigid predetermined time slots, the controller can initiate tournaments at flexible times based on current gaming machine status, player participation levels, and casino traffic patterns. Tournament duration and scheduling parameters can be adjusted in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows tournament parameters including start time, end time, and duration to be dynamically modified. The central controller can adjust these parameters based on real-time conditions such as player demand, machine availability, and tournament performance metrics, providing both structural organization and operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player's eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player's selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player.